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Celine Sun

British cyclist completes huge trip for charity

After cycling from London, across 10 countries, Briton Tim Smith arrived in Hong Kong yesterday at the end of his journey.

Smith, 24, made the journey to raise funds for Hong Kong-based charity group Crossroads International.

He started in London on August 1 and travelled through  France, Belgium, Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland, the Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan and China to reach Hong Kong.

He completed the last part of his journey yesterday morning by cycling from Sheung Shui to Tuen Mun.

'It still feels like a dream,' Smith said after crossing the finishing line with more excitement than fatigue.

Smith set off on the 18-week trip after finishing his masters degree in engineering at Durham University.

He crossed eight time zones and raised #7,000 (HK$110,000) for Crossroads International, which takes surplus goods from Hong Kong and distributes them to those in need all over the world.

Smith said the journey had taught him to be more appreciative of the luxuries he had taken for granted. It also brought him closer to nature, and broadened his view of the world.

Equipped with a lightweight tent, sleeping bag, stove, head torch, water carrier and a handful of maps, he managed to conquer even unexpected hardships.

'The most physically difficult part was in the mountain area near Urumqi , where I had to tramp over a 2,500-metre-high mountain,' he said.

But tougher to bear than bodily hardship was the loneliness, 'especially in the desert in Kazakhstan, where all I could see were the miles and miles of flat roads without end.

'Fortunately I was able to keep in contact with my family through mobile phone.'

Smith did months of training before tackling the challenge.

For those who harbour similar dreams, he says: 'It is possible. Just go for it.'



London to Tuen Mun on a dream and a bike