10 yrs ago, a friend and I backpacked across Australia.  Upon arriving in Melbourne, we were pretty broke, so we scraped together what cash we had, bought a couple of 2nd-hand, cranky old racing bikes for $50 (£20), and spent a week or so cycling and camping along the Great Ocean Road in southern Victoria.  Being non-cyclists, it was tiring on the legs, but great fun, inexpensive and a fantastic experience!

On November 14th, 2008 I will be back in - this time for a friend's wedding. 

Older? ... yes.  Wiser? ... hmm, possibly not! 

After the wedding, I am planning to set off from Melbourne once again, but this time heading inland, cycling 1,200km across the Snowy Mountains to the highest peak in Australia (Mt Kosciusczko), and then onto Sydney - an up and down, remote mountainous journey that I aim to complete in 12 days.  Just me, my bike and my tent... oh, and some anti-snake-venom!

I have decided to raise money for Claire House Children's Hospice.  Claire House, as most of you will probably know, is based on the Wirral and cares for young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions from Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and the Isle of Man.  My target is to raise £1,200 - £1 for every 1km cycled.

I am aware that, for many of us, the current economic climate is one of 'batten down the hatches!'  However, if you can afford it, please donate and help me reach this £1,200 target - all money raised will be going to Claire House.

Many thanks for your generosity,
Nick

For more information on Claire House, please visit their website:-

http://www.claire-house.org.uk/

To follow my journey I am aiming to publish an online blog, charting my adventures as I travel along!  You can access this blog here (lucky you!?):-

http://melbournetosydneycycle.blogspot.com

(Donating through the JustGiving webiste is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor: Claire House gets your money faster and, if you’re a taxpayer, 28% in Gift Aid is added to your donation.)