Miquel Femenia will set
off on a very special trip: a very long crossing by bike starting from the
North Cape in Norway that will take him back home to Catalonia. What's more, he
is going to do it alone and will take with him a placard written in several
languages and also Help Catalonia’s QR code in order to
spread the Catalan process towards independence on the way. He is sure he will
enjoy his trip and looks forward to replying to many questions from the people
he will meet.
- How did this project come about?
- I wanted to visit
Norway long ago. But it was only two years ago that I started on my cycling
trips, so I thought going up to Cape North would be a nice challenge as then I
only have to try and get back to Barcelona.
- What is the aim of the trip?
- Enjoying myself by
having a cycling trip across Europe, visiting beautiful Norway and probably
losing some weight in the process.
- How is daily life going to be? Are you taking anyone
else with you? Will you have any support if necessary?
- I will do it all alone
without anybody’s support and if I have any problems I will have to
deal with them somehow… Last summer I was
cycling alone in Mongolia but I avoided any risks and my bike only had two
punctures and I was lucky some friendly Chinese companions helped fix the
tyres. That was a Chinese bike I have to say. Last Christmas I went to
Andalusia and they stole my bike and all my equipment (tent, sleeping bag, etc.)
in Cordoba. As usual, I will only have the emotional support from my sweetheart
and friends.
- Why did you choose a cycling trip across Europe?
- Because a bike trip is
cheaper and I can afford it. I would not be able to pay for the all the hotel
bills and other expenses for more than a week. But there is also another reason
which Frank Van Rijn, a cycle-tourism pioneer with more than 600.000 km
experience, can tell so nicely. A bike is fast enough to make you feel you are
really moving on and it is slow enough to let you enjoy everything around you:
landscape, people, etc.
- What helped you decide on the route?
- See, the route is not
well established at all. I will start from the North Cape and then I will just
cycle my way down… If there is a long spell of rain or if I get very
tired, maybe I will get on a train. Or I'll avoid the most rainy areas.
- Why do you have a multilingual placard?
- I will cross several
countries and I want people to understand what is going on in Catalonia and
what we want. We do need international support to succeed in this process. I am
not at ease carrying flags and calling people’s attention but I hope
many people will see me and will be interested
in deciphering the QR code just to know what it is about.
- Why are you taking Help Catalonia’s QR code with you?
- Just because it has got
all the information I would like to spread in English or French, etc.
- What are your expectations for the trip?
- To fulfil my aims:
enjoying a cycling trip across Europe and getting people to ask me about the QR
code and the Catalan process towards independence.
Interview by Txell Parera
http://www.helpcatalonia.cat/2013/07/help-catalonia-on-tour.html
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