Bad turn has a happy end
BRITISH teen Charlie Condell, whose dreams of becoming the youngest person to cycle around the world were nearly scuppered by thieves in Townsville, is back on two wheels and due to be on his way.
The 18- year- old from Bristol survived cycling through 17 countries from Europe through to Asia, including “a few close calls” in Serbia and India, but it was a stopover in Townsville that brought his trip to a standstill.
His bicycle was stolen last Monday outside his hostel. Thieves took everything, including his camping gear, his passport and even his socks.
But Townsville has turned his luck around.
Eight days later, Mr Condell is due to leave town early today on his new bike.
Donated by bicycle company Cervelo, the roadbike is identical to the stolen one and was shipped from Perth.
The teen has also been taken care of by “Aussie mums” in Townsville, the women from the Townsville Saints Rotary Club.
“It’s a real silver lining, see a bad thing happened and I’ve met a lot of new people, a lot of new friends who have looked after me,” Mr Condell said.
“I wasn’t expecting any of this. I was expecting to find a new bike, buy it with my own money … and be on my way within a few days.
“So the fact that people have taken me in, looked after me … it’s been phenomenal.”
Townsville Saints Rotary Club president Tricia Ritson said the women took him in after one of their members found out about his plight.
“We found out that he was actually fundraising for midwives,” she said.
“It’s something that’s dear to our hearts being a female Rotary group so we thought we’d pitch in and help as a club.”
Mr Condell plans to cycle down the east coast before crossing the Tasman Sea to New Zealand.