Nuts on Bents

Anne Mustoe, a retired headmistress and the bestselling author of several cycling books on her trips around the world, is the patron of our trip.

When Anne first set off to cycle alone round the world, she was 54, overweight and unfit. She had not cycled for 30 years and she wobbled on her new machine. 45,000 miles later she has now cycled around the world twice, and through the Indian subcontinent from Nepal to Sri Lanka, from the Thames to the Nile, the Amber Route from the Baltic to the Mediterranean, and many short(er) rides including the Santa Fe Trail, the Camino Real, and the Pilgrim Way.

In her books she talks of people 'who would dearly love to go on an adventure, but teeter on the brink, full of self-doubt'. They talk themselves out of it. They forget the fun is in the adventure, the who-knows-what-nextness of casual travel. 'You don't have to be twenty, male and an ace mechanic,' she says. 'I've cycled around the world twice now. I'm not young, I'm not sporty, I never train, I appreciate good food and wine, and I still can't tell a sprocket from a chain ring or mend a puncture!'

"I am delighted to support Sedef and Nic in their ambitious plan to cycle from London to Sydney on recumbents in aid of Cancer Research UK and BBC Children in Need.

Their journey will take them across the familiar landscape of Western Europe, before plunging them into the more daunting terrain and politics of the Middle and Far East, and the emptiness of Australia's Red Centre. Much of this is territory I have cycled through myself at various times, though on a normal bike. I can't begin to imagine what it will be like to attempt the Great St. Bernard Pass on a recumbent - though perhaps by the time they reach Switzerland, their legs will be so strong that they will glide effortlessly up to the col without once having to get off and push! As for curiosity en route... A foreigner on a regular bike is excitement enough in many parts of the world. So prepare for some really frenzied mobbing on weird contraptions like 'bents.' It will be very good humoured mobbing, but it may seriously slow down progress in places and shatter peaceful slumbers in their tent. This trip will be no carefree jaunt, but a journey which will test their resolve to the utmost.

Sedef and Nic have chosen two excellent charities, whose work is well respected and wide-ranging. As you have read, they are financing the ride themselves, so that every penny of the £50,000 they aim to raise will go straight to Cancer Research UK and BBC Children in Need. The intrepid pair deserve your support and I hope you will encourage them by sponsoring them and their charities, and by following their adventures on this website.

I wish them every success in this venture. "

www.annemustoe.co.uk

Books by ANNE MUSTOE

	A Bike Ride Account of Anne's first cycle ride around the world, following Roman and historical routes through Europe, India, the Far East, and the United States.	Lone Traveller Based on Anne's second ride round the world, from East to West.

	Two Wheels in the Dust Story of the five winters Anne spent on the Indian subcontinent, inspired by the great Indian epic, The Ramayana	Amber, Furs and Cockleshells The Amber Route, the Santa Fe Trail and the Pilgrim Way to Santiago de Compostela: three journeys rich in history.

	Cleopatra's Needle Story of her ride from the Needle on the Thames to Heliopolis, the Needle's original location in Egypt.	Escaping The Winter All you need to know about spending the winter abroad! A down-to-earth guide to planning the perfect winter escape.