Giorgio Fourage (2.14-16) has become the first man to travel around the world on a wooden bike.
The trip saw him cycling over 33,000km, across four continents and through 31 countries. He left Brussels in August 2022 and his route has taken him across Europe to Southeast Asia via Turkey, Iran, India and Nepal before dropping down through Vietnam en route to Australia and New Zealand. After taking in Peru, Bolivia and Paraguay in South America, Giorgio started the final leg of his tour back to Europe, travelling through Portugal and France, before reaching Brussels almost a year after setting off, in August.
His plan was to keep costs to a minimum by wild camping, ‘hitching’ ferry crossings and accepting free accommodation wherever possible.
Challenge statistics:
Distance = 33.127 km
Countries = 31
Continents = 4
Elevation = 256,000
Cycling Hours = 1574 (equivalent of 66 days on the saddle)
Nights in Jail = 1 (Pakistan)
Highest night = 4900m
Longest climb = 70 kilometres, 3480 metres
Bikes = 1
Pairs of wheels = 1
Broken spokes = 0
T-shirts = 2
Sailing = 10,000 miles
Giorgio’s challenge was to raise funds for Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque Enfants du Monde, a charity which helps in the fight against children’s cancer, as well as raising awareness of sustainable travel. If you would like to make a donation, visit his fundraising page.
You can also follow Giorgio’s journey through pictures via his Instagram account.
The Malvernian Society supported Giorgio’s adventure with a grant which he is using towards the production of a documentary of his challenge. If you are an OM or EOG and are thinking of embarking on a personal challenge, please get in touch with the Malvernian Society to let us know as we may be able to offer a grant.
Congratulations, Giorgio, everyone at Malvern College is extremely proud of you!