18-year-old's bike ride across Canada raises £1,300 for charity

Published on Wednesday 19 August 2009 09:59

IT is not the way most teenagers would choose to spend their 18th birthday – on their own, freezing cold and covered in mosquito bites.

But for Euan Hunter, that was just one of the sacrifices he had to make to conquer his dream of cycling 3,850 miles across Canada – a feat so impressive it was praised by round-the-world cyclist Mark Beaumont.

The teenager set off on the massive challenge – which saw him cycle 105 miles every day – with very little training behind him, but the determination to succeed.

He travelled on his own, without even a support vehicle, carrying his equipment on his back and camping out each night.

Euan, who has just left Currie Community High School, said: "Last November I decided I wanted to do something a wee bit more productive during the holidays than sitting watching TV and I just thought cycling across Canada would be a good idea.

"I did plan on doing training, but with exams and things I ended up not doing much.

"I was also completely on my own so I was carrying my tent, sleeping bag, camping mat, food and clothes."

The teenager set off on 22 June from Vancouver and travelled across Canada, through the Rocky Mountains and the vast, open prairies and on to Halifax, where his journey ended.

Throughout his 37-day challenge, Euan kept a blog of his adventure, where he received messages of support from his family and friends – and Mark Beaumont, who wrote: "Congratulations on a great ride. Keep taking on your dreams."

Euan, who lives in Currie, said: "I think my mum contacted him when I was away and told him what I was doing. He sent me a message and donated 25, so that was great and helped to motivate me towards the finish."

The teenager's trip was not just about keeping him occupied during the holidays – he also raised almost 1,300 for Mary's Meals, a charity that provides school meals to children in some of the world's poorest countries.

Although the trip has provided Euan with a once-in-a-lifetime experience, it was not without its downsides – including celebrating his 18th birthday on 1 July on his own.

He said: "By that time I had 96 mosquito bites. It was cold and I couldn't find anywhere to stay so I ended up somewhere called Shady Campground in the middle of the prairies. It's not how I would have expected to celebrate."

He also had a few hairy moments where giving up sounded like an appealing option.

"The worst part was five days into Northern Ontario because I didn't realise it was going to be so hilly.

"One day it was really cold and rainy and I realised the jacket I had was shower-proof, not water-proof so I was drenched.

"For 40 miles there was nothing and by the end of it my hands were too weak to even open my bag."

But Euan, who is going to university to study mechanical engineering next month, has not been put off and is already planning next summer's adventure.

&#149 www.euanhunter.co.uk

&#149 www.marysmeals.org