Anglican Communion News Service

The Revd David Noble from Perth, Australia, is attempting to cycle 3,592 miles (5,747 km) round Australia in a Life Cycle 2000 project to raise funds for the Anglican Board of Mission (ABM) of Australia. The ride also celebrates 150 years of ABM's mission work. His slogan of GO M.A.D. stands for "Go Make A Difference".

David set off from Perth on 26th March, and was due to reach Darwin in Australia's Northern Territory on 16th June. So far he has averaged over 80 miles (130 km) per day, with only occasional planned rest days. He is accompanied by a support crew of two - Jim and Corrine Casey.

Conditions are perhaps best described as variable - David has faced strong winds, pouring rain, temperatures as high as 40 degrees and as low as 3 degrees. As well as lonely roads and endless hills, he has also had to contend with heavy traffic in urban areas such as Melbourne and Sydney. He even encountered a swarm of locusts.

One incident-packed week led to some hasty repairs being carried out in Sydney on David's number one bike, "Miss Mission", while he continued the trip on the reserve machine. An unfortunate incident on slippery roads covered in debris had occurred in the Yarra ranges to the East of Melbourne, and two days later there was a high-speed blow out. David needed all his years of cycling experience to avoid serious injury to himself. Happily, he has been re-united with "Miss Mission" to continue the rest of his journey!

Article from: Anglican Advocate