Activelife
CHALLENGE
CYCLING THE WORLD
James Peach is on the adventure of his life – to cycle around the world and raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust. This month he completes his challenge
T
he final weeks cycling from Budapest through Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, then finally into Belgium, the Netherlands and France were poignant. Sadly my journey would soon be ending so I tried to cherish every moment. But the adventure was far from over as I camped in stunning Slovakian fields on the shores of the Danube and was arrested by Czech police for cycling on the highway, before taking on the seemingly endless and impressively steep rolling hills of eastern Germany. But, as always, the people I met and the stunning scenery made any sweat, back pain or near misses with the law pale into insignificance. Approaching the border of Germany the earth flattened and cycle lanes appeared to help me through those final days (even if one did send me 10km in the wrong direction before suddenly stopping in a river). I stayed in Bruges for an evening before following the canals towards the coast and down into France, where I unexpectedly saw the sea. The beach came into view with the English Channel sparkling in the sunshine. I broke down into uncontrollable tears. There I was standing among hundreds of French holiday makers – a 31-year old, dirty, unwashed, stinking and
exhausted Englishman peering out to sea with tears streaming down my mucky, weather beaten face. It is a moment I will never forget. Following the coast down south of Dunkirk I shared some food with a group of hopeful immigrants before sleeping under a motorway bridge, probably my last one for a while. In the morning I jumped on a ferry and a short while later the white cliffs were in my sights and I was back on English soil. Some friends joined me for the two-day cycle into London, and the weather was kind enough to remind me of the country I had left – a good dose of wind and rain. Approaching London and pedalling through familiar streets was a peculiar feeling. But soon I was cycling down The Mall towards Buckingham Palace where a group of family and friends were waiting to greet me. After all the celebrating I was surprisingly pleased to be back on my bike again. All good adventures start at home so they should end there too. The two days I spent cycling back to Rutland, following the same route I had a year before, were beautiful. I am now very used to being alone, having only my thoughts as company, and all the celebrations were quite overwhelming. To be alone again was a welcome
relief. I arrived in Rutland on July 23, took the obligatory selfie with the county signpost and rolled on towards Uppingham where I stopped a few miles out to take stock. I thought of how I felt when I first left home, the knee pain in America and the heat of northern Australia. The craziness of south east Asia, the mix of danger and charm through India and Bangladesh. The peacefulness of Himalayan mountain tops and the delight of exploring the peculiarities of central Asia. The remarkable moment crossing the Bosphorus back on to European soil, and exploring rural corners of Europe. I thought of the people who had made the whole experience what it was, showing kindness, hospitality, and getting me out of trouble time after time. But now I must finish the job. I pedalled into Uppingham market place where a group of family and friends welcomed me home with a pint of Grainstore beer that went down very well. But finally, alone again, I cycled those final few miles to my home in Wing. Sailing down the lane where I first learnt to ride a bike to the house where I have always lived, to be greeted by my incredible and long-suffering mother for a long hug and a cup of tea. 27,000 kilometres, 36 countries, 1 year, and not a single regret. I was home at last.
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