“For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move; to feel the needs and hitches of our life more nearly; to come down off this feather-bed of civilization, and find the globe granite underfoot and strewn with cutting flints.” - Robert Louis Stevenson

This in short sums up the reason for this adventure. In our cosy existence, we miss out on what the world has to offer, the many experiences that make us appreciate life, people and the world we share with them.

As the Moorish proverb states “He who does not travel does not know the value of men.”

And finally..... (25-Aug-06)
"I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.
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Photo Album
More pictures of Vinny's trip has been added to the photo album.
Click Here to view the new pictures along with all the other pictures he has taken.

RTE Radio
Vinny's trip was mentioned by the famous RTE Radio commentator, "Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh", on his live broadcast. He will be following Vinny's progress and will update his listeners regularly.
Click Here to download and listen to a small segment.

Team Biography
Vinny
My name is Vincent Bateman, I’m 25 and I come from County Westmeath, Ireland. I attended college in the University of Limerick, where I studied environmental science. I am very much an adventure seeker and whenever the opportunity arises, I am off hiking, cycling, or something similar at a moments notice. I have hiked and cycled all around Ireland and I have also had the opportunity to hike and camp in France and the US. I am very interested in history, geography, languages and cultures, and the Silk Road route should provide all this and more. Being of a masochist nature, I am looking forward to the physical aspect of this trip and also the many different experiences, good and bad, of being on the road which it is sure to bring.

Suzy
I am an energetic and outgoing Dublin girl always on the lookout for some adventure. I grew up in Dublin and left there to go to University in Aberdeen to purse a degree in Marine/Conservation Biology. After I graduated from Aberdeen University I completed a Masters Degree in Applied Environmental Science in University College Dublin.

I have never really spent a considerable amount of time on a bike until I competed in the Dublin Olympic Triathlon in September 2005. In order to train I went in search of some hills in the North of Ireland and was overwhelmed by the feeling of freedom cycling generated in me. I then followed this by participating in the Dublin City Marathon in October 2005 to really see what I was made of. I am very passionate about our charity CONCERN and have raised money on many occasions for their behalf, this is a great opportunity to really make a difference to an entire community’s lifestyle in Zambia in Africa.

I live for a challenge and know that this trip will be a physically gruelling, spiritual, and mental journey, testing my wits every bit of the way.

Interactive Route Map
Check out the full voyage route using an Interactive Route Map. You can view information about various places that Vinny will visit on his journey.
Click here to view

Past Events

Click here for full stories.