Press Release 

Monday 26^th October 2009

Intrepid British doctor to cycle the length of 6 continents

On January 5th 2009 London doctor Steve Fabes embarks on a five year solo journey to cycle the length of six continents to raise money for Merlin, the frontline British medical aid agency.

The epic expedition will see Steve cycle through over 60 countries, travelling the length of each populated continent, and racking up 50,000 miles – a distance roughly equivalent to 80 times the length of Britain or twice around the world.

Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy said ‘This is a hugely ambitious and inspirational challenge that will surely test Steve's resolve and determination to the limit.’

In the process Steve aims to raise £50,000 for Merlin, the only specialist UK charity which responds worldwide with vital health care and medical relief for vulnerable people caught up in natural disasters, conflict, disease and health system collapse.

Buses, trains, cars and planes will not figure in Steve’s journey; he will travel only by bicycle over land. When he reaches each continent’s extreme point he will board a boat towards the next leg of his journey. Steve’s cycling odyssey will take him across the Equator four times and subject him to everything from 50 degree heat in the Australian outback and Sahara Desert, where he will be forced to carry up to 16 litres of water on his bike, to bitter winds and unforgiving cold in Patagonia and northern Alaska inside the arctic circle. Steve must also cross several mountain ranges, including The Alps, The Andes and The Himalayas, in order to complete the challenge. For the duration of these endeavours the expedition will be entirely unsupported: Steve will carry everything he needs on his bike as he travels up to 100 miles each day and wild camps by night.

Currently working at Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, Steve has a professional interest in Tropical Medicine. Alongside his fundraising commitment to Merlin, he will trace a route through regions affected by ‘The Neglected Tropical Diseases’ (NTDs) – 14 ancient, largely parasitic infections that occur almost exclusively in areas of poverty and disadvantage. The World Health Organisation estimates that these ‘NTD’s’, which include leprosy and guinea-worm, affect as many as one billion people worldwide. Over the course of his journey, Steve will visit a number of remote hospitals and clinics to witness the impact of these infections firsthand, experiences that will subsequently be used to raise awareness about a group of infections that receive little exposure despite being both prevalent and widespread.

In the lead up to departure, scientists and physicians at King’s College and Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals will be putting Steve through numerous physical and physiological investigations, including a biopsy of his quadriceps, to gain insight into the impact that completing this challenge will have on his body. Steve will repeat these tests on his return in 2014 and the results from before and after his journey will be compared. This research will feed into campaigns aimed at helping promote the health benefits of cycling.

Steve has a proven track record in the field of ambitious bicycle expeditions: before commencing his medical degree in 2000, he cycled 6000 km along the length of Chile in five months aged just 19.

Olympic hero Sir Chris Hoy says:
“This is a hugely ambitious and inspirational challenge that will surely test Steve's resolve and determination to the limit. I wish him all the best on this remarkable journey."

Bear Grylls says:
"An epic challenge and one that will touch many lives through the work of Merlin charity. God's speed!"

Dr Steve Fabes says:
“This is the opportunity of a lifetime. I am absolutely petrified and excited in double measure. Knowing that the fundraising will make a huge difference to the work of Merlin spurs me on.”

Merlin Chief Executive Officer Carolyn Miller says:
“It’s a long and extremely arduous and ambitious route and we are honoured that Steve choose Merlin as his charity of choice.   All fundraising will help us deliver vital medical aid to people caught up in conflict, natural disaster and health system collapse.  His support is literally life-saving!”

Adventurer and Everest mountaineer Neil Laughton says:
"Cycling the 6 is an incredible challenge that will test the physique and spirit of one man beyond endurance, beyond the normal span of most extreme adventurous journey's and benefiting a great charity. Steve deserves our respect and support."

ENDS

Note to editors:

1. Steve’s journey will be documented by video diary, written and audio blogs, and still photography. For more information on the project, including an outline of the proposed route, check out the expedition’s website: www.cyclingthe6.com.

High-resolution professional photographs of Steve are available upon request.

2. For more information on Cycling The 6 or to arrange an interview, please contact Steve on 0789 030 7301 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

3. Photo / filming / interview opportunity: Steve will leave at 1.30pm from outside St Thomas’ Hospital on January 5th 2010. He will be available throughout the morning for interviews. Please come down to the launch.

4. Merlin (Medical Emergency Relief International) is a charity that provides front-line emergency medical care in regions of the world affected by war, disease and natural disaster. For more information go to: www.merlin.org.uk

5. The 14 Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are classified by the World Health Organisation. For more information see: http://www.who.int/neglected_diseases/en/

6. Cycling the 6 is sponsored by Lyon Equipment, Buff, Polaris, MSG bikes, Advance Printers, Iwantoneofthose.com and The Cycle Systems academy