I don't remember much of my childhood…. Or so it seems. Take walking for instance; I have absolutely no recollection of my first steps! The same goes for my childhood teeth, or even for more traumatic events such as my first day at school! I have no recollection at all! Nothing, nothing, nothing!
But when it comes to bicycling, everything becomes very clear. As far back as I can remember, I've always been fascinated by bicycles. Maybe it was the speed at which I would ride my father's vélo de course--he would sit me on the top bar and still manage to keep up with the local mopeds; maybe it was the daily showing of the Tour de France every summer, or more simply, the desire to have my own way to get around. In any case, I got addicted at a very early age!

Alas, I had no bike of my own-except for my tricycle that even our dog could ride (I'm not kidding!)-Until I was handed over my older brother's bicycle.

I remember everything about my first bike, every small detail. I close my eyes and I can actually picture it in great details: the exact shade of green, the small scratches on the frame, the curved brakes I could barely hold in my small hands, the plastic pedals I could barely reach. Although this bike was too big for my size, I wanted to learn how to ride at any cost! To my mother's despair!

Even more vivid are the physical memories: the daily falls, on the road, in streams, ditches, fences; it did take me a while to master the art of steering. I would come back from my very first rides black and blue from the falls, red from the stinging nettles, but immensely happy to be one step closer to my goal.
I remember then answering proudly to those who would ask me what I would do when I grew up "bicycle racer and farmer," just like Jacques Anquetil, five-time winner of the tour. I would not settle for less!

I was the happiest kid, I would disappear for hours at a time, exploring the region, discovering new roads in foreign territory--or I would have liked to imagine! It was thrilling, exhilarating. I would come back to my worried and disbelieving parents' proudly describing how far and how much ground I had covered. Riding was freedom!

Thirty years later, that feeling hasn't changed one bit. On a bike, I am still the happiest kid. Although, I love all cycling-oriented activities: commuting, road racing, mountain-biking, cyclo-cross, nothing brings me more pleasure than discovering new regions: whether it's the Alps, or the Rockies, or Vietnam! Is it the smells that you can experience while riding? Is it the human pace that allows the rider to visit a country in greater detail than you would in a car? Is it the fact that a bike can take you on roads that cars cannot use? In any case, biking has allowed me to immerse myself in countries and areas in a very privileged way; I have captured and brought back images, odors, feelings, and impressions that cannot be captured behind a car's window. Beside, a bike is a piece of conversation, a cultural bridge, a social equalizer in many countries where bicycles are people's only means of transportation.

On a bike, you are no longer an observer you are a peaceful and friendly actor. You become part of what you visit in the most respectful way of people's life and their environment--pollution-free.

Cyclomundo is the offspring of this vision of travel. Although I don't expect to the turn the world to biking, I hope I will inspire some to take their bikes and explore…

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03/22/2004