18-year-old Euan Hunter of Scotland biked across Canada in 37 days to raise money for charity
( Photo Provided )
Euan Hunter needed to get out of the house for the summer.
Unlike past summer vacations, the Scottish teenager had resolved that this one would be productive.
After graduating from his Edinburgh, Scotland high school, he boarded a plane to Vancouver with his bicycle in tow, determined to raise money for charity by cycling a grueling 6,199 kilometres across Canada.
Unaccompanied, Hunter embarked on his journey in Vancouver on June 23 and arrived in Halifax on July 29.
Although Hunter allotted 87 days to make the trip – with a flight home booked for September 17 – he completed it in 37, averaging close to 170 km of biking per day.
“My favourite part of the trip was definitely the physical challenge, knowing that every day I would achieve something,” said Hunter in an e-mail; he was unreachable by phone because he is currently on another cycling trip.
Hunter – who turned 18 while biking through Alberta – said his decision to cycle across the country was an impulsive one. He did not plan his route in advance, and did little training beforehand.
Prior to his cross-Canada journey, the furthest Hunter had ever cycled was 64 km.
“It was meant to be 50 miles, but my legs got tired so I called my Mum for a lift,” said Hunter.
Hunter set up camp most nights, occasionally staying at motels along the way.
He also managed to publish daily updates on Twitter and his blog, allowing his family, friends and supporters to follow his travels.
Through his blog he raised over $2,300 for Mary’s Meals, a Scottish charity that provides meals for more than 375,000 schoolchildren in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe.
Ruth Black, a spokesperson for Mary’s Meals, said she was amazed when she found out what Hunter was undertaking.
“The money that someone like Euan raises is hugely important because a little goes a very long way in a country like Malawi,” said Black. “We really rely on people like him who come across Mary’s Meals and are inspired to go off and do fundraising.”
While Hunter first contemplated cycling across the United States, Canada quickly grew on him.
“I love outdoor activities and Canada appeared to be quite an active and outdoorsy place,” said Hunter. “I think the defining factor was the size . . . and the fact that there was quite a large diversity of terrain.”
Hunter said his legs are now stronger than ever and that he has become “addicted” to cycling long distances.
“I will certainly be looking to push my body to its limits in the future,” said Hunter.