A man who turned his life around after having an overdose has said cycling has given him a “new purpose in life” while on a trip from the UK to Australia.
Spencer Wragg, from Leicester, said he is taking on the 20,000km (12,400-mile) challenge to show the benefits of cycling and adventure for mental health.
The 29-year-old set off from Dover in June and is hoping to complete the challenge within a year, having spent Christmas in North Vietnam.
Mr Wragg said cycling allowed him to move away from his former lifestyle following his overdose after three days of partying in 2022.
The year-long adventure will see the cyclist travel through 31 countries, including Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Nepal.
Mr Wragg said this was the second trip he had been on since his overdose, previously cycling from the UK to Athens in Greece.
Spencer Wragg cycled through Afghanistan during his trip [Supplied]
“I used to be a pretty hardcore raver,” he said.
“It led me to one day being out after three days of non-stop partying and I ended up overdosing.
“Around the two-year mark [after the overdose], I thought what better way to prove to myself, to take this second chance at life, than to do something to inspire others.
“The cycling just gave me a whole new purpose in life.
“I had that whole non-stop partying lifestyle and have replaced it with the bike.
“It’s been incredible.”
Spencer Wragg is hoping to complete the trip within a year [Supplied]
However, Mr Wragg’s trip has not been all smooth sailing.
He crashed after only 12 days, damaging his bike as he hit a tree stump.
Fortunately, the cyclist was uninjured, but he had to return to the UK to get a replacement frame before continuing the trip.
Mr Wragg said he wanted his story and the trip to show how cycling and the outdoors can help mental health.
“My aim is to inspire people to get out a lot more, go see the world and travel and reap the benefits of being on a bicycle,” he said.
“That comes with the benefits of cycling for mental health as well, so it all ties itself in together really.”
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