Saltash Man Completes 2,800-Mile Scoot Across Australia

Bob Brown from Saltash completes a 2,800-mile journey across Australia on a non-electric scooter, aiming for Guinness World Records.

A man has successfully crossed Australia on a non-electric kick scooter, completing an impressive challenge spanning approximately 2,800 miles.

Bob Brown, hailing from Saltash, Cornwall, embarked on his journey from Perth to Sydney back in July, wrapping up his trip on Monday.

Intending to set two Guinness World Records, Brown aims to be the quickest person to traverse the nation on a kick scooter while also striving to be the first individual to cover the route using three different modes of transport: running, cycling, and scootering.

At 57 years old, Brown expressed a desire for one more grand adventure before age catches up with him. He remarked, “After a lifetime packed with adventure, I wanted another epic adventure before I got too old.” Brown is no stranger to the Australian landscape as he has previously run and cycled across the country.

His journey also has a charitable component; Brown hoped to raise £5,000 for three organizations: MacMillan Cancer Support, St Luke’s Hospice, and Children’s Hospice South West.

In 2001, he made history as the first Briton to run across Australia, covering a staggering 3,000 miles in just 60 days. Two years later, he cycled the same route, becoming the first person to both run and cycle across the continent.

Brown’s mission extends beyond mere record-setting; he wants to encourage younger generations to step away from their screens and rediscover the beauty of adventure outside. He expressed his thoughts on this aim, saying, “I wanted to raise awareness of the need for youngsters to get off their screens and devices and to seek out adventure.”

Despite facing challenges along the way, including an injury incurred during the trip, Brown persevered and completed his journey in 31 days, four hours, and ten minutes.

He recounted an incident on day five when his wing mirror was clipped by a passing vehicle, causing him to skid onto the hard shoulder. Fortunately, he emerged “relatively unscathed.” However, the final leg of his journey was also fraught with difficulty; just 20 kilometers from the finish line, he endured a serious fall when his handlebars broke while descending a steep hill.

Brown has now submitted his documentation to Guinness World Records and is awaiting confirmation of his remarkable achievements.