RideHimalaya London to the Himalayas by bicycle
We are raising money for Rainforest Rescue, an organisation that protects the world’s forests and helps combat climate change.
We’re also riding across the world as an example of how easy and fun it is to get on your bike and cover distance – whether that be to the shop, to work, to the next town, or to Tibet!
We’re travelling sustainably because the planet needs us to slow down. It’s just too easy today to plug in and consume.
On our bikes we have a few simple possessions, a few simple needs – and because we are inspired, we rely far less on external resources.
This simple daily ‘exercise’ makes us feel more in-tune with ourselves and the world around us. This non-polluting mode of transport helps us to reduce our carbon footprint. This life is more about the journey than the destination. Get on your bike!
RideHimalaya ROUTE
Europe: Our expedition commenced 1 June 2008 in London.
We cycled across the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria.
We spent Winter 2008 working and resting in Istanbul, Turkey.
Caucasus:
In Spring 2009, we are cycling through Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan.
Central Asia: Crossing the Caspian Sea from Baku in Azerbaijan, our route takes us through Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Himalaya: Our aim is to cycle across the Xinjiang Province of China onto the Tibetan Plateau in late summer 2009. This high altitude road sometimes reaches over 5000 metres above sea level. We hope to reach Lhasa, the capital of Tibet in the autumn of 2009.
**If we are unable to do this due to visa restrictions, we will instead reach the Himalayas by cycling from China into Pakistan via the Karakoram Highway.**
Estimated distance:
11,000 kilometres (approx. 8,000 miles)
Thanks to all the people who have donated to Rainforest Rescue. A big thanks also to everyone who helped us along the way – whether you gave us directions, a place to sleep, or fed us, your kindness and energy filled us with strength and inspiration.
RideHimalaya Profile
Krista Bernard
Cycling, the turn of the wheel, is my analogy for life. Within this ever-changing terrain without and within, I gather strength. And as I watch my mind, heart and breath throughout the uphill, the downhill, the rough and the smooth, I imagine myself a little closer towards that effortless freewheel.
My passion for long-distance cycling started in 1991, when I cycled down Australia’s East Coast, around Tasmania, and across the grand and harsh Nullarbor and Central Deserts.
My first international trip was a 15,000 kilometre solo cycle from Indonesia to Egypt (1996-2000).
You can find out more about my previous rides on the kristabike page – there’s a slideshow, a route map and more.
Daniel Coward
Even as a lover of sport and nature, I still swapped my bike for a car at the age of 17, forgetting how enjoyable and energising it is to ride.
Now that I’m cycling again, I’ve regained that childlike sense of adventure. I’m connecting with the world around me and sharing a part of people’s lives all over the world whom I ordinarily wouldn’t get to meet.
I’m enjoying seeing the environment and landscape change around me as we cycle across continents, I’m relishing living more closely with nature.
This is a time to share something magical and unique with Krista. For me, this journey represents freedom.
Follow our bike ride and help us raise money for Rainforest Rescue an organisation committed to saving our rainforests for current and future generations. 100% of your donation will go directly to rainforest projects.
