In a Tasmanian first disabled cyclists Paul Pritchard and Carol Hurst are using Internet based crowd funding to raise money for their planned 1100km ride from Lhasa in Tibet to Kathmandu in Nepal – Trikes on the Roof of the World.

Crowd funding is the latest innovative way people are finding funding for independent projects. Kickstarter.com is an American based website where people post descriptions of their projects and anyone can chip in to help fund them.

Paul and Carol are asking people to pledge from $1 to $2000 with a range of thank you gifts for each pledge level.

The Project only gets funded if it reaches the $8000 funding goal by 31st August.

They have raised nearly $4000 in their first week but are still hopeful of more backers.

More information:

Many cyclists call it the worlds most epic bike ride. The journey across the highest pateau on earth traverses the 1100 kilometer ‘Friendship Highway’ from Lhasa in Tibet, to Kathmandu in Nepal. It is an odyssey that crosses high passes above 5300 meters, cycles to Everest Base Camp, and makes the demands of high altitude a very real problem. For some this cycling pilgrimage, over the Himalaya’s, is a ‘life changing’ journey.

And that is if all your limbs function correctly. Now just imagine achieving this if you were disabled. This is exactly what Tasmanians Paul Pritchard and Carol Hurst will embark on this September. Pritchard is an award winning author, adventurer and hemiplegic since he had a head injury whilst climbing the Totem Pole on the Tasman Peninsula’s Cape Hauy. Hurst is six times Australian Wild-water Champion since she developed osteoarthritis in her hips.

They will attempt the 36 day traverse by recumbent tricycle. Pritchard and Hurst are unable to ride two wheelers and they will film the adventure. The one thing they have in common – neither of them can walk very far so rely on their trikes. Film makers Sharyn Jones and Chris Jones will be filming the Journey thereby encouraging other disabled people.

As a well seasoned speaker on disability issues Paul Pritchard will tour Australia and venues around the world with Trikes on the Roof of the World. The film will be used as an educational tool to promote much needed positive roll models for disabled people.

“We hope to inspire other people who do not have the good fortune of a healthy body to keep striving to be the best they can.”

This is a powerful, uplifting message not just for the disabled, but for all people.

Coming off Mount Everest toward Kathmandu the pair will face an astonishing 4600m of downhill, the longest road descent on earth. Imagine doing that on you back with your backside only centimeters from a mud packed Nepalese road surface.

Further information and a video about the project can be found at

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/424152792/trikes-on-the-roof-of-the-world?ref=live
Matthew Newton http:/www.matthewnewton.com.au