Franklin resident Bill Riddle says he likes to test himself, and over the last couple of years, his tests have included walking the entire perimeter of Florida and bicycling the West Coast from Seattle to San Diego.
Riddle, who is 32, is testing himself again this year with his fourth 2,000-mile canoe trip to the Gulf of Mexico.
On Saturday, Riddle’s canoe, loaded with a 40-day supply of food, embarked on the 4- to 5-month trip as he started in Franklin near the 8th Street bridge. He had just returned from a conditioning hike of more than 400 miles on the Appalachian Trail.
Riddle equips the canoe with a sail to take advantage of favorable winds and oars when the current slackens.
In some spots, there is no current, Riddle said.
At one stop, Riddle said he returned to his canoe to find it full of Chinese tourists taking photos who thanked him politely and went on their way.
Riddle’s goal is to be self-sufficient. He does not take a cell phone but sends an occasional letter or call to his parents, Rich and Eileen Riddle of Franklin.
Along the way, he earns some money by salvaging computers and TVs that are thrown in the river and selling the aluminum and copper content to recyclers in towns along the way. Riddle also fishes and traps.
Riddle said he likes to start the journey when the river is high to take advantage of the currents, and he frequently travels by night. He estimated it is possible to travel nearly 75 miles a day if conditions are just right.
Riddle said he makes little progress on days when weather, current, and wind aren’t favorable or miserable.
