Bangor University graduate sets off on journey of a lifetime

A Bangor University student is setting out on an exciting expedition across the world.

Shaun McCance, 32, from South Gloucestershire, who graduated with a PGCE in Mathematics in 2008 from Bangor University, is setting out with a team to complete a lap of the planet, riding the length of the six main populated continents. An expedition across the world, by pedal power – a bespoke journey currently standing at over 38,000 miles and taking in seven summits along the way.

Shaun, originally from Wiltshire, said:  “I have long had the ambition to ride long distance and eventually set the date with a good friend, a date to which we have been working towards for the past three years.  With the level of interest spurring us on, and the prospect of raising a significant sum through public donations on the back of a very noteworthy journey for an exceptional cause, led to the development of the expedition into a world first attempt at seven summits by bike.”

“Travelling by bike allows an unrivalled perspective of the cultures and landscapes along the way. With a mutual love of photography and cycling, and with the skills to go far beyond the comfort of the tourist trail, we are taking the challenge of carefully recording a passionate and genuine image of the world along the way. Through careful and thoughtful use, the camera offers a valuable tool for educating and raising awareness; as passionate photographers we are setting out on the Chasing the Sunrise expedition to document first-hand the landscape and culture across the planet.”

Route overview “The Chasing the Sunrise expedition aims to educate and inspire along the way, and back home in the developed world, promoting awareness of conservation and climate change across the planet.  This whilst raising money for the great work of the World Wildlife Foundation.”

“In March 2016, the journey will take me and the team through some of the most remote and least visited parts of the globe; and leaving the asphalt behind and scaling some of the planets most respected mountains on route.”

About Bangor, he added: “Bangor was an obvious choice for me.  Having lived in London for a year I’d realised that being close to the mountains were where I felt most at home.  This narrowed my choices down to a small handful of Universities of which Bangor University had one of the best reputations for Teacher Training. The university was one of the best choices I made.”

Publication date: 8 February 2016