A two-year eco-bike tour from Saint-Brevin-les-Pins to Australia

“Journey is from one to oneself through others.” Julie Mahut and Ywan Pere make this Tuareg proverb magical.

This Tuesday, November 7, 2023, a 27-year-old woman from Saint-Brevin-les-Pins (Loire-Atlantique) and her 32-year-old friend from Herault got on their bikes to start a bike. A long journey of about two years would take them to Australia.

Long live slow travel!

In contrast to mass tourism, the couple is a couple, with little appetite for sporting challenge Slow travelor “Slow Travel” for readers with little taste for English.

Understand: Traveling differently, consuming less, while trying to be efficient and improve human exchanges Volunteering. project Cycle 2 contribution born

The project was born four years ago

In the minds of Julie and Yuan, the idea began to germinate in 2019. “At the time, the project was not yet clearly established, and Covid delayed the deadline,” says the former mussel and oyster farmer.

Initially enamored with the idea of ​​a hitchhiking trip, the couple finally returned.

We depend on drivers and are not immune to safety risks.

A train journey using the popular ones Trans-Siberian ? Forgotten by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Both athletes finally chose a bike that was more comfortable for the rear than a great two-wheeler. But don’t rule out the idea of ​​taking public transport here or there.

Course

Gradually, a route took shape: going to the south of France, crossing Italy from west to east to reach Slovenia, Croatia, Albania, then Greece and Turkey, where the couple intends to spend the next winter.

Then, Azerbaijan, then through the Caspian Sea to Kazakhstan, China, Nepal and then India towards the end of 2024. In 2025, South Asia – head east.

Julie and Ivan left one by one 65 kg of “luggage” Their saddlebags include water reserves.

Accommodation? A lot bivouacssome timeshostel through the network hot showerHostel community for cycle tourists.

Share recipes from around the world

So the trip will be interspersed with many volunteer experiences, especially through the platform workplace.

For the past two years, Yuvan had been working as a waiter in restaurants to save money. Passionate about world cuisine, she loves getting into the kitchen during her extensive travels.

The idea is to share food with the people we are going to meet, by exchanging recipes.

Why, upon returning to France, open your own establishment with dishes inspired by travel.

An environmental engineer, Julie has participated in many projects of note Reduces plastic pollution in the marine environment.

She wants to make the most of this road trip Promote a carbon-free lifestyle. “I hope to be able to draw inspiration from different encounters and experiences to share when I return.”

How to recover?

Visit, in fact, let’s talk about it. In their planning, both are considering a It should cross from Indonesia to Australia in the summer of 2025.

We did intensive sailing training with UCPA to work as multidisciplinary team members.

“But honestly, we still don’t know when or how we’ll be back,” smiles Yuan.

Follow all the news from your favorite cities and media by subscribing to Mon Actu.