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Pedalling Forwards: a bike journey

Finding a path forwards for me and the planet. Support my bike journey in search of sustainability innovations and inspiration.

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########## UPDATE ##########
I’m incredibly fortunate to have had so many people donate to get me started on this journey — I wouldn’t have made it this far without their support. I’ve seen many inspiring sustainability projects and learnt so much. I’ve also come a long way in terms of my own recovery, re-building my physical and mental resilience.

I feel there’s still a lot more for me to see and explore and write about in this space and I want to keep pedalling forwards. I’d love it if you could help make the next chapter of this journey happen.

Are you able to donate to keep me pedalling, and/or connect me with funding sources who might be willing to support my journey?

Thank you so much to everyone for your amazing support.
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The back story:

My name’s Nick. I was an engineer and scientist turned not-for-profit communitym organiser, but my health deteriorated due to chronic stress and burnout followed by antibiotics damage.

Early last year my gut seized up and I ended up in hospital with starvation. Almost all my muscles had atrophied away to the point where it was a challenge to walk around the block on my thin and weakened legs.

When I set off on a month-long solo bike tour across WA in November, it came after months of rebuilding. It was something I’d dreamed of doing for years, but I’d been held back by ill health. The bike trip was also part of my healing process, helping re-build my physical and mental resilience. 

I’ve come a long way, but I’m still on the road to recovery. I’m uncertain about re-entering the workforce, as I still battle IBS and fatigue. But I can ride a bike and I can write, if I have the freedom to go at my own pace.

The plan:

I’m doing another big bike journey, from the southern end of Tasmania up the east coast of Australia, starting in March. 

I’m travelling to innovative sustainability projects along the way and blogging about them as I go. It's a search for good-news-stories; to get inspired and hopefully inspire others. I also hope to discover what possibilities are out there for those like me who want to work in a sustainability-related field.

I’ve met so many people struggling with chronic stress and associated health issues — but not talking about it, as though it’s some shameful secret. I’m writing openly about my health challenges, rather than hiding it, and exploring the topics of burnout, self-care and recovery.

My last bike journey taught me that you can become capable of doing something by going and doing it. I would love to do a trip like this — it feels like a way to do something meaningful that’s true to myself and where I’m at.

The costs:

I lack funds. I live very lean — it cost me about $1k to prepare and get started (gear, a new back wheel, transport to Tasmania, etc), and costs another $1,200 each month that I’m on the road (food, repairs, camp fees, etc).

I’ve never been good at asking for money. But if you think you might get some entertainment out of this, or if you've got nothing better to do than throw money at dreams, then I’d love it if you could help me make it happen.
    — $5 will be very much appreciated.
    — $30 will keep me going for an extra day, with my dietary issues.
    — $120 will allow me to get a new rear wheel built and the other repairs needed in Canberra.

Thanks so much for your support!

Nick Taylor

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P.S. You can read the full story on the website here: http://pedallingforwards.com

P.S. It would be wonderful if you could share this with others who might like to support it or get involved.



Organizer

Nick Taylor
Organizer
Ludlow WA

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