Unusual Cycling Adventure Tour from London to Australia by Bike to Watch the Cricket Ashes

Oli Broom started his unusual bike adventure tour “Cycling To The Ashes” on 10 October 2009, to cycle approximately 25,000km solo and unsupported from Lord’s Cricket Ground, London, to Brisbane Cricket Ground (“The Gabba”) in time to see England play Australia in the first Ashes Test Match of the 2010/11 series, in November 2010. This expedition listing is by Oli Broom and outlines his upcoming bike adventure tour.

Cycling Adventure To Watch the Ashes

Cycling To The Ashes” is my attempt to spread the cricketing gospel, to raise plenty of money for two very worthy charities, to test myself to the limits and to see parts of the planet I have always wanted to see. What better way to see the world and to meet its people, than on a bike, and with a cricket bat?

I plan to play, promote and teach cricket in schools, youth projects and clubs in up to 28 countries that I cycle through on my route. and most importantly to raise £100,000 for my two chosen charities – the British Neurological Research Trust and The Lord’s Taverners. For more information please click here.

I am relaxed but pretty ambitious and driven. Sport has dominated my life, and from my experience captaining Berkshire County Cricket sides in my youth, to being a member of successful university sports teams and running the London Marathon (in an embarrassingly poor time), I appreciate the drive and effort that will be needed during this very tough journey.

When I’m not in the saddle, I am looking forward to meeting the people (and cricketers) of Europe, Africa, Asia and Australasia, and teaching school children of all ages about a sport which they may not have heard a great deal about. I have chosen to tackle the expedition alone as I want to meet as many local people as I can on my route – an important and fascinating aspect of any long distance journey.

The Ashes is a Test cricket series played between England and Australia. It is one of international sport’s most fierce and celebrated rivalries, dating back to 1882. It is currently played every two years, alternately in Australia and England. A series of The Ashes usually comprises five Test matches.

I’m hoping to raise £100,000 for The Lord’s Taverners and the British Neurological Research Trust. The former are a charity founded in cricket who do all sorts of charity work, largely helping disabled kids play sport. The BNRT leads pioneering research into spinal injuries. An old friend of mine had a freak diving accident about 5 years ago and is now completely paralysed from the chest down.

I’d be lying if I said I was a seasoned cyclist, but I’ve always liked mountain biking, and I cycled to Paris recently. My sports have always been cricket, golf and racket sports so I’ve never found the time to do as much cycling as I would have liked.

I’m apprehensive about the whole thing, but excited and determined in the same breath. It’s going to be a great adventure and a huge opportunity to meet the world’s people. Being realistic, I suppose I’ll be scared on the journey at certain points, maybe when Ethiopian kids are chucking rocks at me as I cycle through their villages – but I’m not scared yet. Ask me in a few months!

Simple right? I need all the help I can get, so if you know anyone on my route who might be able to give me a free drink, a cheap meal, or even a sofa for a night then please do get in touch.

For more information on this adventure bike tour riding to Australia to watch the cricket Ashes please visit www.cyclingtotheashes.co.uk.

Credits for the images used in this article about an adventure bike tour from London to Australia belong to Oli Broom.

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