Ryan Flinn embarks on gruelling 5,500 km endurance race across Australia

Chapman Freeborn’s own Ryan Flinn will soon be lining up on the starting grid to begin one of the largest challenges of his lifetime; the Indian Pacific Wheel Race. Starting in Perth and finishing in Sydney, the legendary race sees elite cyclists battle some of the harshest environments on Earth in a 5,500km endurance race across Australia.

Due to its enormity, Australia is widely regarded as an ‘island continent’. Most of the land is made up of the Outback, a harsh desert environment where temperatures can regularly surpass 40 °C. On top of this, the country is filled with an array of deadly animals, such as snakes, spiders and crocodiles. So why on Earth would Chapman Freeborn’s Ryan Flinn want to cycle 5,500km from one end of Australia to the other? He has a very good reason…

“Dystonia or Spasmodic Torticollis receives hardly any funding whatsoever and if I can in some way raise awareness and much needed funds then this huge race is something that will generate both interest and hopefully some cash dollars baby!

“If we can maybe help find a cure for Dystonia, and put an end to a debilitating disorder that so many suffer from, then I do it gladly. This is something close to my heart. I do this not only as a personal challenge, not only to help the many that suffer, but to also try and help my mother who suffers from this wretched neurological movement disorder. If you want to donate I will be raising funds for the Dystonia Society, a registered charity reliant entirely on charitable donations.”   – Ryan Flinn

Part time Private Jet Charter broker, part time adventurer, he will undertake this journey completely unsupported, meaning he will not have assistance from a crew, support car, or mechanics – Ryan is going solo. Racing against 70 other cycling fanatics, he is expecting to be on the saddle for at least 20 hours every day, with only two to three hours sleep. Each day, Ryan hopes to travel 400 – 600km, meaning that at this pace the race should take two weeks to complete.

Starting from Perth, the route East will take Ryan through the desolate Australian outback. He will be cycling through miles upon miles of deserts, coastline, and even over mountainous territory, before he reaches the finish line at Sydney. Here are some of the incredible sights that Ryan will be passing through on his incredible journey…

Here is the funding page for the Dystonia Society: www.gofundme.com/raa-for-karen-and-others-like-her (100% of all funds raised here go to the Dytonia Society charity)

Here is the funding page for Ryan’s personal donation page ‘Save the Rhino’: www.gofundme.com/help-save-the-rhino

[LIVE] Follow Ryan’s route

We have profiled some of the areas and locations that Ryan will encounter on his journey, in order.

Perth

On 18th March, Chapman Freeborn’s Ryan Flinn will set off on a journey of a lifetime. The race starts at Fleet Street in Perth, the capital of Western Australia. The city is situated between along the banks of the Swan River, which is aptly named as it is famous for the black swans that reside there. The river meanders through the metropolitan area, where many luscious hotels, restaurants and landmarks decorate its banks. Perth is the most isolated city in the world, which might be even more daunting for Ryan, as the next closest one is Adelaide and that’s over 2,200km away.

The Australian Outback

Around 500km into his expedition, Ryan will enter the Australian Outback, where he will face some of the most testing conditions of the two weeks. The area of the Outback that Ryan will be cycling through is the Goldfields-Esperance region; one of the largest regions in Western Australia although sparsely populated. At this time of year, daytime temperatures can soar to above 40°C while it’s not uncommon for the night to dip below freezing. Ryan must be very cautious in conserving his water supply, as sources are scarce.

Nuytsland Nature Reserve

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AToolina_Cove_1_Nuytsland_NR_IX-2010.jpg

Close to the South Australia border, and over 1,000km into the race, is Nuytsland Nature Reserve. This beautiful coastal strip, which sits atop the 80 metre high Baxter Cliffs, stretches over 190km and is teeming with birdlife. Ryan should expect to see some rare species such as Honeyeaters, silvereyes, and if he is lucky, penguins. In fact, over 245 bird species have been recorded in this area by the Eyre Bird Observatory, which Ryan will not doubt have no time to stop off and visit.

Nullarbor National Park

From birdwatching to whalewatching. As soon as Ryan enters South Wales, he will have cycled into Nullarbor National Park. While riding along the coast, there is a chance that he will see Southern Right Whales. These spectacular mammals are native to the Southern Indian Ocean and the Nullarbor are where they are most commonly spotted. “Crossing the Nullarbor” is a term used by many Australians to describe conquering the Australian Outback, so if Ryan can make it through here, then there’s no doubt he can make it the whole way.

Adelaide

After almost 3,000km of Outback cycling, Ryan will finally return to metropolitan civilisation. Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, is a stylish city filled with boutique shopping, fine dining and sandy beaches. The vibrant art and live-music scene is evident throughout the city, and around every corner are architectural spectacles engraved into pubs, townhouses and churches. Adelaide is not a common tourist destination, but its laidback and cultural lifestyle will make for a well-needed relaxing stop-off if Ryan feels he needs it.

The Twelve Apostles

The Twelve (or now eight) Apostles, will bring Ryan less than 2,000 km to the finish. The 50 metre high stacks were formed by the harsh and extreme weather conditions from the Southern Ocean, slowly eroding the soft limestone cliff at around 2cm per year. Due to the varied geology and range of distinct ecosystems, Ryan will face some very changeable climate and weather along this part of the route as he continues along the Great Ocean Road to Melbourne.

Melbourne

Melbourne is the capital of the state of Victoria, and the second largest city in all of Australia. There is an eccentric passion for food and drink here, which is portrayed in Melbourne’s wide range of restaurant and bars that incorporate tastes from around the world. This will no doubt make a nice change for Ryan, as up to this point, he has been surviving on limited rations. The city is full of old and new architecture, harmonious ethnic communities, and characteristic shopping and nightlife options. Melbourne is often used as a gateway to ski slopes, wilderness and rugged mountain peaks, and this is where Ryan will be heading next.

The Australian Alps

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ACabramurra_from_lookout_winter.jpg

This mountain range is so vast that it covers three Australian states: Victoria, Australian Capital Territory, and New South Wales. The Australian Alps contain peaks of 2,000m above sea level, and is the only region in Australia where the snow falls annually. Thus far, Ryan’s journey will have been through high temperatures and along reasonably flat plains, meaning that this will prove to be a whole new challenge for him to combat. After so many days already spent in the saddle, Ryan will now be facing two huge uphill struggles up to peaks of around 1,600m, where temperatures will be low and the air will be thin.

Canberra

Canberra, the Australian capital, also nicknamed the “Bush Capital” for its surround of forest, farmland and nature reserves, but as Ryan arrives in Canberra he celebrates more than just arriving in the beautiful Australian capital.  For Ryan Canberra marks the completion of 5,000km, leaving just 500km left to go! As Ryan leaves Canberra and begins the final stretch of his journey, heading northeast to Sydney, the end is in sight!

Sydney

Sydney is home to some of Australia’s most recognisable landmarks, including the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. These landmarks will be a welcomed sight for Ryan as Sydney marks the end of his intrepid adventure. Having cycled 5,500km, spanning the width of Australia, through harsh terrain and facing some extreme weather conditions, Ryan’s epic cycle is complete! Celebrations and rest is in order now, and what better place for both than in this beautiful waterfront city.

Here is the funding page for the Dystonia Society: www.gofundme.com/raa-for-karen-and-others-like-her (100% of all funds raised here go to the Dytonia Society charity)

Here is the funding page for Ryan’s personal donation page ‘Save the Rhino’: www.gofundme.com/help-save-the-rhino