Kellen Smetana
I write this exactly three months after rolling up to the sandy Atlantic coast and realize it’s hardly time enough to reflect on the entirety of the cycling journey. Still, not an hour goes by that I don’t think of the experience and get lost for a moment in some fleeting memory of the endeavor. As I adjust to life back home (those of you who’ve seen me know my hair is taking slightly longer to adjust…), I have fielded innumerable questions about different aspects of the trip and have challenged myself to think deeply about the long-term impact of the experience. In these three months, fun categorizations and tangible assessments have gradually led to more pensive, profound thoughts as I try to grasp the life-changing nature of the endeavor and what this experience has meant for me.
I write this exactly three months after rolling up to the sandy Atlantic coast and realize it’s hardly time enough to reflect on the entirety of the cycling journey. Still, not an hour goes by that I don’t think of the experience and get lost for a moment in some fleeting memory of the endeavor. As I adjust to life back home (those of you who’ve seen me know my hair is taking slightly longer to adjust…), I have fielded innumerable questions about different aspects of the trip and have challenged myself to think deeply about the long-term impact of the experience. In these three months, fun categorizations and tangible assessments have gradually led to more pensive, profound thoughts as I try to grasp the life-changing nature of the endeavor and what this experience has meant for me.
It's easy to get lost here...
Such reflection starts with the inevitable, fun superlatives of favorite country, best meal, hardest day, funniest foreign word, and so on – and if you’ve seen the thoroughness of the Stats page, you may rightly guess that I already have an answer for each of these. As promised in the last post, I will at least share one: favorite country.
(Drumroll please…)
China!
Yes, the place with pollution that made my nose run for days, drivers who ran us off the road without batting an eye, and a police state that seemed to frustrate us at every turn beat out heavenly Kyrgyzstan, eccentric Turkey, idyllic Croatia, and all the others. How? From bustling Hong Kong harbor to the Li River karsts, the densely populated Sichuan Basin to sky-scraping, snow-capped Tibetan mountains, and the Gobi Desert on through ethnically divided Urumqi – it was an adventure. With the exception of the US, no other nation comes close to approaching the same level of landscape diversity. So much of this great culture was previously unknown to me and I relished the adventure of exploring its food, language, and traditions. China is clearly a nation in flux, trying to harness and channel the power of its immense population and resources – the opportunity to observe even a sliver of this transformation was an incredible learning experience.
(Drumroll please…)
China!
Yes, the place with pollution that made my nose run for days, drivers who ran us off the road without batting an eye, and a police state that seemed to frustrate us at every turn beat out heavenly Kyrgyzstan, eccentric Turkey, idyllic Croatia, and all the others. How? From bustling Hong Kong harbor to the Li River karsts, the densely populated Sichuan Basin to sky-scraping, snow-capped Tibetan mountains, and the Gobi Desert on through ethnically divided Urumqi – it was an adventure. With the exception of the US, no other nation comes close to approaching the same level of landscape diversity. So much of this great culture was previously unknown to me and I relished the adventure of exploring its food, language, and traditions. China is clearly a nation in flux, trying to harness and channel the power of its immense population and resources – the opportunity to observe even a sliver of this transformation was an incredible learning experience.
Pure adventure
As my thoughts float beyond the superlatives, I find myself assessing our progress against the two original goals of the endeavor. After all that, did we really have tangible impact with World Bicycle Relief and did we have a little fun in the process? The answer is a resounding Yes.
Together with everyone out there who donated and helped spread the message of World Bicycle Relief, we have had a hugely positive effect on the organization. Thanks to you, nearly 70 families so far have gained transportation that will change their lives for years. The bicycles that you helped provide open access to healthcare, school, markets, and even water in ways that greatly expand the economic possibilities for these families. Through our Revolutions for Relief trip, we showed just one great thing that can be done with our simple two-wheeled machines; just imagine the many great things these families will do with theirs. In working closely with World Bicycle Relief I saw how thankful each child was for the bicycle he or she received, and I wanted to pass on this powerful message to everyone out there. Thanks to all who donated and helped spread WBR’s message. We will continue to work with this great organization in the future, and I hope you do as well.
Together with everyone out there who donated and helped spread the message of World Bicycle Relief, we have had a hugely positive effect on the organization. Thanks to you, nearly 70 families so far have gained transportation that will change their lives for years. The bicycles that you helped provide open access to healthcare, school, markets, and even water in ways that greatly expand the economic possibilities for these families. Through our Revolutions for Relief trip, we showed just one great thing that can be done with our simple two-wheeled machines; just imagine the many great things these families will do with theirs. In working closely with World Bicycle Relief I saw how thankful each child was for the bicycle he or she received, and I wanted to pass on this powerful message to everyone out there. Thanks to all who donated and helped spread WBR’s message. We will continue to work with this great organization in the future, and I hope you do as well.
Thank you!
As for the fun? Well, I will simply direct you to the last 53 journal entries…
Tough to remember if it was any fun...
More recently, as my thoughts move beyond lists and goals into the slightly more philosophic realm, I like to ask myself the question, was it life-changing? Seven months is a long time – but it also isn’t. Assuming all goes to plan, it works out to roughly 0.5% of my life (the mathematically inclined may enjoy calculating my predicted life-span…). How am I different having gone through with this endeavor? What have I gained beyond sculpted leg muscles, an insatiable appetite, and the ability to fix flat tires in my sleep? In spite of my belittlement of the experience to a mere percentage – or rather half-percentage, I have decided that I am truly different, and the bicycle journey has given me three important things I will carry with me the rest of my life.
1. Perspective
Like a sharp lens, the experience enhanced my perspective in several important ways. The first thing it taught me was to “think big.” As I jump around the website, it’s amazing to wonder at the butterfly effect of a couple “what if” conversations with friends two years ago that spawned such a huge project. I want to thank all those who encouraged us and were supportive along the way – especially my parents, who’ve put up with crazy ideas like this for 26 years. Even after we started cycling there were times when I feared that the size and risks may be too great for us to complete the endeavor, but we focused on our small goals and bit by bit we turned kilometers into continents. It’s funny to see that I have already started motivating myself to tackle new challenges in business and life with the reasoning, “Well, I did ride my bike across continents; so, this should be easy…” It’s a humorous perspective to take, but it’s been working so far and I suspect it will long into the future.
1. Perspective
Like a sharp lens, the experience enhanced my perspective in several important ways. The first thing it taught me was to “think big.” As I jump around the website, it’s amazing to wonder at the butterfly effect of a couple “what if” conversations with friends two years ago that spawned such a huge project. I want to thank all those who encouraged us and were supportive along the way – especially my parents, who’ve put up with crazy ideas like this for 26 years. Even after we started cycling there were times when I feared that the size and risks may be too great for us to complete the endeavor, but we focused on our small goals and bit by bit we turned kilometers into continents. It’s funny to see that I have already started motivating myself to tackle new challenges in business and life with the reasoning, “Well, I did ride my bike across continents; so, this should be easy…” It’s a humorous perspective to take, but it’s been working so far and I suspect it will long into the future.
Ain't no mountain high enough
For seven months I lived out of the small bags attached to my bike. The thought of carrying even one more ounce over mountain passes taught me very quickly what I did and did not need. As strange as it may sound, I felt really cool moving from place to place with little more than the (dirty) shirt on my back. It was a chance to let blossom my basic hunter/gatherer instincts and gain perspective on how to be efficient with the little I had.
You learn which parts of the map you need
More literally, the journey has given me first-hand perspective in so many aspects of the other cultures we encountered. Throughout my life I have read articles and seen countless news pieces about things like military crack-downs in China, tensions in Azeri-Armenian relations, and the late social schedule of the Iberian Peninsula, but the experiences of getting blocked at Chinese military checkpoints, speaking with an Azeri veteran with two Armenian bullets lodged in his stomach, and sitting down to a 2am dinner with our Spanish hosts has shed whole new light on these and so many other things. I count myself very, very fortunate to have the opportunity for these experiences and hope that I can spread any cultural perspective gained to the benefit of others.
Sandbags add a new level to the understanding of a police state
2. Adoration of Humanity
This adoration starts with some of my best friends and ends with some of my most passing acquaintances. My five Revolutions for Relief teammates have affected my character in ways they can only imagine.
Ben, you taught me everything I know about bicycle touring and are wise well beyond your years. The moment I read your email agreeing to meet me in Hong Kong is the moment I committed myself to the trip. Thanks for putting up with my learning curve and for getting me started on this wonderful adventure.
Theo, more than anyone else on the team you challenged me to think deeply. I loved our discussions on everything from metaphysics to Lady Gaga. You had me laughing from your Russian jokes in Bishkek to our final photos in Signaghi, and I fully credit your Cambridge rowing days to our blitzkrieg pace across the desert (that record will stand for a while). Thank you for waiting in Tashkent, I am lucky to have crossed paths with such a man.
Cory, being my little brother you probably had to put up with the worst of me. Your determined handling of the absolute beatdown we immediately put you through crossing the desert was inspirational. Thanks for getting me through my sickest days and for showing me how to handle the worst of what was thrown at us. Next time we bring Sweet B along.
Megan, your charm led us to meet some of the funniest characters of the trip. I’m ashamed to say that the sexist in me questioned whether you could handle the grueling physical nature of daily cycling, and I’m happy to report that you taught me an important lesson the moment you flew over the first hill. Thanks for always laughing and for reintroducing me to long-lost 80s pop songs.
Bill, I couldn’t think of a better person to cross Europe with. Trying to exhaust your library of trivia and extensive culinary knowledge made two months seem like two days. Much like the supply of Clif Bars and Five-Hour Energy’s you brought, your humor took an old, tired cyclist and made me feel like a kid riding his bike again. Thanks for getting us to the Atlantic.
This adoration starts with some of my best friends and ends with some of my most passing acquaintances. My five Revolutions for Relief teammates have affected my character in ways they can only imagine.
Ben, you taught me everything I know about bicycle touring and are wise well beyond your years. The moment I read your email agreeing to meet me in Hong Kong is the moment I committed myself to the trip. Thanks for putting up with my learning curve and for getting me started on this wonderful adventure.
Theo, more than anyone else on the team you challenged me to think deeply. I loved our discussions on everything from metaphysics to Lady Gaga. You had me laughing from your Russian jokes in Bishkek to our final photos in Signaghi, and I fully credit your Cambridge rowing days to our blitzkrieg pace across the desert (that record will stand for a while). Thank you for waiting in Tashkent, I am lucky to have crossed paths with such a man.
Cory, being my little brother you probably had to put up with the worst of me. Your determined handling of the absolute beatdown we immediately put you through crossing the desert was inspirational. Thanks for getting me through my sickest days and for showing me how to handle the worst of what was thrown at us. Next time we bring Sweet B along.
Megan, your charm led us to meet some of the funniest characters of the trip. I’m ashamed to say that the sexist in me questioned whether you could handle the grueling physical nature of daily cycling, and I’m happy to report that you taught me an important lesson the moment you flew over the first hill. Thanks for always laughing and for reintroducing me to long-lost 80s pop songs.
Bill, I couldn’t think of a better person to cross Europe with. Trying to exhaust your library of trivia and extensive culinary knowledge made two months seem like two days. Much like the supply of Clif Bars and Five-Hour Energy’s you brought, your humor took an old, tired cyclist and made me feel like a kid riding his bike again. Thanks for getting us to the Atlantic.
The Brady Bunch
Even more than these amazing individuals, however, it was the seemingly insignificant encounters that gave me the greatest adoration for humanity. Bill did a fantastic job in his last post highlighting the kindness of people throughout the journey, and I must echo his sentiment. I am moved by the incredible humility people taught me day in and day out. Banished from local hotels by the Chinese police, we found refuge with a kind farmer who turned on the electricity of his home just so he could make us tea. In Central Asia, a region previously known to me only as the birthplace of James Bond villains, we went an entire month without using our tents as we were invited to stay in homes, restaurants, storefronts, and everything in between. Even in the biggest cities of Western Europe, we met people who housed and fed us and made the extra effort to show us a piece of their culture. More than any image of natural beauty from Hong Kong to Lisbon, the memory of the smile on the face of the melon vendor, fellow traveler, or tired farmer after helping us out makes my heart beat a little bit faster.
Who needs a tent when you can stay with us?
3. Memories
Ok, Kellen, why state the obvious? Because it’s true. We could have chosen to help World Bicycle Relief in many different ways over the last seven months and our lives would have changed simply due to the increasing entropy of the universe. But I’m happy we chose to undertake this journey. Possibly more than any other period in my life I reflect on moments that make me smile, shudder, laugh, and cry. I hope it has been entertaining, educational, and even a bit inspirational; the team agrees that one of our favorite parts of the experience was using the website to share the ride with everyone back home. The site will remain up indefinitely to guard these memories and hopefully serve as an educational tool for anyone looking to start a similar project.
Ok, Kellen, why state the obvious? Because it’s true. We could have chosen to help World Bicycle Relief in many different ways over the last seven months and our lives would have changed simply due to the increasing entropy of the universe. But I’m happy we chose to undertake this journey. Possibly more than any other period in my life I reflect on moments that make me smile, shudder, laugh, and cry. I hope it has been entertaining, educational, and even a bit inspirational; the team agrees that one of our favorite parts of the experience was using the website to share the ride with everyone back home. The site will remain up indefinitely to guard these memories and hopefully serve as an educational tool for anyone looking to start a similar project.
Memories that took us to Oz and back
In that moment of the hour when I lose myself in the fleeting memories of this journey, I often return to one in particular... Late afternoon in a wide green valley, I offer a wave to the host of giggling kids chasing us down the road and then another to their parents who look up from the neighboring field with an equally energetic smile. It reminds me of the beauty of this planet, the kindness of the people in it, and the goodwill we can spread through simple actions. Thanks for following along, these seven months have been one wild ride. We’ll let you know when we plan our next grand adventure.
Until next time...
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