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See Tim's photo gallery here>>
Before
he embarked on his bike expedition, the furthest Tim Smith had ridden
his cycle was about five miles from Hitchin to Stevenage.
So
completing a 3,300 journey across seven countries in South East
Asia was no mean feat for the 24-year-old Hertfordshire man.
The
lure of raising cash for the troubled population in Cambodia, plus
completing one of the toughest challenges of his life, was ample
inspiration for Tim.
The
former Hitchin Priory School head boy, arrived back in England this
week, having endured cycling in both tropical heat of 40°C and
strong winds, cold and rain.
 I
drank 10 litres of water but was still so dehydrated I was unable
to eat any dinner without being sick. |
|
Tim
Smith
|
Before
his expedition, Tim travelled to New Zealand to put in essential
cycling practice around the South Island, pedalling 1,200 miles.
He
then worked in Wellington, the capital, for five months to fund
his trip.
His
journey in Asia began in Singapore at the start of October and took
him through seven countries before reaching his final destination
in Hong Kong.
"It
was definitely an experience of a lifetime," said Tim, a management
sciences graduate.
"Most
of my time I was cycling through towns and villages which rarely
see westerners, and the local people couldn't have been more friendly.
I was
always shouting out "hello!", waving at little kids and
giving impromptu English lessons to teenagers who cycled alongside
me!"
But
the going was not always so pleasant for Tim.
"Some
days I had to cycle nearly 100 miles to reach the next town before
dusk.
"Once
in Thailand the temperature reached 40° and there wasn't a cloud
in sight. I drank 10 litres of water but was still so dehydrated
I was unable to eat any dinner without being sick."
The
tropical temperatures were not to last and in China Tim found himself
riding in 5°C through wind and rain, wearing five layers of
clothing to stop himself from shivering.
|
While cycling I had to be careful not to go even a metre or
two off the road, as many of the fields haven't been cleared
of landmines and unexploded ordnance. |
|
Tim
Smith
|
Tim's
trek was raising money for The Cambodia Trust, which works with
the people of the war-torn African country which has immense problems
with poverty - the average person earns less than 50 pence a day.
The
country has been crippled by decades of war, and much of the countryside
is littered with landmines and unexploded ordnance.
Over
40,000 people are landmine amputees.
"Many
amputees live and beg on the streets in Phnom Penh, the capital,
as there is no work for them in their home towns and villages.
While
cycling I had to be careful not to go even a metre or two off the
road, as many of the fields haven't been cleared of landmines and
unexploded ordnance."
 |
| Tim
crossing into Cambodia from Thailand |
His
efforts have not gone unnoticed. Adrienne Liron, of The Cambodia
Trust said: "We are here to enable landmine survivors rebuild
their lives again, providing artificial limbs and a helping hand
towards employment and self-sufficiency.
"We're
reliant on donations to keep going and every year it's a struggle
for us raise funds, however thanks to our energetic supporters,
like Tim, our work is making a real difference."
Tim
has raised around £400 so far, and hopes to reach at least
£1,000.
To sponsor Tim online visit www.justgiving.com/cycling-se-asia
See Tim's photo gallery here>>
| Chris,
Sydney, Australia |
Sunday,
11-Apr-2004 15:48:00 BST |
|
| Tim,
I like to thanks you on behalf of all the cambodian that are
suffering. You are very brave and has a good heart for all the
combodian that been suffering. Actually myself was born in Cambodia
and i knew how the war has effect alot of family and the country
itself. If everyone have the same heart as you, Cambodia would
be a better place to live like it used to be. I definately sponsor
you. |
| Gwilym
Gibbons, Kilberry |
Wednesday,
03-Mar-2004 11:06:43 GMT |
|
| A
man that always goes that extra mile... well done Tim. |
| Nicole
and John Hardiment, Isle of Wight |
Tuesday,
24-Feb-2004 15:56:41 GMT |
|
| We
cycled on our tandem with Tim for 2 hard days in the mountains
of Laos. He is such a cheerful and encouraging person, it was
memorable riding with him. Tim we wish you every success with
your fundraising and hope to see you again one day. |
| Andrew
Bathgate, Quito, Ecuador |
Friday,
20-Feb-2004 17:11:09 GMT |
|
| Wow,
what a guy! He must have legs of steel. If only everybody in
the world did what Mr Tim Smith did the world would be such
a happier place and there would probably not be any war or famine.
God bless you Tim! If you ever choose to cycle through South
America and are in Quito I'll buy you a beer! |
| Claire
Thomas, London |
Wednesday,
18-Feb-2004 12:35:15 GMT |
|
| Brilliant-what
an effort. Definitely will sponsor. |
| Rachel
Brenneman, Colorado, USA |
Wednesday,
18-Feb-2004 15:56:38 GMT |
|
| I
have met this extraordinary man and he is just as amazing as
portrayed in the article. What a beautiful and true story!!
Hats off to you Tim. |
| Pete
Cuff, London |
Tuesday,
17-Feb-2004 18:07:57 GMT |
|
| That
is the most selfless act I have ever heard of. If I ever met
Mr. Smith, I would listen intently to the experiences and knowledge
gained by his extraordinary act. |
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