THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED US RAISE $12,000!
Together, We'll Make a Difference!
Help us support the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research
Together, We'll Make a Difference!
Help us support the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research
The reason I ride
Story of this journey
My name is Thomas Taylor, aka Tommy T. I am a 70-year-old retired plumbing contractor from
Barstow, CA. On August 15 th , 2021, I lost my bride, my soulmate, and the love of my life
Thokozile Kesiilwe-Taylor to complications associated with the insidious and little understood
inflammatory disease Sarcoidosis. Thoko was a beautiful and intelligent registered nurse from
Soweto a small township in Johannesburg, South Africa. Who had moved to the US and we
married in April of 2008.
The summer of 2021 was a watershed moment for our family, as we lost Thoko on August 15 th
and two weeks earlier we lost 23-year-old Jason to heart failure, and 41-year-old Joshua to a
motorcycle accident in the same day. Thoko was laid to rest in her beloved country of South
Africa where the idea of this bike tour came to fruition. A casual conversation with my nephew
Vusi planted the idea of the bike tour as a way to deal with my profound grief.
With a desire to heighten awareness and increase attention to this debilitating disease, I began
planning and training. I had not ridden a bike much in over 40-years, nonetheless I began to
share my plans with my supportive family. I contacted an old friend, who I hitchhiked across the
country with 50-years prior and invited him to join me. His name is John David Norton aka JD,
and he immediately said yes.
Now fully vested in the idea, I sold my successful plumbing contracting business and bought a
touring bicycle to begin my training. So, with humility and sincerity, I thank everyone who
follows and support this adventure. A special thanks to my loving and supportive family and
friends.
Most of all this is for you Thoko and for whom my love, respect, and gratitude will never die!
Learn More About Sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis (pronounced SAR-COY-DOE-SIS) is an inflammatory disease characterized by the formation of granulomas—tiny clumps of inflammatory cells—in one or more organs of the body. When the immune system goes into overdrive and too many of these clumps form, they can interfere with an organ’s structure and function.
Press Along the Way
The Riders
Thomas Taylor
Thomas Taylor
Thomas Taylor
JD Norton
Thomas Taylor
Thomas Taylor
Daily Instagram Feed
The JOURNEY
Santa Monica
Boston Harbor
The Distance
We will start our journey on April 7th, 2023 in Santa Monica, CA.
The Distance
Boston Harbor
The Distance
3,400 - 3,600 miles
Boston Harbor
Boston Harbor
Boston Harbor
We hope to conclude our journey at the Boston Harbor.
Cities We'll Be Stopping In
THANK YOU all for helping us make a difference!
THANK YOU all for helping us make a difference!
Your contribution will enable us to support our continued efforts to better understand this silent killer.
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