AN Ottery man dedicated completing an epic charity cycle ride across America to his ‘amazing’ granddad - who died while he was taking on the feat.
Former soldier Jon Gooch learned of the bereavement while tackling the gruelling 2,000-mile challenge across Route 66.
He said his grandfather, Norman, was his number one supporter and was ‘very proud’ of what Jon, 26, and friend John Mathieson were doing.
The duo braved 100 degree heat and battled seized muscles and bad sunburn on the three-week trek from Chicago to Santa Monica in California.
They even had a knife pulled on them by a mugger.
The ride was in aid of the FireFighters Charity.
Sainsbury’s employee Jon is currently training to be a retained firefighter in Ottery.
There is still time to donate, either directly to Jon at Sainsbury,s in Hind Street or online at http://www.justgiving.com/jonathan-gooch.
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