Sarah Maddock had no idea as she searched for her name on Google several years ago that she was setting the wheels in motion for a modern day adventure.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Leaving Sydney on Wednesday September 19, Ms Maddock should arrive in Melbourne on September 28. Goulburn and Yass locals will be able to meet the champion when she passes through both city and town around the weekend of September 22.
Many of us have looked up our names on Google, but not many of us then expect to find we share the same name and story with a historical hero. But this Sarah Maddock just happened to do so.
Twenty-first century Sarah Maddock has set herself the same cycling challenge that nineteenth-century Sarah Maddock did, from Sydney to Melbourne, in just ten days.
Another era, the original Sarah Maddock was the first female in 1894 to travel so far by bicycle.
It was this story that modern-day Ms Maddock stumbled across in her search and will relive and tell on her upcoming journey.
Ms Maddock is currently gearing up to a goal of five to seven hours riding per day at a speed of 20 kilometres per hour, pushing through muscle aches and pains, potential headwinds, hunger and thirst.
These are only a few of the challenges she’ll face, but it will be the triumphant story that will keep Ms Maddock going in difficult times.
“The fact that someone’s gone before me and achieved this, is what will keep me going,” she explained.
Connecting to her past doppelganger, Ms Maddock has also reached out to each of former Ms Maddock’s great-grandchildren, giving her a greater insight into her character and story.
“I think the combination of the history of the story and the ride is what’s appealing to me. Timing wise, it’s kind of now or never,” Ms Maddock said.
“I’ve had the opportunity to track down her great-grandchildren, I’ve been thinking about it forever and now the momentum is going. I thought it was time to set the date and do it.”
Currently, she is notching up 100km per weekend as part of their training. All along, it’s been the old tale of adventure and courage that’s given her the leap of faith to step outside of her box, hoping others will follow.
“I’ve noticed that everyone’s been supportive about all of this, but also wary. I don’t think we take modern-day adventures enough anymore.
“I hope I’m encouraging people to challenge themselves. It doesn’t have to be cycling, just whatever is accessible and interesting to them.”
