Woman cycling across Australia on stand-up elliptical bike

When some people want a fitness challenge, they set themselves a small, achievable goal – such as run a 10-kilometre race or work out three times a week.

When others fancy pushing themselves, they go to extreme lengths.

Take British adventurer Emma Timmis, 33, for instance – who has recently set herself the goal of crossing Australia and 8,000 kilometres on a stand-up elliptical bike – in a bid to set a world record.

‘I love to push my body and my mind,’ the 33-year-old told Daily Mail Australia of the experience.

‘I love to push my body and my mind,’ the 33-year-old told Daily Mail Australia of the experience (pictured on her elliptical bike)

So just how is Ms Timmis carrying out her adventure?

‘I knew I wanted to travel from the furthest town in the West [Denham, Western Australia] to the furthest town in the east [Cape Byron, NSW],’ she said.

‘The idea of exploring the coast really appealed so it was quite simple to plan.’

As a runner, the adventurer is no stranger to endurance events. 

But Ms Timmis said she wanted to try something different on a bike because ‘cycling is a great way to explore places’.

‘I knew I wanted to travel from the furthest town in the West [Denham, Western Australia] to the furthest town in the east [Cape Byron, NSW],’ she said of her plans

The 33-year-old landed on cycling, because even though she is a runner, she said cycling is a ‘great way to explore places’

Right now, Ms Timmis is carrying out the adventure – solo and unsupported – as she tows everything she needs behind her on a trailer:

‘I made sure I had quite a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables in the lead-up to the trip,’ she explained.

‘Because I knew I wouldn’t be able to get my hands on much in the more remote areas.’

With regards to prior training, Ms Timmis said she did ‘a lot of core and strengthening exercises in the lead-up as your core gets a great workout on the ElliptiGO’.

But she also said it’s mainly been mental prep she’s had to deal with.

‘I needed to have a good understanding of how far apart towns and facilities would be, as sometimes there isn’t access to water.’

With regards to prior training, Ms Timmis said she did ‘a lot of core and strengthening exercises’ – she said the majority of the prep was mental, however

So far, Ms Timmis has reached Melbourne (pictured: map of Australia), where she will remain until Monday before completing the journey to Cape Byron

At present, Ms Timmis is making her way through Melbourne – where she will be until Monday before she resumes the gruelling journey.

‘The best thing about this journey so far has been the unexpected kindness of strangers along the way,’ she said.

‘Form people pulling over to give me water and fruit to the people that have messaged me online and offered me a shower and a bed, I can’t believe the generosity of people in Australia.’

The 33-year-old concluded by saying that she stays focused by ‘always thinking about the next milestone’.

‘Big ones and small ones. Getting to the next supermarket is also always something that keeps me focused!,’ she laughed.

Emma Timmis’s journey can be followed on her Facebook page here.