SNN March 2016

my neck and back. For the past few years, Elizabeth has
been cycle-touring, mostly solo, through 18 countries in
Europe and Asia, parts of Australia, and the full length
of New Zealand, which is where we met. So she helped
me. She is a very special, inspiring woman.
How hard is it to bike with your injuries?
Very, very hard. I have good-ish days and bad days. Every
single day is a pain day. But I can do a lot more and cover
more cycling, than I can walking. I can’t walk a great
deal, especially after my lower back operation. But the
challenges I faced, are nothing compared to what others
who have spinal cord injuries go through.
You have a great attitude; how do you remain so
positive?
I could’ve been paralysed from the neck down and in a
wheelchair in 1971, but from that moment forward, I
have always been so thankful for what I can do. There is
always someone worse off than you. I call Elizabeth “my
teacher”, and, after cycling with her for over two years,
she is such an amazing person to glean from. Mark Twain
once said, “Twenty years from now, you will be more
disappointed by the things you didn’t do, than by the
ones that you did do”.
Also, the amazing history of Europe! We cycled through
a total of nine capitals: Wellington, Tokyo, Belgrade, Sofia,
Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Amsterdam, and London.
We cycled up to the highest bike-able point on Mt. Fuji
in Japan: 2,380 metres. We cycled to the most northern
point in Japan – Cape Soya – which was one of the most
amazing days of my life. We cycled 65% of the length of
the river Danube – 1,863km cycled; the Altmühl River
from mouth to source; and, part of the Tauber River.
One standout memory was the concentration camp in
Mauthausen in Austria. We had planned to cycle through
Mauthausen not knowing of its history. We gave a day to
visit; a very special time indeed.
The people you met along the way on your travels
would have made this adventure rather special?
Yes; Elizabeth and I met such amazing people along the
way. In Passau, Germany, for example, we met an elderly
couple who welcomed us into a motel they were staying
in. Within minutes, we were sat down and fed at their
table. It was like we were being adopted into their family.
The love they showed us – you didn’t need to speak
the same language, and we now keep in contact. Also,
meeting a New Zealand couple by chance in Bulgaria.
We ended up spending three hours talking to them and
have made a great friendship.
What were some of the challenges?
Every single day was a challenge. Elizabeth and I had
not cycle-toured with each other before this, and when
you have been doing things “solo” for most of your life,
this was new. But we discussed things prior to travelling
together, such as the distance expected of each other;
money issues; various decisions. It went amazingly well. In
How does your spinal cord injury affect your mobility in
daily life?
My mobility is greatly restricted; you adapt your life
accordingly, to your specific “disability”, and concentrate
on things you can do, rather than things you can’t.
What were some of the highlights of the tour?
Working together as a unit was a highlight; we clicked
together from day one. For me, working together;
discussing important decisions together; and thinking of
the bigger picture were priorities. Austria in the autumn,
along the Danube - there were amazing colours. Walking
tours are a must. Elizabeth and I did them in Plovdiv –
one of the world’s oldest cities – Belgrade, Budapest, and
Bratislava.
Japan, July and August are very hot and humid months,
especially in Honshu; it was very challenging at times.
I’ve never experienced heat and humidity like it before.
Also, navigation through many major cities, plus finding
accommodation along the way, were just some of the
challenges.
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