in-cumbria

North Cumbrian man quits work for 10,000-mile bike ride

By Pam McClounie

Last updated at 09:00, Saturday, 07 July 2012

Cyclist James Desmond has quit his job to cycle 10,000 miles around the world.

James Desmond

The 26-year-old, who worked at Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency (CREA) in Penrith, has just set off on his six-to nine-month trek.

The 10,000 mile journey from London to Sydney will take him through Europe, across India, Nepal into the Himalayas and on to Asia. Finally crossing Australia to reach his destination of Sydney.

James, a former pupil of Cockermouth School, hopes to raise £5,000 for two charities – The Lake District-based Calvert Trust and Solar Aid, which aims to eradicate kerosene lamps from Africa by the end of the decade.

James said: “The trip will take six to nine months. I will start off by averaging 60 to 80 miles per day and hope to increase this to 100 miles a day after some training.

“I am also stopping on the way to undertake some further challenges, the first being climbing Mont Blanc in the Alps with my friends Richard Bagnall and Craig Rockliffe, and I hope to volunteer with some charities along the way.”

James resigned from his job at CREA – providing environmental advice to businesses in Cumbria – to take part in the Bike to the Future cycle expedition.

He said: “The project I work on is government funded until March next year, so it is unlikely that it would have been feasible to hold on to my position.”

The aim is to raise both funds and awareness for good causes through sponsored challenges and fundraising events.

The project will also engage with local charity projects encountered on the journey, and will stop to work with them where possible.

James’s journey will be documented through a blog and video diary, in a hope to inspire action and promote awareness of the causes.

He said: “Most of my training for the ride has been done on my road bike and in the fells. I’ve entered a few local events including the Lakeland Loop and Fred Whitton Challenge.”

First published at 08:56, Saturday, 07 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk