Connor McElwaine, 33, is embarking on the “ultimate world trip” as he sets off from his gran’s house on Canberra Avenue next month, aiming to arrive in Canberra, Australia, 18 months later.
Calling the adventure “mad”, Connor says this is something he has always wanted to do, saying, ” If I don’t do it now, then I’m never going to do it.”
Connor has quit his job, packed up his things (Image: Supplied) He said: “I just decided, in the pursuit of some adventure and wanting to live life fully, I quit my job, and I’m cycling to Australia.
“I’ve been teaching in three different schools for the past 10 years, so it’s a bit of a mad decision when you decide to quit your job, your life, give up your flat, pack up your things and put them in storage.
“Hopefully, I don’t have any regrets from doing it, and I’m just going to enjoy it as much as possible.”
Taking on the challenge in aid of Venture Scotland, Connor says he has given himself a year and a half to make it to the other side of the globe.
On the way, he will cross continents on his bike, passing through an estimated 20 countries before entering Australia.
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Connor is an avid outdoor enthusiast. (Image: Supplied) The former History teacher who left his job in England at the end of the last school year, says going from Canberra Avenue, Clydebank, to Canberra, Australia, “just makes sense.”
He added: “After I left Clydebank, I was a history teacher in Birmingham, and then London.
“But this has always been something that I’ve wanted to do, and I thought if I don’t do it now, then I’m never going to do it.
“I’ve so far planned up to Istanbul, I’m hoping to be in Turkey within two months.
“The hardest part won’t be the cycling or the travelling, but will be the mental side of things, being away from friends and family.
“I’ll set off from my grandparents’ house on Canberra Avenue, which was the scene of many of my childhood adventures, and it’s where we spent a lot of time playing with friends.
“So Canberra in Australia just made sense as an endpoint.
“Part of me wants to go the full way around, so after Australia, go to America, Europe, and come back up.”
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Venture Scotland is a Scottish charity run by volunteers who believe in the benefits of natural and outdoor spaces on an individual’s mental health and wellbeing.
A JustGiving page has been set up ahead of Connor’s journey. It can be found HERE.
Connor hopes to raise upward of £5,000 to help the charity.
He added: “I’m doing it for Venture Scotland charity based in Glasgow and Edinburgh, because throughout my life, the outdoors has been a constant source of inspiration.
“Whether it be doing the West Highland Way or hiking in different parts of Europe or cycling, it’s always given lots of inspiration and lots of self-confidence.
“Venture Scotland is all about using the powers of the outdoors to help young people and adults across Scotland.”
Connor will set off from his gran’s home on September 11 joined by family and friends who will wave him off on his great adventure.