Daniel Burton
Daniel P. Burton | |
---|---|
Born | Daniel Paul Burton December 4, 1963 |
Nationality | American |
Occupation(s) | Public Speaker and Entrepreneur |
Known for | First person to bike to the South Pole |
Website | epicbiking |
Daniel Paul Burton (born December 4, 1963) is an American bicycle enthusiast from Eagle Mountain, Utah[1] and the first person to complete an expedition from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole by bicycle.[2] Daniel started his expedition, The South Pole Epic,[3] on December 2, 2013 at Hercules Inlet and arrived at the South Pole on January 21, 2014.[4]
Background
Burton was a computer programmer by trade.[5] Twenty-three years into his career and out of shape in his 40s, Burton went to get his blood checked. His cholesterol numbers were terrible, his blood pressure was high and he was a bit overweight.[1] He started to mountain bike and in 2008 established a bike shop in Saratoga Springs called Epic Biking.[6] He finished the LOTOJA Classic six times and then wanted to do more. He decided to set out on his Antarctic ride to inspire people and to encourage donations to the American Diabetes Association. He also wanted to ride in honor of his mother, whose high cholesterol contributed to her death on November 30, 2012.[1]
The South Pole Epic
Burton started riding fatbikes, which are fortified bikes with wide tires that are intended for sand, ice and snow. He became interested in Eric Larsen's attempt to travel to the bottom of the world in 2012. Larsen made it a quarter of the way before turning around.[6] Training for a year, Burton set off on his South Pole Epic expedition December 2, 2013. He started at Hercules Inlet and rode 775 miles[7] until he reached the Geographic South Pole.
See also
References
- ^ a b c Allred, Cathy. "Eagle Mountain man first to ride bike to South Pole". Daily Herald. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
- ^ [1], Utah Man First to Ride to South Pole
- ^ "Expedition log". Epicsouthpole.blogspot.com. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
- ^ Salt Lake Tribune, Utah man sets a world record biking to the South Pole
- ^ Template:Cite isbn
- ^ a b Stewart, Lis. "The end of the world': South Pole cyclist seeks to inspire others' fitness goals". Go Skagit. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
- ^ "South Pole Epic by dpburton at Garmin Connect - Details". Connect.garmin.com. 2013-12-03. Retrieved 2014-07-17.