Ian Evans is spinning his wheels in anticipation of a cycling trip of a lifetime.
By turning it into a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity (HFH) of Wellington County, he is hoping his trip to Australia will also help area families experience a home for a lifetime in Centre Wellington.
Evans is set to begin a solo cycling journey from Perth to Sydney, that will take him between 4,500 to 5,500kms, in a period of approximately two months.
“I should be able to do 100kms a day,” Evans said. “That’s what I’ve done on previous trips, on average.”
His ride is a Tri-Cross specialized, heavily modified frame and wheels with an antique leather seat. But his load will consist of a tent and sleeping bag, gear for camping the entire route, and his food supplies.
“There will be between 115 to 120 pounds on the bike, without my weight. It’s hard on the bike and hard on the body, particularly the knees” Evans said of his mode of transportation. Yet the reality does nothing to deter his spirit.
“It should take me about 50 days of biking,” he said, adding, “But I have to consider that I am going through a desert as well,” which requires him to be flexible for uncertain conditions.
The trip will include such varied terrain as the Nullarbor Desert and the major city streets of Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.
Evans, a semi-retired chartered accountant from Elora, is a seasoned cyclist, having completed several long distance expeditions on his bike with a few friends along for the experience.
Adventures have included a 2010 trip cycling the length of the United Kingdom, known as “LeJog, the great British End to End” which takes a cycling route from Lands End to John O’Groats, a total of 1,407kms.
A trip from the Canadian shores of the Pacific to the Arctic Ocean was a great challenge.
“We took the upmost northerly engineered road in Canada, some 1,600kms, and half of it was gravel,” he said.
With his friend Rick Goodfellow, the two cycle enthusiasts toured around Iceland – a friendship that inspired Evan’s fundraising initiatives in Australia.
Goodfellow is involved with the fundraising for Habitat for Humanity of Wellington County and that inspired Evan’s plans to turn his Australia trip into a fundraiser.
“It’s a great cause and it’s local,” Evans said. “I am happy to support Rick’s fundraising efforts, but this is also a world wide organization, and I hope I will bring some recognition to them in Australia, too.”
Goodfellow believes his friend’s abilities to draw attention to the cause and the Australian adventure will ensure Evans’ fundraising success.
“He’s so well organized and leaves no stone unturned, with his website featuring a video, his recent radio interview and making it easy for people to donate to the cause,” Goodfellow said.
“Of the many potential organizations Ian could have supported, I am glad he has chosen ours.”
Setting a fundraising target of $15,000, Evans started raising funds from friends and colleagues from around the world, but he will require public support too.
“I will be blogging about my journey and people can donate securely by going to my website at www.mytripjournal.com/iandownunder,” Evans said. “As well as the ride being a personal odyssey, I will be raising funds for Habitat for Humanity and any money raised will help build homes for two deserving families in Fergus”
Goodfellow confirmed all monies raised will go directly to support the coming build of a semi-detached home in Fergus.
“I wish I was sharing this adventure with him,” Goodfellow told the Advertiser. “I know that Ian will be successful and this will add another adventure to an already healthy list of accomplishments.”
Evans’ first stop will be the post office in Perth, to pick up his vacuum-packed food portions, shipped from home. Food will be sent ahead in portions to his next major stop throughout the route. He will have to calculate his rations carefully.
His unsupported solo ride begins April 28, and Evans is excited to get peddling, because cycling is his passion.
“It is one of the most efficient methods of transportation known to man,” he said. “Apart from that, it is a great way to see a country – faster than walking, but better than a vehicle as you are in the fresh air and moving at the pace of the country.”
To support Evan’s fundraising ride for Centre Wellington builds of Habitat for Humanity of Wellington County, visit www.mytripjournal.com/iandownunder.
