About the Driver Markus Wagner:

My Way to Know the World: Many people have asked me this question. Why would anyone want to spend this much time on a bike instead of visiting the places through conventional means, i.e. plane, bus, car or train? There are actually several reasons:

1. Cycling Without Borders
The theme of the ride serves multiple purposes. The world is full of barriers – physical ones such as the Alps or the Pamir Mountains. Bureaucratic challenges, which will require me to apply for a number of visas on the way. Cultural barriers and psychological limitations, which others or we may have imposed on ourselves. Biking has shown me that boundaries can be pushed further. Thus, the title is also an expression of a deeply held personal belief.

2. Affinity to Biking
I've been doing road and mountain biking for a long time and later took up touring biking. These trips have led me to various locations (including Iceland, New Zealand, the US, Canada and through some European countries). I also find that biking is one of the best ways to actually get to know a place.

3. Freedom
We are caught in a type of cage – in our jobs or in everyday life. On a bike, you are your own master, deciding each day which direction your wheels are pointing!

4. Riding for Charity:

                                                                                          15,000 km = 15,000 EURO

Cycling Without Borders is connected to charity, to raise a total of EURO 15,000 for two specific organizations: German Agro Action (Deutsche Welthungerhilfe) and Youth for Understanding (YFU), an exchange organization for high school students. This means for every kilometre I will be riding my goal is to collect 1 EURO.

All of my trips have always been extremely enriching experiences and I would not want to miss a single one of them. This trip promises more of the same – and beyond. It is longer and provides more challenges – physical, psychological, cultural and bureaucratic ones. Cycling without borders.