Across Siberia
6000km through Siberia solo
From Ulan Bator, Mongolia to Moscow, Russia - across Siberia. A journey of three months, a journey of 6000 km. Nearly 1000km of walking and 5000km of cycling.
6000km through Siberia solo
Cycling is not for me –I'd much rather walk, discovering a small piece of the world one step at a time with a backpack. The world by foot is actually small - you never really get far. The experience is somewhat greater. Your senses are extra stimulated at a lower tempo. In my early military career, I walked thousands of kilometres - everything I needed was on my back. Orienteering, survival techniques, sleeping in the open air, it was all a piece of cake. Later, I had similar experiences in more relaxed ways - backpacking holidays, solo hiking in Scandinavia. Walk, walk, walk. With a pack on your back.
Cycling is not for me - at least that's what I thought back then. I was regularly overtaken by cyclists during my journeys. Cyclists on vacation, cyclists who had as much stuff as I had with them, but their stuff was divided over four or five small bags. Cyclists who enjoyed the same views, cyclists who, at the end of the day, did not have blisters to care for or sore shoulders. The bike had carried their burden, the bike which was often splendid. Beautiful shape, lightweight material, 'impossible to wear out' technology and tyres that cannot leak.
Cycling is perhaps something for me – I can at least give it a go. I got into condition by riding to work every day on my ATB. Later, I rode to Paris with my girlfriend on borrowed bikes. It was a fantastic experience. Pedaling, pedaling, pedaling. Saddle Pain? Never heard of it. Within a short period I went on a real journey - a journey of 3 months, a journey of 6000 km. Nearly 1000km of walking (farewell to the old?) and 5000km of cycling (welcome to the new?). From Ulan Bator, Mongolia to Moscow, Russia. Across Siberia. For a good cause, for KIKA. A journey, an expedition which I am going to make alone.
The rides to work on the bike had a different feel. They became trainings. Training that is disproportionate to the thousands of kilometers I will travel through inhospitable Siberia. My perseverance and experience in the outdoor survival arena will be tested to the utmost limit. I've got to make it. I want to mean something to people, to children who are worse affected than me. I want to raise a record amount of donations through my walking and cycling odyssey. I have taken this challenge upon myself.
6000 km within 3 months. Without a bike I cannot possibly do it. More than ever I am getting my kilometers up on the bike. More than ever I depend on the bike. Cycling is everything to me.
Sierd Nutma
www.6000km.nl
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