Last thoughts...

Now perhaps is the time to admit that this was the first long bicycle tour I have ever done. The bike (which was left unwanted by the previous tenant in the cellar of my student house) mainly helped to get to uni, Sainsburys and around town - never more than a few miles a day! So this escapade was certainly well outside my comfort-zone! But with the help of several people I managed to do it. And I would like to express my personal thanks to these people:

Firstly, Bastian for putting up with me for nearly 2 weeks – and without whom the trip would have been MUCH harder to accomplish!

Secondly, to all those who graciously helped us along the journey – whether it was lending gaffa tape or providing a warm place to stay the night. Some of these people I knew and some were total strangers. Meeting those who assisted in different ways was for me the highlight of the whole journey.

Lastly, without the support of dozens of friends and family, only the distance of the mission would have been accomplished! I am so proud and grateful to have received such support and am pleased to have raised over $2000, enough to hopefully make the world a better place.

Hans


At this point, two months after setting off on Mission Cobblestone, I have a confession to make: when Hans initially proposed doing this over a year ago, I considered it a joke, and when we seriously thought about doing it and he proposed riding for charity, I didn’t think it would work out. Thank you, Hans and all you people who helped us and sponsored us, for proving me terribly wrong – twice over!

I knew I’d love the feeling of being on the road for what feels like ages – going to and from places you’ve never been and experiencing all those things you don’t feel in a car or an airplane: pain, exhaustion, satisfaction, triumph, happiness. What I didn’t know was how many people – many of whom were strangers to me and many of whom we met under highly coincidental circumstances – would jump at the idea behind this trip, sponsor its purpose or spontaneously lend us a helping hand! In the end, Mission Cobblestone surpassed its aim, not only in terms of the money raised!

Following this great resonance, we now hope all the donations do find their way to kids in need. It won’t change child labour and miserable conditions in developing countries worldwide, but if some 38 kids do get bikes from World Vision, and if for just one of them life becomes a bit easier and a bit happier – then Mission Cobblestone has achieved everything we could hope for.

Bastian



P.S.: A final special thanks to Bernd Schmidt for helping Mission Cobblestone across the finish line!