Many families look for different activities to do over the summer holidays, but Lloyd Godson and his 11-year-old son Oliver have gone a step beyond most.
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Port Macquarie father and son prepare to unicycle 480kms across Tasmania
Lloyd Godson and his son Oliver are going to ride unicycles across Tasmania.(Supplied: Thomas Bauer)
Riding a unicycle almost 500 kilometres over mountainous, rocky terrain is not something many people would consider.
It is a challenge embraced by Port Macquarie secondary school teacher Lloyd Godson and his 11-year-old son Oliver.
They will soon set off from their NSW Mid North Coast home and embark on an expedition unicycling the long-distance Tasmanian Trail which runs from Devonport in the north to Dover in the south-east.
They will cycle an average of 25-35 kilometres a day with a significant elevation gain, camping along the way.
"Our first day is relatively easy … but from there things get a little more difficult," Mr Godson said.
"We go up to the central plateau of Tasmania, up about 1,000 metres of elevation.
"The total elevation gain throughout the 480-kilometre journey is about the equivalent of riding up Mount Everest, so about 8,500 metres.
Inspired by youth in Taiwan
Mr Godson took up unicycling during a COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 for his own mental health, after a back injury prevented him from running.
He said he found many benefits and decided to share his new hobby with others, gathering together young people and mentors and encouraging them to learn.
Mr Godson says he was then inspired to plan a longer unicycle expedition after seeing a story about a unicycle adventure for youth in Taiwan.
"There was an all-boys Christian home in Taiwan working with disengaged youth and the mentor there decided to use unicycles as a way of re-engaging these young people and building character," he said.
Mr Godson says unicycling involves a different set of muscles from a regular bicycle.(Supplied: Thomas Bauer)
11-year-old Oliver has prepared a detailed trip plan for the Tasmanian Trail.(Supplied: Thomas Bauer)
Lloyd's wife Carolina will also be tackling the expedition on a two-wheeled bicycle, towing their five-year-old daughter.(Supplied: Lloyd Godson)
Mr Godson's wife Carolina Sarasiti and five-year-old daughter Ariadne are also embarking on the expedition — not on unicycles though.
"My wife will be riding a two-wheel bike with my daughter in a bike trailer getting towed … we'll see how that goes getting up the big hills," he said.
Ms Sarasiti says she is looking forward to the challenge.
"Our Tasmanian adventure will be a huge test for my mind and body. I'll be visualising my dog waiting for me at the end. And some chocolate too," she said.
Sixteen-year-old Thomas Bauer, from Port Macquarie, is also joining the adventure.
"He is passionate about filmmaking and will film and photograph the expedition for us," Mr Godson said.
The family, and a support crew, will set off from Devonport in early January.