Theft in Brazil didn’t faze me
Mugging doesn’t stop world cyclist
A round-the-world cyclist from Stirling has thanked supporters and says she will cycle on despite being mugged while in Brazil.
Ishbel Taromsari from Plean has had many adventures while taking part in the global challenge including being taken to a Syrian Revolution Command Centre while cycling the Syrian border in 2014 and biking across the Andes from Chile into Bolivia during a freak snowstorm.
However, she says being mugged last Friday just hours after arriving in Anchieta on the east coast of Brazil was one of her lowest points yet.
While the 36-year-old was thankfully uninjured, expensive camera equipment she uses to capture images of her travels and share with thousands of followers on her social media sites, was taken.
Donations, however, have started to come in in a bid to help her replace it and to fund accommodation which she normally does not need because she ‘wild’ camps wherever she goes.
She told the Observer: “It was one bad moment, yes. But I have a million other amazing moments that happened since arriving in Brazil.
“Brazil is the most dangerous country I’ve ever cycled yet I’ve also experienced the greatest friendliness, help and consideration than any other country.
“I’m making videos to show the world the reality for street animals and hopefully more help and support will be gained to those rescuing.”
Ishbel has cycled throughout the world including Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Bolivia, Turkey, France, Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, and Greece.
She has a British mother and Iranian father and dual citizenship – but first fell in love with cycling in Stirling as a girl. Before starting to cycle the world around three years ago, she was a velodrome track sprinter for the Iranian Women’s Team and a velodrome sprinter for Glasgow Life and a Scottish Institute of Sport Athlete.
While pedalling through Turkey she came across a street dog whom she named Lucy.
Badly injured from being attacked by other dogs, Lucy also had 31 shotgun pellets throughout her body. Ishbel fashioned a box to the front of her bike and cycled over 200 miles to get help.
“Now that I will not wild camp in Brazil I need to pay for camp sites and hostels. Night time is dangerous here,” added Ishbel.
“Because of this I’m now pushing ahead with finding a publisher for my book about Lucy the Street Dog. A publishing deal to me means camp sites and my safety.
“I hope I don’t have to reconsider cycle touring Brazil but time will tell.”
Anyone who would like to donate can go to ‘Fund for a New Camera’ at www.worldbikegirl.com or Paypal ishbelodrome@gmail.com.