Philosophy

Why would anyone want to cycle around the world?

That’s a great question and one that i would like to have a simple answer to.  The truth is that I’m still living “the why”. Sometimes there are no short or simple answers. And i often lack the ability to articulate what the why is. However for those that don’t like answers such as “…there is no why” here’s an attempt in a few dots points:

• The CSX is a journey about ’self discovery’, finding my ‘place’ in the world and exploring what I’m capable of.
• Cycling is a beautiful way to travel that brings travellers closer to the people, cultures and landscapes. When self sufficient it offers complete freedom to venture “the road less travelled’.
• By being out there, exposed to the elements, interacting with locals on a daily basis you become more mindful of places and cultures.
• It’s also the most environmentally responsible and efficient way to travel, period.
• It’s also cheap. With a tent you can survive in most places for about $200 a month.
• It’s a great way to get fit, stay healthy and you can eat as much food as you like.
• I needed to experience life in a way that simply can’t be lived through the media, working the rest of my productive life or that can be taught at university. The world is a big place, full of potential that i want to tap.
• I like to learn and continually challenge my beliefs and perceptions. I want to feel these experiences, grow and understand.

• I want to utilise the asset of my youth and fulfil this sense of adventure before old age prevents me. This is the best way I can think of to achieve that aim.

Having been on the road for nearly a year now I am beginning to understand the motivation behind the expedition. As the journey continues to evolve and grow so does my understanding of it. I believe I’m searching for the feeling (the experience) of what it is to truely be alive. I realise that many people don’t have to travel the world on a bicycle to achieve that, but what i realised is that I also need to develop enough awareness, experience and consciousness to be able to live that experience.

It is about finding my bliss, living my bliss.

What do I hope to achieve?

Apart from doing this for my own reasons, I would like to challenge others. We know that so many things in this world need to change but yet seem impotent to do anything about it. I’d like to hope that things can change. The CSX is vehicle to challenge and inspire others to change their habits and move towards a truly sustainable future.

See more in the Environment Section.

The Cycle Strongman Expedition is about inspiring people to change.

The main goals of the Cycle Strongman Expedition are to:

• inspire others to think about the impact of their lives on the fragile environment and ecosystems that support us;
• encourage others to accept responsibility for their impact on the environment and advocate change;
• promote cycling and encourage positive media coverage and attitudes towards cycling as a healthy and sustainable form of transport;
• raise awareness of the landscapes, cultures and ecosystems worth saving;
• promote co-operation between cultures by highlighting the similarities rather than the differences. Everyone is capable of kindness, everyone laughs and we all share the same needs of food, shelter and respect for one another. All too often we hear about our differences rather than what brings humanity together; and
• document the journey through the CSX website and share these experiences.

Change has to start with each and every one of us. Each of us, as individuals, needs to take responsibility for our actions. We need to accept that this change is necessary and start thinking about how we can all minimise our environmental footprint. Albert Einstien is quoted as saying “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.”

The only certainty is that there is no certainty but rest assured things will change. Whether we survive depends on each of us.