Norwegian Rollerblader Completes Epic 5500km Trek from Sydney to Perth
For most travellers, the journey from Sydney to Perth involves a five-hour flight or a lengthy drive behind the wheel. However, Joachim Lanham, a 23-year-old Norwegian rollerblading enthusiast, chose a far more adventurous path, completing the 5500km distance on inline skates. Arriving in Perth on Saturday after 53 grueling days, Mr Lanham celebrated his remarkable achievement by treating himself to two litres of chocolate milk, marking the end of an extraordinary cross-continental challenge.
A Series of Ambitious Adventures
Mr Lanham's journey from Sydney to Perth is the latest in a series of increasingly ambitious rollerblading expeditions that began when he was just a teenager. "It started as a bet when I was 17 to skate across Denmark," he explained. "And then it was kind of like what's next. I did Norway to Prague, and at that point it started getting cold... I thought well, it's snowing here, so why not go to Australia, It's warm there." What awaited him in Australia, however, was more than just warm weather; it was an experience filled with unexpected kindness and breathtaking landscapes.
The Warmth of Australian Hospitality
One of the most memorable aspects of Mr Lanham's journey was the hospitality he encountered along the way. "The best part was the people, coming from Europe, no one talks to you," he said. "You could be doing the most crazy thing on the side of the road, they will not stop or slow down, they might honk at you because you're in the way but that's about it. So the idea of people stopping and asking why you're doing this or giving you a beer was just magical, it just hit me crazily." This contrast in social interaction provided a significant boost to his morale during the long and isolated stretches of highway.
Mental and Physical Challenges of the Trek
The physical toll of skating 5500km across some of Australia's most remote highways was substantial, but Mr Lanham noted that the mental challenges often loomed larger. "Being lonely is the biggest battle," he admitted. Despite this, the stunning Australian terrain helped lift his spirits each day. "You see something different every day, from bushes to dust and just sand and then the clear skies," he described. "I got to end every day on a clear night sky, you just get to see the stars and stargaze. At some point I gave up on using a tent and just laid on the dirt on a sleeping mat and just looked up because it's just gorgeous."
From Ice Skating to Rollerblading Adventures
Mr Lanham first took up rollerblading at the age of 15 after stepping away from the ice rink. "I started rollerblading when I was 15 because I used to ice skate and I missed the feeling of ice skating," he shared. This passion has since evolved into a series of long-distance journeys, with the Sydney to Perth trek being his most ambitious to date. Now that he has reached Perth, Mr Lanham is already contemplating his next adventure, suggesting, "Maybe I'll do a celebratory lap around Rottnest."
His story serves as an inspiring testament to human endurance and the pursuit of unique challenges, highlighting how a simple bet in Denmark has led to a life of extraordinary rollerblading expeditions across continents.
