Man completes 2,800 mile scoot across Australia
Sunday, 23 August 2026
Warm-up
- What is the longest journey you have ever made?
- Have you ever used a scooter or bicycle for a trip? Where did you go?
- Which Australian cities do you know? What do you know about them?
Vocabulary
- scooter
- A small two-wheeled vehicle you stand on and push with one foot.
- charity
- An organisation that raises money to help people in need.
- hospice
- A place or service that cares for people with serious illness.
- route
- The path or way between two places.
- submit
- To send documents to an organisation for review.
- recognise
- To officially accept something as true or successful.
- mirror
- A glass part on a vehicle that helps you see behind you.
- handlebar
- The bar you hold to steer a bicycle or scooter.
Reading
Bob Brown from Saltash, Cornwall has crossed Australia on a non-electric kick scooter. He started in July in Perth and finished in Sydney, travelling about 2,800 miles (4,506km). He hopes to set two Guinness World Records: the fastest crossing by kick scooter, and the first to complete the route by running, cycling and travelling by scooter.
Brown, 57, aimed to raise £5,000 for three charities, including MacMillan Cancer Support, St Luke's Hospice and Children's Hospice South West. He knows the route well: in 2001 he ran 3,000 miles in 60 days, and in 2003 he cycled it.
The ride was not easy. On day five, his mirror was clipped by a passing vehicle and he skidded but was OK. On the last day, with 20km to go, a handlebar broke on a steep hill and he fell. Even so, he finished in 31 days, four hours and 10 minutes. He has submitted proof to Guinness and must wait to see if it will recognise his achievements.
Comprehension
- Where did Bob start and finish his scooter journey?
- How far did he travel across Australia?
- Which two records does Bob hope to get from Guinness?
- What accident happened to Bob on the last day?
- How long did the trip take in total?
Grammar focus
Can / could
Can shows ability now; could shows ability in the past or a less certain possibility. Use can for present ability and could for past ability. (Examples constructed.)
- He can scooter 30 km in a day.
- When he was younger, he could run farther each day.
Grammar exercise
Complete each sentence with the correct form.
- A rider (ride) ___ a scooter 30 km in a day.
- When he was younger, a rider (ride) ___ farther each day.
- With practice, anyone (balance) ___ better on a scooter.
- Before training, he (manage) ___ only short rides.
- Volunteers (help) ___ collect money for charities this week.
Discussion
- Would you like to cross a country by scooter? Why or why not?
- What long journey could you do in your country?
- How can charities encourage people to donate to a cause?
- What safety gear should riders wear on the road?
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