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.
(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.
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.
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.
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.
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.