Nicola Rutzou
Earlier this week, BA caught up with explorer and expedition cyclist Dr Kate Leeming, who will begin her next epic expedition next month to the heart of Central Asia.
Many of you would be familiar with Leeming’s past adventures. With 100,000km worth of cycle expeditions under her belt, she’s cycled the width of Africa, pedalled 25,000km around Australia, is the first woman to cycle unsupported across ‘new’ Russia, and led an expedition in the Himalayas. To name a few of her achievements.
In March, she begins her epic 4.5-month, 10,000km bicycle journey through the heart of Central Asia, the hub of the ancient Silk Roads. Leeming’s adventure will follow the Syr Darya (Jaxartes River) from its source in the Tien Shan, Kyrgyzstan, to the Aral Sea, and from there, trace the Amu Darya (Oxus River) to its source in the Wakhan Corridor, Afghanistan.
The expedition’s finale will be to locate and flag the previously unverified true source of the historical Amu Darya, which explorer Bill Colegrave deduced in 2007 is at the head of the Chelab Stream in the Afghan Pamir.
She plans to focus on the Aral Sea, which has shrunk to roughly a tenth of its size since the 1960s. Leeming says it is largely a result of the blatant over-production of water-thirsty cotton crops in the Soviet and post-Soviet eras, the issue compounded by climate change. “Considered one of the worst man-made environmental disasters in history, it is also a warning to the rest of the world of what could happen if we don’t take better care of it. I aim to explore the causes and impacts of this ecological catastrophe and find out what is being done to preserve, restore, adapt and improve threatened livelihoods.”
Leeming plans to begin her adventure on World Water Day, 22 March 2025, to focus on the importance of working together to manage water.
“Travelling by bicycle gives an intimate, grounded perspective of how a region fits together: the landscape and the local people – the issues they face and their hopes for the future,” added Leeming.
For the expedition, Leeming will use two bikes suited to different terrains. Her trusty Christini mountain bike fitted with three-inch-wide tyres will be used for rougher terrain, like 4WD tracks. For smoother roads, she’ll ride a new Enve MOG gravel bike. This is a new adventure gravel bike from Enve, a company best known for its high-end wheels.
Leeming says she carries minimal tools and spares, keeping her equipment as simple and light as possible with no hydraulic or electronic parts.
Leeming will partner with Water.org, a global NGO working to raise funds and awareness to bring clean water and sanitation to the world (co-founded by Matt Damon). She will also collaborate with UN Water and UNESCO (Education for Sustainable Development).
During the expedition, Leeming will present live classes through her partnership with Breaking the Cycle Education and Canadian organisation ExploringByTheSeat.com. The classes will be presented on livestream and recorded, and she’ll provide regular video updates. She will also collaborate with The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, Jamboree on Pedals (Scouts Australia initiative), and others.
A four-part documentary series will be produced for primetime broadcast and streaming channels.
Leeming will be accompanied by an experienced filmmaker (Production team coordinated by Reza Pakravan, A-OK Media House). Central Asia specialist Iman Rahim (Snow Leopard Tours) will facilitate the complex logistics. Bill Colegrave will join the team to help locate the source of the Oxus River, Wakhan Corridor.
