Andrew Nicholson is on a journey to break the record of 125 days, 21 hours and 45 minutes to travel from one side of the globe to the other by bicycle.
His journey started on August 12 at Auckland Airport, flying out to Vancouver where the pedalling began.
The accomplished cyclist, who also holds the New Zealand 24-hour record, made his way to Perth on Friday, November 13.
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READ NOWNicholson is a former speed skater who competed at three Winter Olympics and enlisted the help of former opponent Frank Anderson.
“It was during the Steven Bradbury era we met and Frank was just on the fringe of the Australian team,” he said.
Anderson picked Nicholson up from AvantiPlus Cannington to have his bike checked over before heading down south to Albany and Esperance as part of his next leg.
“I will have my wife come with me for the next part of the event, which will mean a lot,” Nicholson said.
“It would be a fantastic achievement if I could do it, right up there with the Olympics and skating.”
Nicholson is currently on the last part of his journey, needing to cross Australia and part of New Zealand to finish.
He has to average about 230km a day in order to stay on track to break the record.
The journey has been a life-changing experience for Nicholson but it has not been without its tough days in the saddle.
“I had to ride on a suicidally dangerous road in the gutter in Georgia with a broken bottom bracket,” he said.
“I eventually found the one English-speaking mechanic in Georgia and he helped me out.
“I have been pretty lucky though as I have had no bugs and sickness, even when I was in India.”
Nicholson is also raising funds for cancer research on the ride. To find out more or to donate, go to www.teahoworldride.com