Just one tyre puncture in 25,000 miles wasn’t Théo’s only success! Read the final interview with Cycle for Water. Vienna House Stories recently caught up with Théo Rohfritsch from Cycle for Water, the charity that Vienna House has been supporting since September 2015. He has been recovering from his 25,000km bamboo bicycle cycle trip from France to New Zealand. With just one tyre puncture and successfully raising over €10,000 for attention to global water and sustainability issues we’d deem his trip a big success!
How do you feel, having been on the move for the past 18 months?
It’s been a slow process adapting back to my regular life and staying in the same place. I’ve spent my time catching up with friends and family. Enjoying nice comforts, a comfortable bed and not having to worry where my next drink or meal will come from feels so unique! I’ve arrived in back into a controlled zone compared to the non-controlled zone I’ve been experiencing since I set off.
What was the first thing you did when you got home?
Saw my family, had a shower and flopped onto my bed! There wasn’t much else that I wanted to do!
After Asia how did the rest of the ride go?
In Australia the conditions were really hard, my surroundings hardy changed for miles in Northern Australia. It was really hot and tough, with long distances and difficult cycling! The terrain was the same for days and I experienced a lot of water issues there, often coming close to running out. Once I made it to New Zealand I really felt like I was coming home, even if I did experience some of the hardest hills of my journey!
Looking back on 18 months of being on the move, experiencing different cultures and countries, what was the biggest lesson that you learnt?
I continue to stand by my philosophy that we should have more faith in people! I’d like to thank the kindness and hospitality of the people that I met during my ride, as it made all the difference for my motivation and success.
With the new year’s start what are your travelling tips for Vienna House visitors?
Travel as much as you can as seeing and experiencing new things is a wonderful reward! Be accepting to all cultures on your travels; the more you travel the less naïve you will be. Openness and kindness can be found everywhere not just in your house, town, city or country. Everyone I came across on 25,000 miles of road wants to live and be happy no matter what their religion, race or political views are.
What are your hopes for the future of raising awareness for clean water?
Cycle for Water’s baton will be passed on for an African adventure with two riders that have just volunteered to cycle from Cairo to Cape Town!
Finally, do you have a tip on how to start the new year?
Don’t cycle! —- No I’m joking, just remember to be safe and appreciate people. And set yourself a goal so that you have an inner motivation!”
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