Cycle journey of 23,000km

Press, 8 February 1983, Page 1

Cycle journey of 23,000km

Andrew Macbeth has spent most of the last two years on a bicycle seat. The Christchurch engineer and conservationist has meandered his way through 16 countries and about 23,000 km.

“When you have lots of time and no money, it is a great way to travel.” he said. “Another of the beauties of a bike is that it is not threatening.” Strangers were more willing to chat to a lone cyclist. Although less comfortable than a car, a bicycle went tc many more places. One instance was when Mr Macbeth became lost in Dartmoor and found himself camping overnight beside a “small Stonehenge" circle in a forest clearing. It also meant living on sandwiches and muesli, and sometimes looking like a Chinese laundry with washing tied to the back of his bicycle. the over-all cost of a day's travelling was about $lO, including accommodation and the photographs he took. Mr Macbeth spent about 18 months in North America, including five months working in Toronto, where the “bastard” bicycle he nowrides was built speciallv to fit his 1.85 m (6ft lin)'height. Then it was three months in England and Scotland, and another three. months in Europe before returning home for Christmas. The experience has also stood him in good stead for his new job. Since last month Mr Macbeth has been on the Canterbury United Council’s payroll, looking at ways to extend the cycle route network in Christchurch and make life easier for cyclists in general.

Mr Macbeth is still prone to meandering. On Sunday he and a friend decorated their bicycles with crepe paper and entered “The Press” fun ride. He figures they set a record for the longest time to complete the shortest distance, allowing for stops to see people and places of interest.