We last heard from Theo and Simon in Slovakia and since then they’ve made their way through Poland, Belarus, Russia and, 2500 km later, they’ve reached Atyrau in Kazakhstan! They are now over halfway to New Zealand with 10,000 km more to cycle.
So here’s a quick update and 5 facts about their 25,000 km ride that’s raising awareness for clean water around the world.
1) Raising awareness for clean water!
Theo and Simon reached Russia in October. As the adventurers carved their way through the Russian landscape they noted how beautiful the scenery was. They found the roads to be narrow and perfect for cycling, even with 60 kilos on their back!
2) Turn a setback into a comeback
Unfortunately the team were faced with a small setback when Theo suffered from tendinitis. However not being the types to give up easily they had a quick rest and hopped straight back on the bikes and headed towards Saint Petersburg.
3) Connect with like-minded people
Next the guys set up a video call with the 2016 Enactus World Cup team. It has always been an aim of Theo and Simon to bring like-minded people together to share their vision. They then enjoyed a productive discussion with academic and business leaders, who want to make a difference through entrepreneurial action.
4) Reaching Kazakhstan and learning about the problems there…
When Theo and Simon pulled into Kazakhstan they took time to learn about the challenges facing the counties water supply. As things stand, Kazakhstan does not have enough significant fresh water sources, meaning the water has to pass through neighbouring countries before reaching their 15 million inhabitants. It is estimated that half of the population does not have access to clean water.
5) Spreading the word
Next stop was The APEC Petrotechnic University in the Atyrau where they spoke to students who shared their passion for clean water. They learnt how the Aral Sea, once the fourth largest lake in the world, had nearly dried up. This was due to a failed Soviet project, which attempted to channel water into the desert, resulting in an ecological disaster. The water is slowly returning but experts fear the region may never recover. Both Theo and Simon felt that stories like this really outlined the importance of their mission.
The pair are now continuing their journey across Asia. We look forward to interviewing them in detail once they reach an area with good telephone signal!