A Forest Hill couple have returned from an epic two-year honeymoon where they cycled halfway around the globe on a tandem bike.
Kat and Steve Turner, 34, braved soaring heat and arctic temperatures, dog attacks as well as navigating through police states during their around 31,000 km cycling feat from New Zealand to London.
The pioneering pair visited 22 countries and climbed a total height of 249,365m - the equivalent to cycling up Everest 28 times - in their 699 day journey on their tandem, nicknamed Hooch.
The 'tandem Turners', who lived in Kemble Road, started their honeymoon with a difference in April 2012 - giving up jobs as a teacher and parliamentary caseworker to raise cash for sustainable development charity Practical Action.
Mrs Turner, 32, who learned how to ride a bike just days before the challenge, said: "It has been a fantastic journey, and an amazing experience. There were so many people we met that made it special.
"It has certainly made the world seem like a much less scary place.
"But it was extremely difficult too, and not as romantic as you imagine your honeymoon might be - most of our nights were spent in a tiny two-person tent rubbing cream into each other’s sore bits."
Their adventure began in New Zealand’s South Island and took them across south east Asia, and countries including China, Uzbekistan and Turkey as well as former Soviet states before finishing at Hampton Court Palace on March 29.
They are currently staying with Kat’s mum in Penge where they say they are enjoying normality.
Steve and Kat’s journey in numbers...
Time in the saddle: 1,585 hours
Days travelling: 699
Kilometres cycled: 30,500kms
Average kilometres per day: 72kms
Countries visited: 22
Height gained: 249,365m
To find out more visit practicalaction/tandemturners.org
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