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Australian Cyclist : 01-May-2009
Firemen tackle 4000km for charity
Gary Power and his mates Tony Camilleri and Neil Guy are much more accustomed to putting out fires in NSW than pedalling for charity. But the gutsy trio is determined to complete a 4000km ride from Perth to Sydney to raise funds for Camp Quality, the charity that supports children suffering from cancer.
It's an organisation close to Gary's heart. When his daughter, Stephanie, suffered a childhood cancer of the kidney known as Wilm's tumour, he found Camp Quality to be hugely supportive of his family and others. "It certainly did open my eyes to the good work Camp Quality does, and after conveying this to my two mates, they were happy to ride for it."
It's a brave effort as none of the three fireys is a seasoned long-distance cyclist. Tony, like Gary, is a station commander, and rides a 90km round trip to work each day. Gary, who works out of the Shell Harbour fire station, decided he too should ride to work - a 70km round trip - as part of his preparation for the big ride, starting on April 20. The trio also embarked on a training regimen that included 100km rides.
They flew to Perth to begin the long 4000 km ride home. They hope to raise $4000 for the charity organisation.
Planet Earth proves a tough place to ride
The 25,000 kilometres from Brisbane to Copenhagen is a long, long ride and Kim Nguyen, now 7000km into the trip, is beginning to experience the toll on his spirit, his body and his bike.
"Around 6000km, some of my bicycle parts began to show signs of wear and tear," he reported. "My legs too, if I'm honest. my heart a little as well."
The28-year-old set out from his home in Brisbane in August last year to raise awareness of the impact of climate change on the developing world. His epic journey, dubbed "Ride Planet Earth", will take him across deserts, volcanoes and rainforests, battling scorching heat, humidity and monsoons.
He has been hospitalized three times for heat exhaustion, collapse, fever and a fall that resulted in five stitches to his face. He has travelled through Australia, East Timor, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Laos and has now reached China.
The going has been tough and eventful. As he recalled:"Heading north about 100km From the Laos Chinese border, my chain started slipping off the smallest chain ring. Damn, I thought, the chain's stretched. It had done some 3500km so I changed it.
"Damn, I thought again. The new chain I bought from a French ex-pro in Vientiane Was missing the reinforced pin to link it together. I'll be stuck on this rocky dirt road forever.
"I fretted as passing trucks Churned dust clouds in my face. I took out a line and managed to get the thing on ... But the chain kept slipping. It was the chain ring, not the chain that was worn out-just as I'm heading into the Himalayas."
Despite the travails, the trip has had its joyful moments.
"Cycling southern China Has been awesome, "he said. "The area is all mountains but they are alternately covered In protected forest areas or stunning rice terraces, somehow built on the very steepest slopes and stretching into the hazy mist in the distance. It's a tourer's dream, if you don't mind the ascents."
The next leg of Nguyen's journey will take him through the grueling Himalayan mountain ranges as he travels through China, Nepal and into Tibet. "The terrain is getting harder as I approach Tibet," he said. "Already the average altitude is over 2000 metres and all I can see around me are mountain ranges."