Across the world cyclists begin final leg to deliver World Cup whistle
OSAKA, Japan (Reuters) - After travelling almost 20,000 km (12,500 miles) across 27 countries since leaving London’s Twickenham Stadium 223 days ago, intrepid cyclists Ron Rutland and James Owens have arrived in Japan and are just a week away from completing their mission.
Since setting off on Feb. 2, the pair have been carrying some very special cargo – the whistle to be used by referee Nigel Owens in the opening match of the Rugby World Cup in Tokyo on Sept. 20.
The whistle has arrived safe and sound in the city of Osaka, with Rutland and Owens preparing for the final 600 km (370 mile) leg of the journey to Tokyo in time for a handover ceremony on Thursday.
As their adventure draws to a close, the pair have mixed feelings.
“It is absolutely surreal to be in Japan,” Rutland told Reuters outside the Osaka headquarters of the parcel delivery company DHL, the main sponsors of their trip.
“There has been some times during this journey that it has been a little touch and go and we had a very tight schedule we had to keep to.”
“Particularly towards the end, I got a little bit sick as well, so the clock started ticking, but we arrived, we hit the ferry when we needed to, arrived in Osaka and there is the small matter of 600 kilometres to Tokyo.”
Although they will stay in Japan for six weeks to enjoy the World Cup, there is a certain sadness their trip is almost over after so many months of the road.
“It is fairly bittersweet to be honest,” said Owens, who was pleased to visit his home city of Hong Kong earlier on the trip.
“Loads to look forward to but there is always at the end of any adventure that sense that I could keep going for a few more months, if not years.”
“I guess that is a sign of how amazing this trip has been.”