Podcasts Culture Go Wild Journey of a Lifetime - Karen Darke. From Source to Sea via Me

Journey of a Lifetime - Karen Darke. From Source to Sea via Me

Published: June 14, 2019, 1 p.m.

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Winner of this 2018's prestigious BBC/RGS dream journey award is Paralympian Karen Darke who rides along the length of Australia's Murray River on hand-cycle

Fresh from competing in the para-triathlon at this year's Commonwealth Games, Rio gold medallist Karen Darke heads for Australia's Snowy Mountains and the source of the 'Mighty' River Murray. On hand-cycle she takes a very personal journey down along its 2000 miles from source to sea.

She reflects on the challenges facing the river as it flows through a drought stricken landscape and she also sees the river as a metaphor for her own fragility- Karen is paralysed from the chest downwards - as she contemplates the end of her athletic career.

Burnt out by the pressure she's experienced in pushing herself to achieve, this cycle journey alongside the powerful and vulnerable Murray River makes her more aware than ever of her own vulnerability. Can something be learned from the river and it\\u2019s people about how to maintain the ability to flow and flourish whilst still delivering?

Produced by Neil McCarthy.

First broadcast on 12 October, 2018.

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