Odyssey takes rider to far end of Earth

Jan 14 2009 by Dan Warburton, The Journal

CYCLIST Martin Lisle is planning a mammoth 3,000-mile trek across Australia 20 years after an accident that nearly killed him. Mr Lisle, of Marden Estate, Cullercoats, North Tyneside, had lifesaving surgery after crashing his bike in the Yorkshire Dales, near the small village of Reeth.

Now 47, he suffered severe head injuries and in the years that followed suffered paralysis and needed to use a wheelchair.

But this month he will embark on a six-week crossing of Australia, with the aim of cycling 100 miles every day.

Last night he said he was also taking on the challenge in memory of his mother June, a nurse from Whitley Bay, who died of cancer 10 years ago at the age of 66.

He said: “When I crashed 20 years ago I lost my memory and had an operation in which I had part of my skull removed from my brain. I lost the use of the right-hand side of my body, and I was off work for two years. I’m lucky to be alive.

“I was a big cyclist before the accident and now it’s spurred me on to do it even more. You have to do the things you enjoy.

“This year marked the 20th anniversary of the accident, coupled with the 10th anniversary of my mother’s death, and I just thought I had to do something big to mark it.”

Mr Lisle will leave on Monday and travel from Perth on the west coast of Australia to Port Macquarie, 400 miles north of Sydney on the east coast.

During his trip he will cross more than 800 miles of desert and have to cope with blistering summer heat, with temperatures well in excess of 30C.

But for the self-employed builder, the trip is a chance to get back in the saddle and do something he loves. He said: “It’s not even about seeing Australia – which is an incredible country – it’s about the experience and the people I am likely to meet.

“I’ve been flooded with goodwill messages from people everywhere. I can’t wait to get out and enjoy the ride. It’s going to be amazing.”

Mr Lisle is making the cross-Australia ride in an effort to raise cash for the Chris Lucas Trust, which works to find a cure for cancer. While on the trip he will camp to save cash and stay with friends and family who live in the country.

To donate, log on to www.justgiving.com/martinlisle and to keep up to date with his progress, add him as a friend on social networking site Facebook.