FAQ's

Why did you choose a recumbent Trike?

Quite simple really. I tried one out in England and was hooked. I was smiling when I saw it,  laughing to myself as I rode it and promising myself I would do it again soon. To be honest I was nervous about doing the trip on a trike as there seemed little information out there about extreme long distances. Would it be up to the job? How would it handle on bad or no roads and would I get flattened by a truck the moment I started rolling in China.

The Trike seems really low, is it dangerous?

It is very low but you'd be surprised by the amount of people that slow down and give you a wide berth just to take a look at the strange foreigner on a tricycle. As long as I make eye contact with drivers before I pull out there is no problem. I personally think it is safer than riding a conventional bike. Try one out. You'll never look back.

Why the whole of China?

I'd been living in Hong Kong for years and mainland China was always this huge mystery. A vast nation of contradictions, fascinations, cultural conundrums and curiosities. Nearly every province in China is bigger than england and I was intrigued to find out what was in each one. So thats what I'm doing. Just having a look. One thing I can confirm is China is huge, just for the record.

Where did you find your dog?

I stopped under a tree to put on my waterproofs as a storm was brewing. I was just about to pedal off when I heard a pathetic yelp. After further investigation I found a puppy in an irrigation channel. I popped her in my pocket, gave her the name Ditch and she has been with me ever since, although she has moved out of my pocket and into her very own dog box on the back.

Whats the toughest part of the journey?

Its got to be dealing with all the feelings involved. Over coming fears, fatigue, frustration and loneliness. You get past all these things by the sheer number of wonders you encounter on a journey like this. You see sides to your self that are awful but have the time to deal with them and change. You also discover your strengths and these rapidly develop.

Whats the best thing about the journey?

So many things. The people you meet, farmers, families and other random encounters. Destroying all preconceptions of a country by going to see it for yourself. I've been treated amazingly well in China. The best feeling of all though is when you suddenly find yourself in the middle of nowhere cooking up some noodles, whistling to your dog or watching the stars from the top of a mountain. Life seems amazingly vibrant, it makes all the sweat and tears worth it. You appreciate everything you have, things slot into place and you get to see who you really are. The good, the bad and the ugly.

What was the drive behind the journey?

I just wanted to go on a long journey, to keep moving and experience a vast country. I've always been a wonderer, even when I was in Hong Kong. I love the unknown and I love change. I think exploring the unknown is incredibly healthy.

Your doing it to help raise money for Charity too. Have you raised very much?

As the planning for the journey took shape I realised I could try and help some of the people whose country I would be traveling through. Children are the building blocks for any society and for many children in China its tough getting an education. If I can help in any way then its a good thing. To be honest donations through the website have been very low. I hope that 2008 will see them rising high as I push things in the media and get more people aware.

Do you get bored or lonely?

Not really. I've always been able to be happy in most situations. Boredom only happens on the trip when I'm traveling along a straight road for hundreds of kilometers. I meet thousands of people and enjoy my own company too. When I found Ditch in Fujian province the journey took on a whole new dimension. It continues to do so. Life is never boring if you explore the unknown. Whether that be at home in your garden, at work or inside your own head.