What may make a person quit office work and go on a long cycling trip? How to cope with technical difficulties, when there is no nearby settlements and necessary tools? What do people usually take with them going on a trip, if they have to cover hundreds kilometers? These and other issues were discussed by Thomas Calcagno (France) and Rafal Ramotowski (Poland), members of the "bike" team of the Treshombres Bikes Wolfborn Tour on July 25.
Photo by the press service of the Society
Thomas and Rafal met in Munich 5 years ago. Rafal had worked in the field of architecture in Korea, and Thomas having left his office work went on a tour across Australia in 2016. About two years ago they started for a cycling tour across New Zealand, and this trip changed their views of life.
"That trip opened my eyes to the true nature of travel, how to meet and communicate with people in other countries. Then we realized that this adventure will grow into something more than just a short bike tour," said Thomas.
Photo by the press service of the Society
As part of the Treshombres Bikes Wolfborn Tour, the young men headed home to Munich from South-East Asia. They spent more than four months cycling and studied different countries: Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, China, Mongolia, and Russia. A two-day stop in the capital was planned in their route, as well as a lecture at the Russian Geographical Society.
At the meeting in Moscow, Rafal and Thomas spoke about their experience of this cycling travel. They covered the details of moving from country to country, communicating with local residents, camping, route-planning and budgeting.
Photo by the press service of the Society
There were, of course, exciting stories about various obstacles, because during the trip, the young men often had to face technical and other difficulties. The travelers told the audience how in Laos, far away from the settlements, Thomas's bike had a flat wheel, and in Vietnam Rafal had problems to get a visa to enter the country, and in Sri Lanka they were chased by a big elephant. But, according to Thomas and Rafal, even such cases could not have ruined their journey.
"It's funny when you get in trouble. At first you think it's going to be terrible, but then you try to solve the problem, and the solution comes on its own. Of course, not always everything is easy, but in the end you get an interesting experience, and at the same time a lot of exciting stories that you can then tell your friends," said Thomas.
Photo by the press service of the Society
The meeting closed with questions from the audience. The guests were interested in different aspects of the trip: how many things the guys took with them, how they charged their photo equipment and other devices, how often they contacted their family and friends, and much more.
After the meeting, the young men set off on the road again. The next stop is St. Petersburg. From there they will travel through Finland, the Baltic States, Eastern and Central Europe to the end point of their long journey – Munich. After returning home, Rafal plans to make bicycles. Thomas will go to Berlin, and then see what life will give him next. Both young men want to continue traveling, and they want to organize a group tour to show people everything they had seen during their trip from Asia to Germany. Perhaps soon they will have another, even more exciting journey.