An Epic Journey


Please read this it is confirmation that I am more than a little mad, it might make you laugh.
Starting at Whitby on the 29th March I begin an epic journey, I am cycling to New Zealand over land, on my own, self supported and self funded. Yes on a bicycle, 2 wheels and no engine. This is a trip of approximately 26000 kilometres, which I plan to cover in about 9 months, to achieve this I must ride a minimum of 100 kilometres every day for the 260 days. I will be carrying everything I require with me; so my bike and all my kit, plus food and water will weigh in at close to 60 kilos on the more remote parts of my trip.

To give you an idea of what is involved in this, once leaving the tarmac of Europe behind I will take on the heat of the deserts of Iran where heat rises to 70° before taking the easy route to avoid Afghanistan! This will take me to the Pamir highway, in an area known as the roof of the world, the road here rises to over 4000 meters.
I will then spend several weeks in the Himalayas in China following a route that will take me over 19 passes; all over 3500 meters and some up to nearly 5000 meters, with a cycle ride to visit to Everest base camp thrown in; then onward then to Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia with the heat, humidity and the bugs of the jungle to contend with. Now it is time to take it easy a trip across the water to Australia, once again back in to the oven, from Darwin to Sydney, I will hit this area at the start of summer not a good time to be in the Australian out back, Then my penultimate sea crossing to Auckland New Zealand to do the equivalent of lands end to John O'Groats and finally returning home to the South Island and my very patient wife and 2 sons in Temuka.

So why I guess most of you will want to know? Many reason but I guess there is just that Spirit of adventure in me and once there it lives with you always, and this is why I am asking for your help. Not for me but for children to help set a passion in their lives so no matter from what background they come from or physical ability they have, they all have the chance of stepping out of that comfort zone, and may be just once in there lives let them feel the natural high of adventure that can change them forever.

I could have picked one of the more normal charities, but they get a lot of support from the big events, marathons, sponsored walks etc. For such a big undertaking I wanted to do something for a trust that gets little in the way of help, but provides something for children no matter what.

Spirit of Adventure Trust

When I saw their name it instantly appealed The Spirit of Adventure Trust.

Hopefully you have stayed with me on this long mail, I am not just asking for your help, but for you to ask your friends and family too, its not often you get to hear about someone doing something a little crazy, but I am someone a lot of you know. I am trying to raise £20,000+ for my efforts. I will be trying to raise money in many ways but just a few here

1. Sponsorship per thousand kilometres / or for the complete trip
2. Sweep stake for a Bottle of Champagne or £25 cash if you don't drink; to guess how long it will take to the nearest hour
3. Sweep stake for a Bottle of Champagne or £25 cash if you don't drink; to guess the nearest kilometre

Please remember that I will be cycling the equivalent distance to 700 kilometres a week for 37 weeks that is the same distance as 15 marathons every week for 37 weeks, now the effort used in riding is far less than running but it does give you a real comparison, and if you look at the route I am taking this is a real challenge

You can reach me any time on my email which is. Richard on tour

Why? ---- Kit List ---- The Route ---- Photo Album---- Role of Honour---- Home Country information---- Site Map