Explore | Episode 2 | Australia
November 23 | Episode 2
This episode of Explore heads to Australia and then across the great nation with two riders who had very different reasons for setting out on the challenges before them.
First up is a compelling interview with Rupert Guinness, an Australian cycling journalist who has been covering professional racing since 1987. Much loved by his colleagues in the Tour de France press room, and instantly recognisible thanks to his trademark Hawaiian shirts, Rupert signed up for the Indian Pacific Wheel Race – or IndiPac, as it is known – in 2017.
It’s an unsupported race across Australia from Freemantle near Perth to the shadow of the Sydney Opera House – a journey of almost 5,500 kilometres. The 2017 event ended in tragedy when Mike Hall was killed and in our interview Rupert talks poignantly about why he decided to stop and go home but also why he had to be on the start line next time round. Following in the wheel tracks of the pioneering Overlanders who crossed Australia by bike and did so much to document what was in the outback and help map the country, Rupert’s ride was also a journey of self discovery…
In the second half, we meet a man after Lionel’s heart – the self-styled Slow Cyclist. In 2009, Oli Broom gave up his job in the City of London and decided to cycle to Australia in time to watch the first Test in the Ashes cricket series between England and the Aussies. The thing was, the first ball was due to be bowled a full 14 months after he first turned the pedals to leave London.
Riding around 100 kilometres a day, an incredible adventure took him right round the world in 412 days and led him to a new career.
Explore by The Cycling Podcast is hosted by Lionel Birnie, Hannah Troop and Tom Whalley and is supported by Rapha, Science In Sport and The Economist. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Rapha support The Cycling Podcast all year and that support has enabled us to get the wheels rolling on series one of Explore. They have developed a range of clothing and accessories that are perfect for the adventurous world of endurance riding and bikepacking.
Rapha. Adventure Starts Anywhere. Check out Rapha’s Explore range at rapha.cc
Science In Sport are our other long-term supporters and if you are going to accept the challenge of a long multi-day ride, you need to get your nutrition right. Get 25 per cent off all Science In Sport energy drinks, bars and gels at scienceinsport.com by using the code SISCP25 at check-out.
The Economist
For over 170 years, The Economist has delivered trustworthy intelligence that helps people like you choose where to stand on the issues that matter most. We are delighted to announce that The Economist is also supporting series one of Explore. All UK-based listeners can get a free print copy of The Economist by texting CYCLE to 78070