16,250 miles in - and still pedalling around the world

AFTER months of pedalling across continents and through some of the world’s most rugged terrains, Nathan Hurley has finally reached Sydney Harbour, completing a remarkable 16,250-mile journey that began in Cardiff Bay on St David’s Day last year.

- LOIS MCCARTHY

The 35-year-old from Blackwood, set out with little more than a bike, a tent, and a goal.

What started as a personal challenge soon turned into an unforgettable adventure, raising both awareness and £4,000 for the Multiple System Atrophy Trust (MSA).

Nathan’s journey took him through 26 countries, crossing alpine ranges, vast deserts, and diplomatic borders on a route that spanned more than a year and a quarter of the globe. But for someone who never considered himself adventurous, the decision to leave home with a tent, a stove and a blow-up pillow was a leap far beyond his comfort zone.

Self-labelled as an “urban dweller”, Nathan confesses he wasn’t exactly an experienced cyclist when he began: "I wasn’t even an accomplished bike rider as I recall nearly falling off just 50 meters into the ride near the Senedd with my parents’ heads in their hands."

He went onto joke that among his friends, he’s always been the one least prepared for outdoor escapades.

"I'm the guy who doesn’t do adventure well," he laughed. "I always forget the pump, spare batteries or the inner-tubes. I remember riding with mates from Cardiff to Brecon when I was 20 and needed to stop at B&Q in Merthyr to buy a car sponge as extra padding for my backside."