James Ketchell: one month into his unsupported global cycle

BASINGSTOKE, U.K. - Aug. 2, 2013 - PRLog -- James Ketchell began his global cycle just over a month ago, on 30^th June 2013, and has already travelled across Europe, averaging over 100 miles a day, sometimes even pushing out an astounding 200 miles.

James has cycled through France, Belgium, Holland, Germany and Poland, where he visited several shopping centres, organised by Balmain Asset Management, one of James’ sponsors.   Bike Associations welcomed James in every city and children also showed a huge interest in his trip, gathering to have picnics with their families and in Gliwice, the oldest bikes in Poland were on display.

James then cycled through Ukraine and into Romania. Getting into Ukraine was quite tricky because in his exhausted state, he cycled to the wrong border point, which resulted in a lot of uncomfortable negotiation to be allowed in; not great at midnight, after cycling 160 miles! The roads in Ukraine were so bad that James was forced to slow down to about 10mph, however once he reached Romania, the roads improved significantly.

After tackling the extreme heat and hilly terrain across Bulgaria, James made it into Turkey then flew from Istanbul on to New Delhi, where he is now cycling around beautiful Rajasthan.  

James recently commented,

“I cannot believe that I have been cycling for a month already.  I have been faced with extremes of weather and some awful road conditions but I am really getting into the rhythm now.  I now have a 4,000 mile leg to cycle around India so will be out here for all of August, then on to South East Asia.”

James continued,

“I have already met some fascinating people from all walks of life.  Most people are incredibly friendly and supportive that to me is what makes a trip such as this so special and exciting.  As well, of course, raising money for the ELIFAR Foundation, a local charity close to my heart, that helps disabled children”.  

James is raising funds for charity ELIFAR (www.elifarfoundation.org.uk) and donations can be made via his JustGiving account www.justgiving.com/captainketch. You can also support ELIFAR by texting the code KETC50 followed by either £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10 to 70070.

Additional Information:

James Ketchell has already rowed across the Atlantic single-handed, climbed Mount Everest and is now cycling 18,000 miles around the world, in only 6 months.  And all this, after a serious motorbike accident five years ago, which left him with two broken legs, a severely broken and dislocated ankle and a prognosis that he was likely to suffer a permanent walking impairment.

James’ journey is unassisted and he carries everything he needs in his modest saddlebag: a tent, sleeping bag and roll mat, camera, phone and change of clothes.  James is regularly updating his blog and is also tweeting his way around the world.

James will be meeting up with international scouting groups as part of his mission to raise the profile of scouting worldwide and he plans to cycle back into the UK during the last week of December.

James’ journey:

June: UK

July: France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey

August: India

September: Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore

October: Australia, New Zealand

November: America

December: Portugal, Spain, France, UK

ELIFAR:

“Every Life is for a Reason” is a charity based in Waterlooville.  It is run almost entirely by volunteers whose aim is to improve the quality of life of disabled children and young adults through the funding of specialised equipment, therapies and respite that would otherwise be financially out of reach to their families. www.elifarfoundation.org.uk

Scouting Ambassador:

The role of the scouting ambassador is to raise the profile of scouting in a positive manner.  Ambassadors include Lord Sebastian Coe, Chris Evans and Julia Bradbury.  James Ketchell is one of Hampshire’s Scouting Ambassadors.  There are 22,000 scouts in Hampshire with a further 5,000 waiting to become scouts, subject to more volunteers becoming available.

For further information and images, please contact James Ketchell:

Mobile: 07766 396740

Twitter: @CaptainKetch

Web: www.jamesketchell.net

Copywriter/PR:

Pru Gayton

Mobile: 07971 447052

Web: www.paccopywriting.com