Riding out the Recession

Sean Maher's road odyssey

A British Politics graduate from Exeter University will try to beat his current dim job prospects by cycling over 12,000 miles, starting from Cornwall, in an attempt to reach Cape Town in Africa.

“I was applying for the jobs with the biggest salaries and not the ones I felt passionate about. In other years that wouldn't have mattered, but this year, with graduate schemes cut or the numbers admitted reduced, it did,” Sean Maher, 21, said.

Instead of doing nothing, Maher decided to follow his dream to cycle to Africa where he plans to not only embark on a cycle tour – but to develop a greater understanding of the global effects of the recession. He leaves in November.

“For me personally it will be an escape from the doom and gloom of the ‘credit crunch’ and a chance to ‘Ride out the Recession,’” he says.

Already having received words of wisdom from the British adventurer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, who himself holds several endurance records, Maher says there is no turning back. However, he doesn’t recommend his forthcoming adventure to everyone.

“I chose to do this because I didn't think a Masters degree or an equivalent postgraduate qualification would help me as a person or as a potential employee. For some people, however, a masters would be the best option.”

“I also think it helps to have a screw loose or a moment of madness,” he added.

Maher will start his journey by cycling to Plymouth before getting the ferry to France. Then he will ride to Spain before taking another ferry to Morocco. His route through Africa will be decided nearer the time taking into account Foreign and Commonwealth Office safety guidelines. Any donations received, he says, will go to charity. These include Robert Jones Leukaemia Fund, Wooden Spoon, Pump Aid and Unicef.

If you would like to make a donation visit his webpage at www.ridingouttherecession.co.uk