The Idea

The Idea

The basic idea is simple: I wanted to explore our renewable energy future. I want to learn from people working in the renewable energy sector, a sector I want to start working in myself. I thought, the best way to do this: Going by electric bicycle from Cape to Cape. During the journey I talk with the people who are working on our renewable energy future and share my learnings by giving workshops at secondary schools.

So how did I come up with this idea?

In the past…  

The first atlas I ''read''

I had some weird habits. As a young boy I read atlases before falling asleep. For hours I could stare at all kind of maps, being amazed by all the information that could be stored on such a little piece of paper. In my head I would make imaginary journeys to discover new places and I also drew maps of imaginary countries.

By now… I realize that the whole world has already been explored by guys like Vasco da Gama, Christopher Columbus and the vikings.

So what is left for me to explore?! —> in November 2011 I realized that I would like to explore our renewable energy future! After studying Environmental Economics for two years I realized I did not install any solar-panels, smell any bio-diesel or driven an electric car before. I considered cycling on an electric bicycle from Cape to Cape to be one of the best ways to explore our renewable energy future!

Why do you choose to cycle from Cape to Cape (and not from e.g. Someren to Ulaanbaatar)?

Epic adventures need to have great names. My initial plan was to cycle from Copenhagen to Cape Town, a nice alliteration. Later I realized that Cape to Cape sounds much better, looks better on a map, and would give my electric bicycle a good test in arctic conditions.

Any other reasons?

I like competitions… these are two competitions I might win after completing Cape to Cape 2012:

 - My dad cycled from Tilburg to Rome when he was younger, he challenged me to top that….

- Two good friends have traveled to more countries in the world than I have. Cycling through the new countries Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Syria, Libanon, Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia could give me a marginal lead again.