Rosal Fischer, age 25. An enthusiast of the great outdoors to the fingertips, Rosal was brought up in the sun splashed tropics of Far North Queensland, Australia, wearing little more than a bikini... A graduate of the University of Queensland with a social work degree, Rosal has travelled around SE Asia and volunteered as a community development worker on a water supply project in Vietnam for one year. There, she was in charge of the production of a thirty-minute video filmed all around Vietnam, focusing on the problems of access to clean water. Swapping the rainforest for the city, Rosal currently works in London with asylum seekers. After the ride, she will be returning to the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, promoting the role of women in water supply projects.

As well as having a keen interest in permaculture and environmental issues, Rosal has cycled in Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. In 2000, she joined the 'Long Ride Home,' cycling in Pakistan, NW China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

Cass Gilbert, age 27. Born and brought up in London, Cass soon discovered a love for open spaces, greenery, mountains and the sea. He has backpacked extensively around Latin America, joined a Raleigh International expedition to Guyana and taught English for a year in French Guyana. He has a PADI Advanced diving licence and enjoys music, film, and photography. Having graduated from Manchester University with a French degree, he organised his first sponsored bike ride across the hemispheres - The Long Ride Home.

Setting off in November 1998, Cass cycled 25,000 km from Sydney to London, maintaining a web site, writing articles and raising £24,000 for Children With AIDS Charity. Over this journey, he touched upon Central Asia, fuelling his desire to return. While he travelled, the trip was featured in local and national press, including the Daily Express and The Times. Cass stopped at several British embassies, organising local newspaper coverage. Since returning, he's been on HTV news and Trans World Sport (broadcast world-wide including Channel 4), participated in a twenty minute live phone in with BBC Scotland and Radio Solent, as well as an hour's slot of music and chat broadcast over Southern England.

As for his own writing, 28 monthly pieces were published by Cycling Plus, as well as a six-page feature with photos on his return. The trip was also featured in the quarterly Rough News, published by Rough Guides, with articles and photos submitted regularly throughout the two-year ride. Pieces were written for sponsors and their brochures, including Terra Nova Tents, Psion and Ericsson.

For further information please visit www.cyclesydneylondon.com