In memory of Steve Cawthorne a world traveller who sadly passed away whilst still doing what he loved, riding his bike.
Here you will find copies of some letters that Steve sent to Paul Mullis and a selection of photographs (kindly supplied by Steve’s family) of his tour through Alaska, Canada, North America, South America and Australia, from August 1990 to July 1993.
In a Hammock, Between two Trees, Outside a Bar, Middle of Nowhere, Nr Brazilian/Peruvian Border, 10th October 1991
Dear Paul, I decided to start another letter now and write it in instalments because I tend to forget things that happen and then remember them again after I've written. 1st instalment - 10th October. I hung around for a few days on the road South through Venezuela...
A tent somewhere in South America, 18th September 1991
A tent somewhere in South America18th Sept 1991 Dear Paul, I thought I would drop you another line while I was doing nothing much, otherwise it might be months. I'm glad you eventually got the letter from Honduras although when I wrote it I never imagined that I would...
Copan, Honduras, 1st May 1991
Copan, Honduras.1.5.91 Ey Up, I was just sitting around killing time, thinking its a long time since I wrote a few letters, when it dawned on me that Honduras is the cheapest place I've been for postage, so now is as good a time as any. A letter to Europe costs 1...
San Felipe, Baja, Mexico 10th January 1991
10.1.91San FelipeBaja Mexico Dear Paul, From the Captain's log I see I wrote to you from Death Valley back in October. Seems like it was another year, so much has happened since then. I couldn't begin to tell you where I've been so I won't bother. I finally rebuilt...
On the beach, Southern California, 18th December 1990
Dear All I’m sitting on the beach and it must be in the high 70’s. There’s towns and villages all along the coast but I can see about 5 miles of beach and count 3 people. Maybe they’re all at work (it’s Tuesday) of this is too cold for them. There’s a three masted...
By the fire by the river, Near Coranada, Mississippi, 19th November 1990
Dear All I’m shedding weight so decided to send some stuff back that I don’t need to carry. The boots have had some good use but not enough to justify carting them everywhere and I don’t think I’ll use them as much in the future. Please put them somewhere dry if...
By the river, Kerriville, Texas, 11th November 1990
Dear All I’ve lost track a bit ‘cos I think I must have forgotten the last letter I wrote when I was updating my log. Anyway, if I repeat some things it doesn’t matter. The people I met in Clearlake who live in S.F. have a fabulous place as I probably said on the card...
Clearlake, California, 19th October 1990
Dear All, Where was I? Just leaving Canada I think. I’ve just done far too many miles since then but I keep trying not to. After I stay somewhere for a couple of days I find the fabulous roads so keep zig-zagging around the mountains. I got cold in Idaho in the...
Ainsworth Hot Springs, British Columbia, 1st October 1990
Dear All, I left Gene’s place near Haines, Alaska on the 13th after spending all day smoking salmon in the smokehouse (not in cigarettes). Caught the Marine Highway 400m to Prince Rupert. It takes 1.5 days and calls at towns all the way down that have no roads to...
Middle of the woods, South of Haines, Alaska, 12th September 1990
Dear all, Decided it was time to slow down a bit or else I’d run out of America soon. Had a hard frost at Whitehorse but that was two weeks ago now. Went to the coast and it’s been mild ever since. I stayed in Skagway for 4 days (good pub) and met some people who fish...