Daniel Burton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Daniel P. Burton
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Burton at completion of first bike ride from coast of Antarctica to the South Pole
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Daniel Paul Burton
December 4, 1963 |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Public speaker and entrepreneur |
| Known for | First person to bike to the South Pole |
Daniel Paul Burton (born December 4, 1963) is an American adventurer and cyclist from Eagle Mountain, Utah. He is famous for being the first person to ride a bicycle all the way from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole.
Daniel started his amazing journey, called "The South Pole Epic," on December 2, 2013. He began at a place called Hercules Inlet and reached the South Pole on January 21, 2014.
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Daniel's Journey to Adventure
Daniel Burton used to be a computer programmer. When he was in his 40s, he realized he wasn't very active. He went for a health check-up and found his cholesterol and blood pressure were high. He also weighed a bit more than he should.
Finding a Passion for Biking
To get healthier, Daniel started mountain biking. He loved it so much that in 2008, he opened his own bike shop in Saratoga Springs, Utah, called Epic Biking. He also completed a long bike race called the LOTOJA Classic six times.
Daniel wanted to do something even bigger. He decided to ride his bike to the South Pole! He hoped this incredible journey would inspire other people to be active. He also wanted to raise money for the American Diabetes Association. Daniel rode in honor of his mother, who passed away in 2012 due to health problems related to high cholesterol.
The South Pole Expedition
To prepare for his trip, Daniel started riding special bikes called fatbikes. These bikes have very wide tires that are perfect for riding on sand, ice, and snow. He was inspired by another explorer, Eric Larsen, who tried to bike to the South Pole in 2012 but had to turn back.
The Epic Ride Begins
Daniel trained for a whole year. On December 2, 2013, he began his "South Pole Epic" adventure. He started at Hercules Inlet in Antarctica. He rode a special fatbike called a Borealis Yampa.
Daniel cycled about 775 miles (1,247 kilometers) across the icy continent. He faced extreme cold and difficult terrain. Finally, on January 21, 2014, he reached the Geographic South Pole, making history as the first person to bike there from the coast.
See also
- List of Antarctic cycling expeditions
