An intrepid Scots couple are more than 4000 miles into an epic two-wheeled adventure from rural Strathearn to the other side of the world.
Super-fit OAPs Val Hadden and Merv Savage left Perthshire last August bound for Australia after deciding they would like to visit Merv’s son Paul in Adelaide, but didn’t like the idea of flying there.
Inspired instead by a “warm-up” 10-month trip around the perimeter of Europe in 2004/05, the adventurous pensioners planned the trip of a lifetime and, after more than eight months in the saddle, are well on their way to completing the incredible journey.
Progress has been charted in a detailed blog faithfully updated during the trip, despite the many technological difficulties they have encountered along the way.
The reward for such a dedicated diary has been an astonishing 75,000 hits on the journal, posted on the www.crazyguyonabike.com website.
Family, friends and a growing number of global cycling fans have been able to follow the 67-year-olds’ every turn of the wheel, from their first photographed stop at Perthshire’s prestigious Gleneagles Hotel through Europe and deep into Asia.
“Merv’s son Paul and his wife Sarah emigrated to Adelaide in March 2008 and, of course, we wanted to visit them,” said former social worker Val.CulturesThey explained that the idea of cycling grew from the combination of not wanting to fly, their earlier European adventure and the prospect of discovering new places, people and cultures.
On that front they have certainly not been disappointed and the hallmark of the past months has been the friendships forged in a string of welcoming nations.
Hours of planning went into the journey. They have stuck to cycling around 80 kilometres (50 miles) a day, with two rest days every week and a longer break from time to time.
Many of their new relationships have been thanks to participating in the SERVAS international hospitality organisation, a group that allows people to be either traveller or host in a bid to promote greater understanding between cultures.
Within a month, Val and Merv passed the 1000-mile mark near the Italian university city of Pavia.
They passed the 2000-mile mark in October while in Iran, and clocked up 3000 miles in mid-January near the Indian city of Pune.
India was also the setting for their Christmas Day together — a 69km cycle along the National Highway after an 8.30am start.FestiveAs family and friends tucked into traditional fare at home, they enjoyed a festive potato and cauliflower lunch for the princely sum of 50 rupees (67p) for two.
The 4000-mile marker passed by just days ago in Indonesia, but despite a relatively trouble-free trip so far, it coincided with an unwelcome fever for Val which she is how hoping to have left behind as the couple close in on Australia.
The exhausting challenge has seen them rest in many unusual settings, including the back of a lorry as it rumbled overnight along the Iranian highway and the straw of a Swiss barn.
They have also enjoyed minor celebrity status along the way, especially in India where word of the cycling Scots followed them.
“We’ve cycled less than half the total distance, but that’s still quite good for a couple our age!” Val added. “Using public transport we’ve restricted the time away from home and it has given us an additional perspective on the journey, particularly on things like the Trans-Asian Express.”
“Hopefully we’ll encourage others to try something a bit different!” said Merv.You can follow the couple’s adventure by visit their superb photo journal at www.crazyguyonabike.com.