Interview with Andrew
It’s unlikely that an insurance broker would be your first thought when thinking about the type of person mad enough to cycle from Manchester to Melbourne across some of the world’s most hostile environments. But a Bolton businessman who has made a career out of assessing risk has suddenly decided to throw caution to the wind as he gets ready to take on the adventure of a lifetime.
For most men of a certain age, the mid-life crisis is all about buying a new sports car, or jetting off with friends to Florida for a golfing holiday.
But one Bolton businessman is looking beyond all the usual clichés as he contemplates the onrush of late fiftydom.
Andrew Crompton will soon be swapping his suit for lycra and clip-in shoes, before pushing off tentatively on a cycling odyssey that will take him across the globe.
The 57year old has barely paused for breath since embarking on a career in corporate insurance broking that saw him set up his own business, Watson Laurie Ltdin 1988.
But he’ll soon be swapping all that for copies of the Rough Guide, sun cream and mosquito repellant. His arduous ride will take him through Europe and the Middle East, then on to India and South East Asia, before pedalling from Cairns all the way down the eastern coast of Australia to arrive in Melbourne, to see his two sons, daughter-in-laws and grandaughter
A lifelong Bolton Wanderers fan, Andrew has always tried to keep himself fit through football, the gym and the odd round of golf. Asked if he has cycled much before, he admits he hasn’t. Or at least not much since childhood when he would sometimes spend the whole day out on his Raleigh Chopper!
But if it all sounds like a mid-life flight of fancy, there’s a serious side to the trip, too, as Andrew is quick to point out:
“I reached a point where I wanted to adopt a much slower pace in life and focusing on this challenge is really helping me make that transition mentally whilst also keeping me physically fit”.
“ I’m also determined to raise as much money as humanly possible for two fantastic charities that I’ve supported for a long time and which are close to my heart, Carers Trust and the Bolton Lads and Girls Club.”
There’s no doubt that Andrew will have earned every penny donated via his fundraising page. He’s aiming to cycle between sixty and sixty-five miles a day, five days a week, while taking a well-earned rest two days a week! He calculates that the schedule will get him from Manchester in July to Melbourne in time for Easter next year.
Finally, Andrew has already ensured that all the costs he’ll incur on the trip are separately covered so every penny donated in support of Manchester to Melbourne for Carers will go towards funding the work of Carers Trust and the Bolton Lads and Girls Club.
“It’s going to be a hard slog at times”, he continues. “But it’ll also be an unbelievable adventure. I’m really looking forward to visiting incredible places, meeting wonderful people and trying out some of the incredible food along the way.
“As if that isn’t motivating enough, I’ll be spurred on every wheel turn of the way by the fact that I’m raising money to benefit unpaid carers and vulnerable children , I just hope my knees hold out!”