August 28, 2024
Cycling through Africa - how does one come up with such an idea?
In the movie Slumdog Millionaire, there’s a scene where Jamal knows all the answers on the "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" show, thanks to his life experiences. Everything fits together seamlessly, prompting the question: Coincidence or destiny?
Reflecting on my dream of cycling through Africa, it feels as if a series of experiences have naturally led me to this idea, one after another.
During high school, I cycled my daily commute for four years - about 18 km a day. For me, the bike was merely a means of transport, not yet a source of enjoyment. Later, at high school, I had the opportunity to bike from Aargau to the Mediterranean during a project week. This experience profoundly impacted me; it was the first time I discovered the joy of cycling. In my opinion, cycling has just the right speed, allowing for engagement with the surroundings while fully processing impressions - not too fast and not too slow, making it possible to cover longer distances comfortably. An initial piece of the puzzle had been added.
After high school, I took a year off to complete my military service. Following my service, I had the chance to join a private agricultural development project in Tanzania, primarily planting teak trees. While my contributions may not have significantly impacted the development of this beautiful country, I fell in love with the African continent. This eventually led me to travel through Southern Africa for two months about seven years later. A second piece of the puzzle was added.
Finally, a third piece emerged. I attended the Explora lecture "The Great Journey" by Susi Bemsel and Daniel Snaider, who traveled the world by bike and tuk-tuk. Their presentation deeply impressed me and demonstrated that cycling journeys can cover vast distances. It showed that you can think big, even when traveling by bike.
It took time for these three experiences to become a cohesive vision. However, the plan for this travel project became increasingly clear.
Coincidence or destiny? I don’t know.
