The push into the Himalayas

A BIG hello to all my friends and family from Northern Thailand!

Updates

The Cycle Strongman Expedition (CSX) is in full steam and approaching its second year. Hard to believe that a nearly a year ago I pedalled from Newcastle, Australia full of enthusiasm with a bold ambition to cycle the globe! Today I am living  that dream. Thirteen thousand kilometres  later, that cheeky smile I left with and that same enthusiasm continues to snowball the longer I travel, the more I learn and the further I explore.

The CSX continues to go from strength to strength and, after a brief rest in Northern Thailand, the expedition will continue to push north into Northern Laos and Southern China. With the relative ease of cycling through SE Asia and completing  Stage 1 of the expedition, the real test soon starts with the climb over the Himalayas – six epic 5000 metre passes on the road to Lhasa. A real test of strength and determination.

Stay tuned as the expedition posts from the Thailand leg are posted on the CSX website in the next few weeks.

Developments

With some time on my hands recently and having met some incredibly interesting and inspiring people over the last 11 months, I’ve decided to extend the expedition for a year by riding through India, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. With the change in seasons and Himalayan passes freezing over for six months of the year, this detour will add an extra year and approx 7000km to the journey.

Support

I can’t even begin to try and capture the kindness and hospitality I’ve been shown over the past 11 months. Words cannot express the deep gratitude I feel for those that have helped the expedition thus far. It simply needs to be experienced to be believed. From the Barramundi feasts in the remote outback, sea passage to Bali, hospitality shown by remote fishing villages, people exchanging contacts to make this journey a little easier, fellow cyclists sharing adventures, friends of friends who’ve helped both home and abroad and complete strangers that bought me a free meal or the occasional beer. Locals often ask if I’m doing this alone. I try and explain to them that I’m not alone –  I’m doing this with you. Some understand and for others it’s  perhaps lost in the translation, but that is the essence of this journey.

I am also very grateful to all the sponsors that helped make this expedition possible, particularly the major sponsor, Veolia Environmental and the consistent support from Rohloff Australia. To all of you I express my deepest gratitude that helps reinforce my belief and faith in our shared and common humanity.

BUT, the expedition needs your support. With the help of Hannah Perkins, the CSX has raised over $2600 for Oxfam Australia. A great start! Through the expedition we’re aiming to raise $100,000 AUD for Oxfam. That’s $1 for every kilometre travelled! Hannah and I have also been visiting a number of Oxfam Projects throughout Thailand and been inspired by their projects and touched by the gratitude of those that they’ve helped.

Please help support the expedition by donating to Oxfam Australia. (http://www.everydayhero.com.au/TheCycleStrongmanExpedition). Even if it’s just a small contribution, EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS!

Looking forward to staying in touch with you all and sharing in this adventure as it continues to unfold.

Happy and safe cycling!

Chris