Tag: Tour Cycling

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Valentin Lazar: Cycling Africa and The Middle East Over 20,000 Kilometers

This podcast episode that will take you on a journey across continents, through adversity, and into the heart of human experience. Today we’re diving into an epic adventure that defies imagination.

Picture this: A lone cyclist, pedaling across the globe, starting in the quaint villages of Central Europe and venturing into the rugged Balkans. But that’s just the beginning. Our intrepid traveler pushes eastward, through the ancient lands of Georgia and Armenia, into the mystical realms of Iran, and across the Gulf countries.

But hold onto your handlebars, because the real heart-pounding adventure kicks off in Kenya. Imagine cycling mere meters from the Equator, your body dripping with sweat, as you navigate through a land of stark contrasts – from gut-wrenching poverty to breathtaking beauty, from perilous game reserves teeming with lions to encounters with some of the kindest souls on Earth.

From the wildlands of Africa to the roof of the world – Valentin aims to pedal on the legendary Pamir and Karakoram Highways, before seeking solace in the vibrant chaos of India. And that’s just the halfway point! Southeast Asia, Australia, and the diverse tapestry of Latin America all lie ahead on this incredible odyssey.

You might think this journey is an insurmountable challenge, a feat reserved for superhumans. But here’s the twist – our cyclist found it less daunting than expected. What secrets of human resilience and global kinship has this journey unveiled?

Tune in now to hear firsthand accounts of close encounters with wildlife, heartwarming tales of human connection, and insights that will challenge your perception of our world. This is a masterclass in human endurance, cultural understanding, and the art of embracing the unknown.

Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the world through the eyes of a global cyclist. Click play now and let the adventure begin. Your perspective on travel, humanity, and your own potential will never be the same.

Contact Valentin and follow his adventure on Instagram and Facebook here: @valentin_vagabond

To support the podcast please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

To find out more about host George Balarezo’s adventures, you can find the book Unhinged in Ethiopia: Two Thousand Kilometers of Hell and Heaven on a Bicycle at the following link- https://intrepidglobalcitizen.com/

Contact me at george@intrepidglobalcitizen.com and let me know your thoughts and feelings about the podcast or if you have a story you’d like to share.

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Joy Ride: A Bicycle Odyssey From Alaska to Argentina

Explorers Kristen and Ville Jokinen met and fell in love while scuba diving in Vietnam. Ville then left his native Finland to join Kristen in Oregon and together they embarked on a life-changing two-year cycling adventure covering 18,000 miles from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, to Ushuaia, Argentina. Despite never having cycled further than around the block, they persevered unrelenting, punishing rain and wind, altitude sickness, dog attacks, bike accidents, and countless flat tires to cycle between the ends of the earth.

Kristen and Ville believe that kindness connects us to our shared humanity. They held babies, attended quinceañeras, drank pulque, played soccer, and visited schools. People in Mexico, Central America, and South America invited them into their hearts and homes, allowed them to camp in their fields and farms, and acted as personal tour guides. Kristen and Ville are love on wheels, and who doesn’t need a little more love in their lives?

You can find their book on their website here: www.welostthemap.com

Follow them on social media here: @welostthemap

Enjoy the conversation. Be bold. Be intrepid.

To support the podcast please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

To find out more about host George Balarezo’s adventures, you can find the book Unhinged in Ethiopia: Two Thousand Kilometers of Hell and Heaven on a Bicycle at the following link- https://intrepidglobalcitizen.com/

Contact me at george@intrepidglobalcitizen.com and let me know your thoughts and feelings about the podcast or if you have a story you’d like to share. 

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Cycling the Karakorum Highway in Pakistan

In this thrilling episode, we embark on a two-wheeled expedition through one of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes – the Karakoram Highway in Pakistan. Join us as we pedal our way through this mountainous wonderland, exploring the culture, the challenges, and the sheer beauty that make this journey a must for every adventurer.

Hosted by seasoned cyclist and travel enthusiast, George Balarezo, this episode takes you on a virtual journey through the heart of the Karakoram Range. 

Our adventure begins in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, where George sets the stage for the breathtaking ride ahead. From the bustling streets of Islamabad, he cycles northward, reaching the gateway to the Karakoram Highway in the town of Abbottabad. Along the way, he shares insights on the challenges faced by cyclists, including the extreme altitude, rapidly changing weather conditions, and the sheer physical demands of cycling at high elevations.

As he pedals deeper into the Karakoram Range, the landscape transforms from lush valleys to rugged mountains, with the mighty Indus River flowing alongside. George discusses the unique culture and hospitality of the local people, providing a glimpse into the warm and welcoming communities that dot the route.

Throughout the episode, George provides practical tips for anyone considering this epic cycling journey. 

For armchair travelers and adventurous souls alike, this episode is a captivating exploration of one of the most challenging and awe-inspiring cycling routes on the planet. Join us as we embark on a virtual adventure along the Karakoram Highway, and discover why it is a true cyclist’s dream and a testament to the beauty of Pakistan’s northern frontier.


Enjoy the conversation. Be bold. Be intrepid.

To support the podcast please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

To find out more about host George Balarezo’s adventures, you can find the book Unhinged in Ethiopia: Two Thousand Kilometers of Hell and Heaven on a Bicycle at the following link- https://intrepidglobalcitizen.com/

Contact me at george@intrepidglobalcitizen.com and let me know your thoughts and feelings about the podcast or if you have a story you’d like to share. 

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Balancing Family Life and Adventure With 10Adventures CEO Richard Campbell

Richard is the founder and CEO of 10Adventures, where he helps people create the experiences that end up as the photos on their walls, the stories that are told at family reunions, and the memories that last a lifetime.  Richard has spent his 20-year career in high-growth start-ups and scale-ups, having worked across three continents, and worked in English, French, and Spanish.  Richard is an alumnus from Harvard Business School and London Business School, where he was a Sloan Fellow.  He lives in Calgary and spends his weekends exploring the Rocky Mountains with his wife and 3 children.

Enjoy the conversation. Be bold. Be intrepid.

To support the podcast please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

To find out more about host George Balarezo’s adventures, you can find the book Unhinged in Ethiopia: Two Thousand Kilometers of Hell and Heaven on a Bicycle at the following link- https://intrepidglobalcitizen.com/

Contact me at george@intrepidglobalcitizen.com and let me know your thoughts and feelings about the podcast or if you have a story you’d like to share. 

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10Adventures Podcast: Unhinged in Ethiopia: Two Thousand Kilometers of Hell and Heaven on a Bicycle

This is an interview I did for the 10 Adventures Podcast. The host Richard Campbell read my book, Unhinged in Ethiopia: Two Thousand Kilometers of Hell and Heaven on a Bicycle in preparation for the episode and we took a deep dive into the journey.

In this episode I detail some of the hardships faced while on the road in Ethiopia and give advice to novice adventurers looking to step outside of their comfort zones.

Enjoy the conversation. Be bold. Be intrepid.

To support the podcast please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

To find out more about host George Balarezo’s adventures, you can find the book Unhinged in Ethiopia: Two Thousand Kilometers of Hell and Heaven on a Bicycle at the following link- https://intrepidglobalcitizen.com/

Contact me at george@intrepidglobalcitizen.com and let me know your thoughts and feelings about the podcast or if you have a story you’d like to share. 

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Argentina to Alaska by Bicycle with “North to Alaska” Author Trevor Lund

In 1999, Trevor Lund set out to fulfil a 10-year dream of cycling the length of the Americas, from southern Argentina to north Alaska. With little planning and no mobile phone and soon finding himself all alone after his companion quit, his journey was far from ordinary.  He enjoyed and endured so much that he felt compelled to write a book on his return home but self-doubt meant the book would take 19 years to complete.

Trevor still cycles and has completed many enjoyable – and not so enjoyable – cycle journeys since.  He is also attempting to write a second book!

You can find his book North to Alaska: The True Story of an Epic 16,000-mile Cycle Journey the Length of the Americas at the following link:  https://www.amazon.com/North-Alaska-000-mile-journey-Americas-ebook/dp/B0833GX9Z9/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1669725751&sr=8-1

Enjoy the conversation. Be bold. Be intrepid.

To support the podcast please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

Find the book Unhinged in Ethiopia: Two Thousand Kilometers of Hell and Heaven on a Bicycle at the following link- https://intrepidglobalcitizen.com/

Contact me at george@intrepidglobalcitizen.com and let me know your thoughts and feelings about the podcast or if you have a story you’d like to share. 

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Solidarity Rising- Benjamin and Sanna Cycle the World For Western Sahara

Sanna and Benjamin are two Swedish human rights defenders who are currently cycling 48,000 kilometers through 40 countries for two years to raise awareness about Western Sahara, Africa´s last colony. While biking up and down the equivalent of 27 Mount Everests, through the busy streets of Tokyo and Beijing, cold Georgian mountains, and the scorching Sahara in Northern Africa, they meet up with local human rights defenders to create long lasting collaborations between oppressed groups. 

 

To find out more about their mission see the links below-

Educate Yourself on Western Sahara

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A True Adventurer Dies Outside

A True Adventurer Dies Outside

Date- May 29, 2020

Written by George Balarezo, Intrepid Global Citizen

Undulating serpents slithered behind glass cages, opening their frightening mouths trying to bite my finger pressed against the glass, crawling up with an ignorant determination that made me chuckle under my breath. Poisonous snakes, spiders, and other mysterious reptiles all made their home under the same roof in downtown Nairobi in its snake park. 

Apart from all the slithery creatures looking for a way out and a new victim to shoot their venom at, the most fascinating part was my encounter with James, a clear-skinned kid in his early twenties with an enthusiasm for his country and its wildlife. His laugh thundered through Nairobi’s snake park hallways when I told him I would be pedaling up to Lake Turkana, more than 2,000 kilometers north. His voice morphed into a high pitched squeal and he slapped himself on the knee hard enough to leave a red indentation upon listening to my plan. James’ upbeat demeanor and pure innocence led me to believe he either spent a lot of time outdoors and was from a rural village. He had that energy to him that only people who spend most of their time outdoors can transmit to others. That carefree spirit of curiosity, enthusiasm, and vigor for adventure. Lean, softball-sized shoulders outlined the sleeves of his blue T-shirt and his thick, veiny neck looked solid as a brick. He reminded me of myself as a college student. Aggressively enthusiastic and ready to slam dunk the world while tearing down the backboard of doubters that stood in my way.

 

After some small talk about our backgrounds and future plans, l learned that my hunch was correct. My new friend grew up in a rural village in the western part of Kenya and came to Nairobi to study and make some money at the snake center.  

“Tell me James. What kind of animals do you have in your village?”

“Oh. All kinds. So many animals. We have leopards, hippopotamuses, lions, crocodiles, buffaloes.”

“Yeah? Please enlighten me James. I am a guy who comes here from the other side of the world who only has deer, squirrels and an occasional coyote to worry about. What do you recommend I do when I ride through a rural area and run into a leopard?”

“Oh leopards are good to have around. Don’t be scared of leopards. If you don’t bother them, they won’t bother you. Here is the thing, when you are walking along the road and you see a leopard, most of the time they just go back into the bush. Sometimes they return near you after another fifty meters. They do this repeatedly every fifty to one hundred meters, going back into the bush and reappearing again. After about five hundred meters, the leopard starts to think of you as its friend. It will protect you. One of my friends was walking with a leopard for several kilometers and some people tried to mug him. The leopard popped out of the bush and mauled the robber. So you see, leopards can be your good friend.”

“Wow. Incredible! I hope I can make friends with a leopard while I am here in Kenya. Okay, so I am sure you don’t go swimming in the lakes and ponds right? Those crocodiles and hippopotamuses must keep swimmers away.”

“Oh my friend! Haha! Of course I go swimming. Swimming is the best way to cool off on a hot day.”

“You aren’t scared of the hippos and crocs? You could die while swimming James.”

“No! No! Not at all! A true man dies outside. It is much better to die at the hands of an animal than in your bed when you are old and tired. I don’t think about danger when I swim.”

This might be the quote of the year for me. I wanted to tattoo those words on my skin and have James sign his name as blood drips from my shoulder. Nothing in life can be achieved without risk. No wonder this guy seemed so alive. When confronted with your own death every day, how can you not master the art of living? You learn to appreciate the cool, silky waters if every swim could become your last. The fearful among us drown. The confident and steady slowly push themselves back to shore. They keep their cool and figure out which way the current flows, pace themselves as they replenish their lungs with oxygen amid torrential downpours. You learn to laugh and take life less seriously when confronted with your own mortality. It could all be over, at the hands of a famished wild animal, or at the unexpected stoppage of a heartbeat while walking down the street. 

As James talked about death, his grin and positive demeanor never left his face. One day when he meets that fateful moment, it seemed as if he would still have that ear to ear smile on his face, proud of the fact that he lived out his destiny. My friend is in his early twenties, the age when we all think we are bulletproof, yet was ready to die while enjoying the simple pleasures of life and living for what he believes in. To have that much clarity at such a young age is rare. To stare at the waters of death and leap in knowing it might all end, what a liberating feeling it must be.

I could relate to James. Those who have never jumped on a bicycle in a faraway land seem to never stop lecturing me about how lucky I am to walk away from my adventures unscathed. The world of tour cycling is alien to most and no matter how colorful a picture I attempt to paint with my words, only those who have tasted it can understand its true flavor. The flavor that changes from sweet to spicy in a matter of hours, right when you think you have a box of cookies, it throws fiery hot jalapenos at you. You grab jalapenos to add some flavor to your bowl of brown rice, grab your spoon and chew, and then those mushy first few bites become rock hard, creating permanent gaps in your teeth. Before you know it, you have a palm-full of chipped molars. All flavors, no matter how pungent, vile, fruity, or tart, do not kill you. For a while, you don’t expect the flavors to change so abruptly, but after a few bites, you learn to enjoy the unexpected. You learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable. You learn to feel safe amid danger. You learn to find compassion amid hostility, to find beauty when the earth flings filth in your direction and spits in your face. It all becomes routine. The average person who has never tasted it will never understand. It is foolish to expect them to. 

But the beauty is that when you live dangerously, you live today to its fullest extent. You squeeze the juice of every moment dry, knowing that this moment could be your last. You love and your love is sincere and pure. You live and your life is a fire. A single minute of intense love and living is more profound than an eternity of dead ideals and bondage.

But what is security? Is there anything secure in life? Does security exist, or is it an idea people have created for themselves? 

James’ world is all about walking alongside leopards and wading through liquid where crocodiles and hippos rest and feed. My world is one where I am on a bike in faraway places that the news media likes to paint blood red. Sensationalism may sell newspapers, but true men toss the paper aside and go outside and play with death every day. Mediocre men read newspapers and hesitate. Superior men do the unreasonable thing and attempt to change the status quo. As George Bernard Shaw once said, “The reasonable man adapts himself to the world, the unreasonable man adapts the world to himself, therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.” Go outside and play, even if there are leopards, crocodiles, and hippos out there. 

It was only my first full day in Kenya, but James had my heart jumping in anticipation. James swims with crocs and hippos. I was about to cycle with lions and leopards. Play on and remember a true adventurer dies outside.