WAVE 3 - Louisville, KYCyclist Leaves On Around-The-World Ride

Cyclist Leaves On Around-The-World Ride

By Justin Wilfon

(CLERMONT, Ky.) -- A Shepherdsville native found a rather unique way to spend his Fourth of July. He started out on an-around-the-world bike trip, leaving Monday morning from Bernheim Forest. WAVE 3's Justin Wilfon was there.

On Independence Day, Julian Cook has found an extreme way to celebrate his. All the Kentucky native needs is his bike and plenty of stamina -- about two years worth. Because that's how long it will take him to ride it around the world.

"Basically the route involved cycling from here, heading east up the east coast to New York City where I take the Queen Mary II across the Atlantic and across the British Isles," said Cook.

His friend, Steven Newman, walked around the world, over 20-years-ago. He's already warned Julian about what he may have to eat.

"Things like sour goat's milk mixed with camel's blood. I had to eat live lobsters. I had to eat snakes. I had to eat cockroach soup," said Newman.

But he's also provided some more valuable advice.

"I've told Julian to bring a photo album of his family, because the main thing people around the world want to know about is your family," Newman said.

Among those Julian's leaving behind is his daughter. He pushed his trip off until she graduated high school.

"She said you really need to go off and do your trip now," Cook said.

It's a trip his mother may not be so supportive of. When he was growing up, she thought riding a bike was too dangerous.

"I always wanted to learn how to ride a bike and I never did. When I was 12 years old -- that's when I decided I'm just going to defy authority and I'm just going to hop on the bike and I'm gonna go," Cook said.

But he never could have imagined he would go this far.

"I figure this is a way to finally get out there and live my dream," Cook said.

Julian Cook has at least temporarily given up his career in the airline industry for this. Most nights, Julian will be staying in a tent he's taking with him but he'll also stay at some hotels.

You can follow his journey on-line at www.worldcyclist.com. He hopes to finish his trip at the Bernheim Forest sometime in the summer of 2007. In case you were wondering, riding a bike around the world has been done before.

Online Reporter: Justin Wilfon

Online Producer: Charles Gazaway