Redlands local Brent Collyer cycles around the world

On returning to Australia after a speedway racing career in the United Kingdom, he rode a bicycle to work every day from Redland Bay to Archerfield.

Now, the 43-year-old has embarked on a mission to cycle solo around the world.

After a practice run riding solo from Perth to Brisbane, he set off to Singapore in April. 

He then rode through Malaysia, Thailand and China and into Kazakhstan.  

Brent’s father, John Collyer, said it was his son’s desire for adventure and his free spirit that first took him to Asia.

“He was feeling too cooped up (at his job in a laboratory),” Mr Collyer said.

“He’d had enough and he had to get out of there.”

About 14,000 kilometres into the Asian leg of his journey, Brent has stopped in Khorgas, a town just inside Kyrgyzstan.

Mr Collyer said Brent had faced danger on the road but had taken it in his stride.

Camping in Kazakhstan, Brent said his campsite was approached by people holding torches and clubs.

Police had pulled Brent over to check his identification.

Riding along the Mongolian border Brent said police had escorted him to a hotel and monitored him overnight, before sending him off again in the morning.

“We think he’s managing well,” Mr Collyer said. 

“He’s pretty carefree, and he hasn’t got the worries we’ve got.”

“(The police) have chased after him a couple of times, but that’s just because he hasn’t arrived in the next town he said he was headed for,” Mr Collyer said.

“We’re just glad they’re looking after him.”

Mr Collyer said the journey had taught Brent about cultural customs and practices.

“It’s been a real surprise, everything he’s seen. He’s been really shocked at how friendly people have been.”

Brent is heading back to Australia next month but his riding days are not over.

He will fly into Darwin on November 9 before cycling back to the Redlands.

“We’re looking forward to having him home again,” Mr Collyer said. 

“We don’t know how he’ll settle down to a regular job after this adventure.”