A CYCLIST who embarked on the adventure of a lifetime will be passing through Coventry with her rescued street dog, Maria.
Ishbel Holmes set off to cycle the world, pedalled across 20 countries solo, rescuing street dogs (and the odd cat) along the way.
Now she is cycling a UK wide speaking tour with her dog Maria, whom she rescued cycling across Brazil last year.
Ishbel, who is Scottish-Iranian, was a velodrome sprinter for Iran and she will be talking about her adventures at an event in FarGo Village on August 20.
She will tell tales of animal rescues by bike, pedalling across the Andes at 5,000 meters and cycling through the Pantanal Jungle.
She will also describe tracing Che Guevara’s final footsteps, crossing a country with no money, her viral one woman protest in Bolivia, and what it’s like to be faced with 20 years in prison if she returns to Iran for defending every women’s right to cycle.
Ishbel says she hopes to inspire people to use their negative experiences to propel them into positive futures.
Ishbel has written a memoir documenting her adventures and a journey of self-discovery sparked by her love for Lucy, the very first street dog she rescued whilst cycling across Turkey.
It also touches on her experiences of foster care, homelessness, and being unwanted.
It’s called ‘Me, My Bike and a Street Dog Called Lucy’ and there is a film being made about her life.
She says her talk will resonate with cyclists, outdoor enthusiasts, animal lovers, and anyone who’s struggled.
