Speaking Out
Crazy guys on bikes
Anthony Billingham and his girlfriend Kate are cycling round the world in aid of BSA.
My girlfriend and I are on a round the world bicycle trip. We have been away for 9 months and are having an awesome time. At the time of writing we are in Omalos on the beautiful and extremely hilly island of Crete.
The trip came to fruition about two and a half years ago. I had done cycle trips before, from Geneva to Nice along the French Alps, then two different three month excursions to the north and south islands of New Zealand.
All of these were only possible due to the help and support of my parents and my speech therapist Sarah. I used to struggle with self confidence issues mainly due to my stammer. It was holding me back at work and generally in life, so one day I thought, get it sorted, go to a speech and language therapist. So this I did and boy how my life has changed. I worked with Sarah for about a year, not only did she help improve my stammer but she helped with my reaction to when I did stammer. Instead of getting frustrated I learnt to take a deep breath, relax and start again. So with new self confidence I set out living my life the way I had wanted to.
The big one
The other 'practice' cycle trips gave me an appetite for a larger challenge, and what could be more of a challenge than cycling for as long as is financially viable. After meeting Katy, who had never cycle toured before, we decided to go on the world trip together. Talk about jumping in with both feet, Katy! We both lived at home with our parents, scrimped and scraped some money together and on the 12th July we left (it was supposed to be the 11th July, but the World Cup final was on so we postponed a day). We wanted to do the trip to experience something truly unique, the idea of taking ourselves out of the comfort zone and experiencing life on the road by bicycle was thrilling. Not knowing where we would be sleeping from day to day, where we would get food from, living in a tent for a couple of years (or more) and only carrying the essentials was a daunting prospect.
Then of course the other challenge for me is my stammer. To stammer to an English person who can understand you is one thing, but to stammer to a person who barely speaks English is an experience all in itself. I hesitate in asking directions sometimes because I don't want to stammer to a stranger. Kate has to be strong here for me because it would be easier if she asked, but that would just make things worse for me. I get nervous at border crossings as well, therefore my stammer becomes more difficult, which I believe in the past has led to me being searched. However, with border checks being removed across Europe this hasn't been too much of a problem yet, let's just hope I am OK through Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazhakstan and China. A good test was being questioned by 7 Hungarian policemen on why we were camping on a closed campsite. There is nothing like having 7 police officers shouting "passport, passport, ID" at you to make you panic and stammer. Surprisingly I held my nerve, maybe even more importantly my speech, and spoke fluently to them and the potentially volatile situation was avoided.
Down through Europe
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"There is nothing like having 7 police officers shouting "passport, passport, ID" at you to make you panic and stammer."
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Our route so far has seen us leaving the UK via Harwich, heading over to the Hook of Holland, easing our way along the glorious cycle paths of our bike loving neighbours, before climbing into the less cycle friendly Belgium. We then headed south into Luxemburg, well known for its cheap petrol, which is not much use to us though! From Luxemburg we skirted the North East of France and fought our way up and over the Black Forest of Germany into Donauschingen and the start of the Danube cycle trail. We followed this trail through Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia and into Romania. After a quick dash back to the UK for a relative's wedding, we headed south into beautiful Bulgaria and then descended into Greece, working our way down the east coast all the way to Athens. We flew to Spain from Athens to hide away for the winter and recharge the batteries ready for the hills and mountains of Crete.
We are planning to leave Crete to go to Rhodes by the middle of April and then from Rhodes to Marmaris, Turkey. However, one thing I have learnt on this trip so far is that not only is there plan A, but also B, C, D, E and F! Things often change. We find places we like and stay longer, meet people we like and stay even longer, so in general we have a loose route, but will roll with it depending on political situations, visa requirements, weather variations and how much money we have left.
Fundraising for BSA
During the trip we decided to raise money for the BSA. Kate and I were talking about charities and the possibility of raising money and awareness. We went through a list of our own requirements and came up with the BSA. The BSA has helped me massively with support and information, and with the Facebook page there is a real sense of support and community which is priceless, so whatever I can give back is my pleasure. Thanks to the BSA and Sarah, my speech therapist, I feel as though I am in control of my stammer and not my stammer in control of me.
New challenge every day
Kate and I feel very lucky to be on this trip, we have met amazing people along the way, seen awesome sights, experienced numerous acts of kindness towards us. We have had tough times, like when we have camped wild for 6 days straight, no showers, no shave, but plenty of unwanted odours, wet days in the Carpathian mountains of Serbia, two thunderstorms unleashing themselves on us in one day made us feel like we were back home in England; and easy days like when cycling along the east coast of Greece we clocked up an amazing 2 miles in 1 day because we saw the most amazing beach and spent the whole day there.
But one thing that comes out of it is that every day I face a new challenge. It may be cycling up a mountain, finding a safe place to sleep, keeping to the budget, asking a stranger for directions, or just making sure I put enough sun screen on!!!!. It is a good thing to take yourself out of your comfort zone, it goes against all human instincts to challenge yourself. Be positive, take responsibility for yourself, do not listen to negativity, you can do it, you will achieve it. No matter how small it might be, you will be surprised at what you can achieve. DON'T JUST TALK ABOUT IT, DO IT!
Follow their progress: www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/8282
Extended version of article in the Summer 2011 issue of Speaking Out, page 4.
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