Bothell resident completes cross-state bicycle journey in memory of late wife

Bothell resident Mark Gorow completed his five day bike trip Friday from Seattle to Spokane. It was a journey, he said, that was accompanied by the spirit of his wife. "It was a time of solitude and a time to think," said Gorow. "I felt like she was on the ride with me." Aug. 27 marked the first of Gorow's five-day trip in honor of his late wife, Shwulih, who passed away in 2005 from an inoperable brain tumor. She was 45.

By Andy Nystrom and Raechel Dawson • September 4, 2012 8:39 pm
Mark Gorow during this year's Seattle-to-Portland ride.
Mark Gorow during this year's Seattle-to-Portland ride.

Bothell resident Mark Gorow completed his five day bike trip Friday from Seattle to Spokane. It was a journey, he said, that was accompanied by the spirit of his wife.

“It was a time of solitude and a time to think,” said Gorow. “I felt like she was on the ride with me.”

Aug. 27 marked the first of Gorow’s five-day trip in honor of his late wife, Shwulih, who passed away in 2005 from an inoperable brain tumor. She was 45.

To prepare, he rode about 50-100 miles a day, and has participated in the two-day, 200-mile Seattle-to-Portland event the last four years. 

His daughter, Zoe Gorow, a Bothell resident, saw Mark off at 8 a.m. Monday in Seattle from the Swedish Hospital Neuroscience Institute on Cherry Hill. He stayed with his other daughter Felicia Gorow on day 3 and four other motels along the way.

Mark’s ride raised $1,800 and awareness for the 2012 Seattle Brain Cancer Walk and Team Shwulih. He tweeted and blogged throughout his trip at www.twitter.com/cyclingforawalk and http://cyclingforawalk.wordpress.com/.

The cyclist rode first to Cle Elum, then to Wenatchee, Moses Lake and Ritzville before hitting Spokane on Aug. 31. He rode 60 miles a day on average with a high of 80 and a low of 45.

He described the worst day was his 45 mile ride from Moses Lake and Ritzville.

“There was absolutely nothing,” Mark said. “It was only part of the ride, about four or five hours, but it seemed a lot longer.”

But the most rewarding part was the overwhelming support from friends, family and strangers along the way who said he inspired them.

“I’m so proud of him. For him to able to do this as his own healing process is really commendable,” said Felicia, who noted that Mark drove back to Seattle after finishing his journey.

Shwulih, who was born in Taichung, Taiwan, met Mark at the University of Washington in 1984 and they were married three years later.

“Six years ago, I started riding as a way to cope with the loss of my wife. For me, it was challenging myself to do something like this to keep me going.”

Mark, who works in King County Metro’s Web department, said he hopes to be able to raise money for the Brain Cancer walk again in the same way but maybe next year there will be a different, slightly harder route.

“For good or bad,” Gorow said, “I have this thing about topping myself.”