Lachlan Prouse
February 13th, 2008
Some of you may remember a cycling gentleman that I met up with in Gao, Mali, last year, by the name of Lachlan Prouse. A fellow Australian, Lachlan had at that point already completed an incredible trip through over fifty countries, including Iran and Afghanistan - this is him here, with my good self.
Well, last week, Lachie turned up, still on two wheels, at our house in the Dandenongs - having landed in Perth some time ago and taken a leisurely cycle across Australia, catching up with mates and family on the way. I can't even begin to tell you how good it was to see him.
Between the last time we met and now, Lachlan has taken an amazing path - through some of the toughest African countries, including the Congo and Angola, to cycle all the way down to Cape Town. On the way he suffered from malaria; was shot at; struggled with infected leg ulcers; and survived months of mosquito infestations, tough country, heat and illness. I said the last time that I met him, that Lachlan is one of the unsung heroes of adventuring, whose exploits make the rest of us look pretty shabby by comparison. He is also one of life's great, gentle souls, who sees his time on the bike as a chance to explore his thoughts, and enjoy his solitude - and who never compromises his integrity.
For me, having Lachie turn up at home was a wonderful chance to really talk about my walk with someone who has seen me in the middle of it, and even better, someone who really gets what it is like to do this stuff. I don't think I stopped talking all weekend, and I felt like I had been through some great therapy by the end of it. For me Lachlan is the one person with whom I do not need to explain things too -he has been there and done it, to a greater degree than I have, and he gets it, totally.
I often come across people who have done pretty amazing stuff. But I have yet to meet anyone who has done anything in such a committed, wholehearted, yet understated way as Lachie. No website, no media, no sponsors; just a miniscule budget, a lot of hand stitched clothes, an old $200 bike that has gone all the way since China, and a thousand nights spent in yurts and huts from Mongolia to Lesotho. He has outraced bandits intent on taking his life, stoned soldiers unconcerned with whether or not their bullets hit him, and the incessant demands of starving and sick locals desperate for whatever he may be able to provide. He has done the tough months of isolation and pain, and withstood the incredible mental strain of pushing through country after country under the most demanding of conditions.
And yet we sit out on the balcony over a beer and all I am really aware of is the calm, gentle acceptance of someone who knows their place in life, and is happy to simply be in it. I wanted to put this post up because for me, and I know for Graeme also, having Lachie in our home for a few days was one of the highlights of the last twelve months. Wherever you are, mate, happy wheels, and may our paths cross again - I will be busting my butt to make it to Cairo the same time as you!
All our love. Stay cool.
Entry Filed under: trekking
5 Comments Add your own
1. Russell Johnston | March 5th, 2008 at 9:08 am
I knew Lachlan from football days when he was young thanks for sharing his story it is truly great cheers
2. Julia Nolan | April 4th, 2008 at 1:42 am
Dear Paula, I have just finished your book and so full of appreciation, have looked up the web for this site. So much of your writing is rich and expressive, thoughtful and unconsciously wise; the only way true wisdom is expressed believe me. Your writing has a distinctive voice; an Australian voice. There are not many women writing with our robust Australian English voice, or discovering the world from our antipodean perspective culturally. It is so easy to feel culturally shallow out of Australia, even in it! In fact, what we have to offer the ‘others’ from our truly lonely and terrible otherness is the perspective you described towards the end of your book. The perspective about a world without borders. Your writing of the flamenco scene is exquisite. Congratulations!
3. Alan Richards | May 4th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
great to here about some one who has met lockie on his traviles, Have known lockie since he was a young fella, have a lot of time for him.Was lucky enough to catch up to him when he was home the other month. A true gentalman and great mate.
4. Steven Adusei | September 14th, 2008 at 7:43 am
it was a gr8 experience he stayed with me whilst he was in Ghana.
So cool.
5. Guy Chamberlain | February 27th, 2009 at 11:42 am
Lachlan (Lockie) Prouse is the most extraordinary young man I have ever met. I was priviliged to talk to him mostly at the Sudanese Embassy in Addis Ababa where we spent many hours waiting for a visa and later at the Taitu Hotel, the dates were between 2nd Feb and 6th Feb 2009.
I grilled him and heard some extraordinary stories from him, for example his journey throughout Tibet. His encounter with a Lion at Isiolo in Kenya. Him being chased by rogues in the Congo.
When I met him he had been bicycling for nearly 5 years and I beleive had done 88,000 kms!!! I understand he returned to Australia once and peddled from Perth to Sydney for a wedding!!!
I hope he remembers me; a rather old back packer travelling from Cape to Cairo, I made it and I am home now.
Last time I saw him was on Feb 6th 2009 we collected our passports from the Sudan Embassy in Addis at 1530hrs and at 1535 hrs he climbed on his bike and peddled off to Lake Tanna. I later met the Swiss couple (driving a 30 year old VW Combi van) who had passed him near the bridge over the Blue Nile.
Lachlan is truly one of the most remarkable young men I have met, modest and quietly spoken, I had to gently drag out all the stories from him. He has an extraordinary inner strength - it is actually visible when one meets him.
I am proud to have made his acquaintance and have benefited from it.
Guy Chamberlain
27th February 2009
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