UPDATE: Read the latest blog entry from Dr Steve as he finishes riding his first continent
Merlin supporter Dr Steve Fabes has embarked on an epic solo journey around the world, departing from London on 5 January, 2010. He has set out to travel the length of six continents, crossing the greatest land masses on earth… all by bicycle!
The journey is projected to take a whopping four and a half years, during which he will travel through approximately 50 countries and cover some 80,000 km (50,000 miles) - a distance equivalent to twice the circumference of the earth and over 80 times the length of Great Britain.
Steve is a doctor at Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospital in London as a Registrar. Steve’s particular area of interest is Neglected Tropical Diseases. He will trace a route through regions affected by these, and will witness first-hand their effect on local populations. Steve is also hoping to visit a few Merlin programmes along the way too!
For this ultimate challenge event, Steve aims to raise £50,000 for Merlin - the equivalent of £1 per mile.
 Show your support for Steve and Merlin by visiting his JustGiving page
Find out more information about the Cycling the 6 Challenge
Cycling the Six FAQs with Dr Steve Fabes
How far will you cycle per day?
I’ll aim to travel anywhere between 80 and 150 km (50 – 95 miles) a day although I may even exceed 200 km on a good day. The road conditions, the gradient, my energy (and stubbornness), headwinds and tailwinds all play a part.
Have you done anything like this before?
In 2000 I cycled the length of Chile with my brother. We covered around 6,000 km over five months from the southern town of Punta Arenas in Patagonia up to Arica in the Atacama desert.
How did you decide on the route?
I considered a number of factors when planning a rough route across each continent, taking into account sites of interest, foreign contacts, hospitals and clinics I plan to visit, visa requirements and the availability of supplies as well as the environmental and current political climates and even prevailing wind directions. But certain areas may enter into conflict and political situations can change rapidly so I will have to be prepared for the possibility of dramatic changes to the proposed route if there’s a section of a continent I can no longer travel through.
Where will you stay?
I’ll be wild camping in the main so… anywhere I can pitch my tent! I’ll probably spend a bit on cheap hostels when I get into larger towns and cities. Travel networking sites could be useful in helping me find accommodation and I’ll spend the next 12 months cajoling friends and family into giving me contacts around the world who’d be happy to have me for a night or two.
How much training are you doing before you leave?
I plan to do plenty of running and some training rides around the UK however I’ve got lots of cycling ahead of me and it's not a sprint so I’ll get fitter as I go.
How will you entertain yourself en route?
Books, books, books! And old school hiphop on my MP3 player.
Merlin would like to take this opportunity to wish Steve a fantastic and safe journey. We look forward to updating this page with information as the challenge progresses.
Good Luck! |