**Local Cyclist Overcomes Early Setbacks to Complete Epic 16,250-Mile Ride from Wales to Australia**
What began with a tumble just 50 metres from Cardiff Bay has culminated in an extraordinary finish at Sydney Harbour, as Nathan Hurley, a 35-year-old from Blackwood, Caerphilly, completed a gruelling 16,250-mile journey spanning four continents and 26 countries. The feat, which started on St David’s Day 2024, saw Nathan take on some of the planet’s most challenging terrain to raise £4,000 for the Multiple System Atrophy Trust.
Nathan’s story is one of unlikely adventure. He openly describes himself as “not exactly the outdoorsy type”, admitting to being far from an experienced cyclist when he set off from Cardiff. In a moment now tinged with humour, Nathan revealed how he nearly fell from his bike within sight of the Senedd, much to the concern of his parents watching on. With his own self-deprecating wit, he described himself as the “guy who doesn’t do adventure well”, notorious among friends for forgetting essential kit on previous outings.
Despite this wobbly start and limited cycling background, Nathan pressed on with determination outweighing his anxieties. Packing little besides a bike, a tent, and a blow-up pillow, he set out to turn a personal challenge into a journey with purpose — both for self-discovery and charitable fundraising. The chosen charity, the MSA Trust, supports individuals affected by Multiple System Atrophy, a rare and devastating neurological disease that had touched those close to Nathan.
The journey itself moved well beyond the familiar landscapes of Wales. Nathan’s route led him through the iconic climbs of France’s Alpe d’Huez — a test renowned among Tour de France cyclists. While elites like Geraint Thomas complete the ascent in around 40 minutes, Nathan confessed it took him a full four hours, a humbling reminder of the sheer scale of the challenge.
From there, Nathan ventured along the storied Silk Road, traversing northern Italy, Turkey, and into the majestic yet forbidding Caucasus mountains. It was here that bureaucracy and geopolitics tested his resolve; a necessary flight from Armenia to Kazakhstan was required to avoid conflict zones and visa issues. Soon after, he confronted the thin, oxygen-starved heights of the Pamir Mountains, battling altitude sickness with every pedal stroke.
Travelling through western China introduced fresh challenges in the form of constant surveillance. “The police followed me like I was a VIP,” Nathan joked, noting the curious contrast between their official intentions and their obvious presence, trailing him at a walking pace along deserted roads.
The voyage’s isolation came to the fore during the long stretches across China’s Taklamakan and Gobi deserts. Prolonged solitude saw Nathan rely on translation apps to communicate with locals, cherishing encounters with English speakers whenever they occurred. “When I met someone who spoke English, I’d waffle on for ages,” he admitted with a wry smile.
From Southeast Asia to Jakarta and onwards to Australia, the sense of distance surged. Crossing the Australian outback — a 3,000-mile undertaking in itself — Nathan contended with unimaginable heat and his own fears, candidly admitting his terror of snakes. Yet the kindness of strangers and surprising moments of connection punctuated his trip; he was invited to weddings, shared meals with locals, and handed out Welsh flag pins to children, sparking delight in villages as far flung as rural China.
Nathan’s interactions highlighted the global reach of Welsh culture, with Gareth Bale’s name and the dragon-emblazoned flag recognised in the least expected places. “It was the Year of the Dragon, and the Chinese kids absolutely loved the pins,” Nathan recalled, running out of his supply far sooner than anticipated.
Throughout it all, the charity’s cause provided essential motivation. Every mile cycled was a tribute to his friend and a step towards supporting families impacted by Multiple System Atrophy. The funds he raised for the MSA Trust not only honour a personal loss but also extend vital hope and assistance far beyond Wales.
Now stationed in Sydney, Nathan’s appetite for adventure appears only to have grown. With new routes across the Americas and Africa charted, he plans to cycle all the way back to Cardiff by Christmas 2025. “I had every intention of coming home after Sydney,” he reflects, “but there’s no point cycling halfway around the world, is there?”
Nathan’s story is one of transformation — from unsteady amateur to global cyclist, turning a personal struggle into an inspiring example of resilience and compassion. As he contemplates the road ahead, Nathan stands as proof that true adventure often begins just beyond the comfort zone, no matter how shaky the start.