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Student to cylce 10 000km home
Thursday, 1 July 2010
Having completed a Masters in Energy Science and Technology at the prestigious Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, young South African Joschka Thilo will return to Cape Town, but not by an ordinary long distance transport vehicle. Over six months Josch will cycle the 10 000km distance home, a journey which he hopes will raise funds for education and awareness of the environment. We chatted to him to find out more.
You are certainly not a passenger! What made you decide to embark on this amazing adventure?
I always knew I wanted to go travelling a little after finishing my studies. However, I was also becoming increasingly aware of the severe impact of fossil fuel based transportation and tourism in general on our environment. About a year ago, a fellow student suggested a trip like this to me and I have been hooked on the idea ever since.
Explain a bit about how the trip will work logistically. How far will you cycle each day and how often will you rest?
I hope to average about 50km per day. On some days it will be necessary to cycle well over 100km to make up for rest days and delays due to visas etc. In places like the Sahara I will also sometimes have to cycle more than 100km in a day to get from one water point to another. At the end of each day I will look for a suitable place to pitch my tent or simply sleep under the stars if conditions permit it.
You surely need to be super fit to undertake such long physical journey – do you feel up to the challenge?
Obviously a trip like this is a big physical challenge that one has to prepare for. I have always done a lot of sport in my free time so I think I am up for it. However, it is up to the individual to decide how far and fast one wants to go each day. That’s the advantage of not being a passenger. I think being mentally and emotionally prepared and knowing ones own body is far more important than being physically super fit. I will take it slowly in the first few weeks of my trip and by the time I get to Cape Town I should be fairly fit.
What goes into planning something like this? What items will you be taking with you on the journey?
The beauty of this kind of trip is that, in essence, it is very simple. You pack a bag, get on your bicycle and start cycling. Everything happens slowly so there is a lot of time to organise, discover and adapt things along the way. Still, a little planning can make life on the road a lot easier. It’s a good idea to organise medical, financial, insurance and equipment matters beforehand. Because I don’t have a support vehicle I can’t take an awful lot with me. My equipment includes the normal camping equipment such as a tent, water filter, a multi-fuel stove, medication and first aid kit.
What do you hope to achieve through this project?
I’m using this project to raise funds for a non-profit organisation called Ikamva Lisezandleni Zethu (‘The future is in our hands’). They are doing excellent work to help the youth of our country to make the step into university or permanent employment after Matric. These kinds of initiatives are essential if our country is to truly emerge from the legacy of our past as a united rainbow nation. Every South African has to contribute. We can’t afford to be passengers and rely on others. I am also collaborating with a development organisation called “Engineers Without Borders” to facilitate future development projects in Africa. Last but not least, I hope to broaden my own horizons and experience, learn and see things that one is not exposed to in every day life.
What’s next after the big trip? Do you plan to stay in South Africa and put your knowledge of Energy Science and Technology to use here?
Although I don’t have any concrete plans yet, I am definitely planning to stay in South Africa once I return. I have been away from home for two years now and can’t wait to be back! Hopefully I will be able to put my education to good use and help build our country.
Joschka has already started documenting his preparation for the trip on his blog www.nomadson2wheels.org. He will be updating the blog during the course of the journey and we will definitely be keeping tabs.
Having completed a Masters in Energy Science and Technology at the prestigious Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, young South African Joscka Thilo will return to Cape Town, but not by an ordinary long distance transport vehicle. Over six months Josch will cycle the 10 000km distance home, a journey which he hopes will raise funds for education and awareness of the environment. We chatted to him to find out more.
You are certainly not a passenger! What made you decide to embark on this amazing adventure?
I always knew I wanted to go travelling a little after finishing my studies. However, I was also becoming increasingly aware of the severe impact fossil fuel based transportation and tourism in general has on our environment. About a year ago, a fellow student suggested a trip like this to me and I have been hooked on the idea ever since.
Explain a bit about how the trip will work logistically. How far will you cycle each day and how often will you rest?
I hope to average about 50km per day. On some days it will be necessary to cycle well over 100km to make up for rest days and delays due to visas etc. In places like the Sahara I will also sometimes have to cycle more than 100km in a day to get from one water point to another. At the end of each day I will look for a suitable place to pitch my tent or simply sleep under the stars if conditions permit it.
You surely need to be super fit to undertake such long physical journey – do you feel up to the challenge?
Obviously a trip like this is a big physical challenge that one has to prepare for. I have always done a lot of sport in my free time so I think I am up for it. However, it is up to the individual to decide how far and fast one wants to go each day. That’s the advantage of not being a passenger. I think being mentally and emotionally prepared and knowing ones own body is far more important than being physically super fit. I will take it slowly in the first few weeks of my trip and by the time I get to Cape Town I should be fairly fit.
What’s next after the big trip? Do you plan to stay in South Africa and put your knowledge of Energy Science and Technology to use here?
Although I don’t have any concrete plans yet, I am definitely planning to stay in South Africa once I return. I have been away from home for two years now and can’t wait to be back! Hopefully I will be able to put my education to good use and help build our country.
These are just some of the questions we asked Joscka – you can check out the detailed full interview on the dontbeapassenger blog. You can also follow Joschka’s progress as he prepares for the journey on his website, www.nomadson2wheels.org.
Posted in: Blog, Highlight of the Week
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