At the age of 64, she was injured and went through a martyrdom of surgeries and illnesses that brought her to her knees. However, she wanted to get back on her feet and chose a long and lonely path. A journey through beautiful and wild Canada on a recumbent e-bike. The adventure not only restored her health but also gave her the desire to move on. That is why a 12,000 km long solar bicycle race from France to China is being prepared today.
When did you start to think about the tour across Canada?
In January 2016 for a departure in May 2016 The idea came to me as a necessity of personal survival following several health problems that started in August 2015. At that moment, I felt down in a staircase (I missed a step) and landed in an unprotected window that broke my left hand while I was trying to protect my face. As a result, all extensor tendons of my left hand were injured necessitating the first operation. In October 2015, I was sick for 3 weeks with a 40°C fever necessitating hospitalization. The diagnosis was a Cytomegalovirus infection that severely diminished my immune system. It took me one year to fully recover and gain my immunity back. In December 2015, I got a new infectious disease with a new hospitalization. Finally, in January 2016, a second operation was necessary on my left hand because the first operation had failed. It was too much! I was sinking both physically and morally and thought that I had to do something to get out of it. Being fond of sport, I thought of a long bike ride.
How long did it take to actually prepare the trip?
Two months.
Why Canada and what was your route?
Canada came to my mind for several reasons.
– I wanted a country where I could get treatment in case of relapse.
– As a not that young woman traveling alone, I wanted to feel safe.
– For moral recovery, I wanted to cross a magnificent country known for its landscapes, nature, and animals.
Talking about the route, I had to travel from the Pacific coast to the Atlantic because of the prevailing winds. Thus I landed in Vancouver, British Columbia, and finished my ride in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I found a man who previously made this trip on the ” travel forum “, I contacted him and we spent 4 hours discussing the journey together via Skype. He helped me enormously, and since mutual help is a fundamental value for me, I was very happy with this “part” of the journey.
How many kilometers did you make?
9084 km
When did you start to think about the tour across Canada?
In January 2016 for a departure in May 2016 The idea came to me as a necessity of personal survival following several health problems that started in August 2015. At that moment, I felt down in a staircase (I missed a step) and landed in an unprotected window that broke my left hand while I was trying to protect my face. As a result, all extensor tendons of my left hand were injured necessitating the first operation. In October 2015, I was sick for 3 weeks with a 40°C fever necessitating hospitalization. The diagnosis was a Cytomegalovirus infection that severely diminished my immune system. It took me one year to fully recover and gain my immunity back. In December 2015, I got a new infectious disease with a new hospitalization. Finally, in January 2016, a second operation was necessary on my left hand because the first operation had failed. It was too much! I was sinking both physically and morally and thought that I had to do something to get out of it. Being fond of sport, I thought of a long bike ride.
How long did it take to actually prepare the trip?
Two months.
Why Canada and what was your route?
Canada came to my mind for several reasons.
– I wanted a country where I could get treatment in case of relapse.
– As a not that young woman traveling alone, I wanted to feel safe.
– For moral recovery, I wanted to cross a magnificent country known for its landscapes, nature, and animals.
Talking about the route, I had to travel from the Pacific coast to the Atlantic because of the prevailing winds. Thus I landed in Vancouver, British Columbia, and finished my ride in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I found a man who previously made this trip on the ” travel forum “, I contacted him and we spent 4 hours discussing the journey together via Skype. He helped me enormously, and since mutual help is a fundamental value for me, I was very happy with this “part” of the journey.
How many kilometers did you make?
9084 km
You have read about 20% of the article
If you want to read the full article, you have to be a Premium Member.
⭐️ Become a Premium Member! ⭐️
Are you Premium Member? Just Log-in!
