Pedal 360
In summer 2010, I leave Derby, UK, beginning a solo cycle expedition around the world. Heading East through Europe and the Middle East, over the Himalayas and down through South East Asia to Australia.
To then cycle up the West coast of the Americas before heading back through North Africa, Western Europe and home. An adventure to test both physical and mental endurance, rewarding me with access to some of the least visited and most inspiring people and places on the planet.
Although a journey of great personal aspiration, I am riding to absorb myself into the everyday lives of the places I visit and to find interesting ways of communicating my experiences. As an internationally affordable means of transport, the bicycle not only overcomes geographical distance but also the separation of wealth, class and politics. I hope these virtues buy me opportunities that could only arise through self powered travel and to gain an intimate glimpse of a global community.
A global project like this also offers an opportunity for many others to benefit. An integral part of building this project is to work with the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre a fantastic charity which currently brings 450 residential holiday opportunities for children of less fortunate backgrounds in the local community. I want to significantly increase the number of holiday opportunities that are available for those children. Please follow the link and visit my site to help me.
http://www.pedal360.com/
Through documenting the journey on my website, an awareness can hopefully be raised of international social and political issues en route, with the hope that sharing this experience can encourage world citizenship and help educate in the responsibilities and privileges we possess in the Western world.
Leigh Timmis, March 2010.