Richmond cyclist completes round-the-world charity ride

Nick Franke, 28, from St Margarets, returned home to a hero’s welcome on May 16, nearly 11 and a half months after setting off from London on a solo cycling journey spanning 32 countries.

He rode through Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the United States to raise funds for Future Hope, a charity in Kolkata supporting street children with shelter, education and healthcare.

Nick Franke setting off through Richmond Park May last year (Image: Future)

Nick said: "I left London on 24 May last year with around 15 friends riding through Richmond Park.

"Four came with me into Europe, but only to the Hook of Holland. After that, I was on my own."

The charity was founded by his uncle, Tim Grandage MBE. Arriving at the charity’s base in December, Mr Franke said it was a highlight of his journey.

Nick (Image: Future)

He said: "Future Hope is honestly the most positive and joyful place I’ve ever been. The energy and determination of the children is infectious.

"Future Hope supports around 400 children in their school at any one time, and thousands more through community programmes, but space is tight. They’re now trying to build a larger school outside Kolkata."

His most gruelling stretch was crossing the United States, cycling from Los Angeles to New York in just 20 days and averaging 260km a day.

He faced tough conditions and mechanical challenges along the way. He said: "The bike’s taken a battering but has been fairly indestructible.

"I’ve gone through four sets of tyres, six chains and even a pair of shifter hoods that literally melted in 48-degree heat in the Australian outback. There were hairy moments, but the good experiences outweighed the bad by a mile."

Generosity from strangers stood out as a defining memory.

He continued: "After five punctures in one day in Turkey, a group of men practically force-fed me a giant watermelon, insisted I stay for dinner and refused to let me ride on after dark because they were worried about my safety. That sort of thing happened everywhere."

Returning home, Nick said it was meaningful to finish where his journey began.

He added: "Rolling back in there after crossing continents feels a fitting end."