Barely a week after England regained the Ashes from Australia at the Oval, few cricket fans will be thinking ahead yet to the start of next series between the two countries in November 2010, let alone whether they will travel there. Not Oli Broom, however, who leaves London next month on a 25,000km journey by bicycle to Brisbane to arrive in time for the First Test at the city’s famous ground, The Gabba.
Broom, a 29-year-old chartered surveyor, hopes to raise £100,000 for charity and teach the locals a thing or two about cricket on the way. The latter point may not go down too well on the Australian leg of his trip, however.
Broom, from Berkshire, says that the inspiration behind his trip was an accident that befell a friend of his who fractured a vertebra in 2005, leaving him paralysed from the neck down and in need of 24-hour care. Seeking “a change of direction” after leaving his job last month, Broom says "what happened to James made me wonder if I was making the most of every day."
Broom is seeking to raise funds through his trip for the British Neurological Research Trust, as well as for the cricket-focused charity, The Lord’s Taverners.
The planned route takes Broom across Europe to Istanbul, then through Syria to Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia. After a sea crossing to India, Broom then aims to catch some Indian Premier League action, before heading to Australia via Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Along the journey, he will be looking to meet up with local cricketers in such unlikely places as Croatia, and encourage people to start learning the game in countries including Syria. With the sport's governing body, the ICC, now based in Dubai, it’s perhaps not such a madcap idea as it at first appears.
Broom acknowledges, however, that the trip is not without its dangers, saying that stone-throwing children in Ethiopia have been cited as a problem by other long-distance cyclists, and he may well sport a motorcycle helmet on this leg as protection. Mind you, if their throwing is reasonably accurate, there presumably remains the option of him getting off his bike and teaching them the finer points of fielding at cover point.
Broom’s quest has the support of England captain, Andrew Strauss. Both attended Radley College, Oxfordshire, and Strauss says, “I've known Oli since our school days and can vouch for his sanity. I wish Oli the very best of luck and look forward to seeing him on his bike in Brisbane in November 2010!"
Broom leaves London for Dover on October 10 and his journey can be followed through Twitter, Facebook and his own website.
If I was spending that kind of money it would be on a top end Colnago all day long.
He advocates only riding mountainbikes solely offroad for ultimate safety, which is great if you're a millionaire of leisure living in Colorado...
That looks like a fun bike. Frame only, 2 and an 1/2 grand.
Does this count as social media?
But down the line it can put a big dent in its resale value which ups leasing costs and the amount of cash an owner is throwing at their status...
Fair enough, personal experience may trump (not that one) theory. However, the bonking I have experienced has been due to lack of carbs. Your point...
Agreed, but he was still right to publicise the event. The police, if they're anything like Lancashire, will do nothing at all.
mdavidfrodo?
in the UK we have policing which to a greater or lesser extent relies on assistance from members of the public......
Just wanted to share a quick thank you to everyone who helped out in this thread....