From sofa to adventure: "The destination is on the way" inspires cycling fans and globetrotters

Delius Klasing Verlag is launching "Das Ziel liegt auf dem Weg", an extraordinary illustrated book that brings together 40 inspiring stories from cycle travellers from all over the world. Authors Belén Castelló and Tristan Bogaard have brought together over 50 protagonists from 23 countries to share their personal experiences and adventures on two wheels. From short tours through Estonia to epic journeys from Switzerland to Morocco or from France through Senegal to Peru - the range of cycling journeys presented is impressive and shows the diverse possibilities of travelling by bike.

Honeymoon on a bike - cycling for a good cause

Vietnamese Trân Nguyên Khan Nguyên and Frenchman Thibault Clemenceau spent their honeymoon on a bicycle. They travelled from France to Vietnam for eleven months, gathering wonderful impressions and experiences as well as donations for a French-Vietnamese NGO.

Nguyên and Thibault met in a café in Saigon in 2015 and married two years later. Nguyên comes from a traditional Vietnamese family who consider anything outside their own four walls to be dangerous. Cycling more than two kilometres was considered irresponsible. Even as a child, Thibault cycled across the country during the summer holidays. In 2013, he and his younger brother undertook a 4,000-kilometre cycle tour from France to Slovenia and on to Italy.

After almost a year, Nguyên and Thibault reach their destination of Vietnam. Before the start in Thibault's home town in France, the pair trained on a six-week tour through France, as Nguyên still had little experience on a bike. In Europe, the supplies and the physical demands were more manageable. The equipment was also easier to obtain in France. In addition, the adventure was to begin in April, when the conditions in Europe are perfect for cycling tours, but it is hot and humid in Vietnam.

Book tip: Two women, two bikes, one tent

Book tip: New gravel travel guide presents Scotland's gravel paradises

Thibault was already working as a volunteer for Poussières de Vie before the two met. The French-Vietnamese NGO works to ensure that Vietnamese street children go back to school, learn a trade and thus have prospects for the future. In order to help as many children as possible, Nguyên and Thibault set up a donation platform with the NGO. The hoped-for 16,000 dollars were raised in this way. The money was to be used to build a new school in Saigon.

Diverse travel stories for every taste

The large-format illustrated book is divided into four main chapters that highlight different aspects of travelling by bike. Under the headings "Community", "Cycling styles", "Travelling time & age" and "Special projects", readers will find a wide range of stories to inspire them to follow suit. The protagonists impressively prove that neither age nor physical ability, financial means or time constraints need be an insurmountable obstacle to experiencing great adventures on a bike. The variety of stories ranges from travellers with disabilities to cyclists with animal companions and musicians who carry their instruments in their luggage.

The range of travelling styles and vehicles presented is particularly impressive. The authors have deliberately brought together a wide variety of approaches: some protagonists are travelling by tandem, others venture off-road with their bikes, while others have special companions such as a rabbit with them. This diversity emphasises the central message of the book: there is no one right way to travel by bike - everyone can find and implement their own individual approach.

Inspiration and practical advice

The illustrated book is not only a source of inspiration, but also offers practical advice and answers to many questions about travelling by bike, bike tours and bikepacking. The 40 stories are richly illustrated with a total of 426 photos that impressively document the adventures of the protagonists and capture the various landscapes, challenges and special moments of their journeys. The combination of personal experiences and practical tips makes the book a valuable resource for anyone thinking of taking a shorter or longer trip by bike.

In the name of adventure: these are the 12 greatest bike adventurers of all time

The authors Belén Castelló and Tristan Bogaard have extensive experience as cycle travellers themselves and share their knowledge through the careful selection and presentation of the stories. They have made it their mission to encourage people to push their own boundaries and take the plunge into adventure. In the book's epilogue, they summarise their motivation with the pithy sentence: "So no more excuses. Just get going!" This call to action is representative of the basic attitude of the entire book, which aims to encourage people to embark on their own cycling adventures, regardless of supposed obstacles or limitations.

Powerful stories and emotional moments

The travelogues collected in the book are characterised by their authenticity and emotional depth. The authors have deliberately chosen stories that are characterised by powerful, emotional and humorous experiences. They show that cycling trips can be far more than just getting around - they become transformative experiences that can change the traveller's life forever. The protagonists tell of challenges they have overcome, of unexpected encounters that have led to deep friendships, and of moments of self-realisation in the confrontation with their own limits.

The diversity of the people featured and their stories makes it clear that cycling holidays are accessible to people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. The book dispels the myth that you have to be particularly young, fit or wealthy to embark on a cycling adventure. Instead, it shows that with the right attitude, a little planning and the courage to take the first step, anyone can explore the world on two wheels. This democratising message is what makes the illustrated book so appealing and sets it apart from many other publications on the subject of cycle touring.

Opulent furnishings for connoisseurs

With its generous format of 24.5 x 30.5 centimetres and 272 pages, "Das Ziel liegt auf dem Weg" is a real gem for every cycling enthusiast's bookcase. The high-quality layout and the wealth of impressive photographs make the book a visual experience that invites you to dream and plan your own adventures. The careful design emphasises the value of the stories presented and creates an appropriate stage for the courageous protagonists and their extraordinary journeys.

The illustrated book is published by Delius Klasing Verlag. Price: 49.90 euros.
It is available in bookshops as well as directly via the publisher's online shop available.