A cyclist who is on a four-year world journey

By Mohammed Alshabibi

Meet Mateuz Syrik, an adventurous cyclist on an extraordinary four-year journey worldwide. Like many avid travellers, Mateuz is driven by an insatiable curiosity and a thirst for exploration, undeterred by the inevitable challenges that globetrotters encounter. His unique quest involves traversing four continents—Asia, Africa, North America, and South America in four years.

Mateuz's inspiring journey came into the spotlight when he crossed paths with an intriguing signboard in Salalah in the Sultanate of Oman that read "4 years on a bike."

Before embarking on this epic adventure, Mateuz spent five years working as a graphic designer for Thomas Cook, the world's foremost travel company, in the bustling city of London. During his time there, he created captivating advertisements for their magazines and videos for their chain of stores. However, his true aspiration was to create images of far-off destinations and experience them firsthand.

He chose to leave behind the security of a steady income and the consumer-driven lifestyle, questioning the need to accumulate possessions endlessly. He reflects on the societal pressure to believe that happiness is contingent on material wealth and possessions, asserting that he did not want to spend his life pursuing this elusive mirage.

Mateuz, 46, has already completed an impressive leg of his journey, spanning countries like Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Iran, Pakistan, India, Myanmar, Thailand, and many more. He covers approximately 100 kilometres daily, immersing himself in an exhilarating mix of experiences, challenges, and risks that bring him closer to understanding the world's intricate tapestry.

His motivation, like that of many travellers, is rooted in a deep desire to embrace new traditions, languages, and customs and savor the cultural diversity that our world offers. Oman, with its welcoming atmosphere and reputation as the third safest country globally, according to rankings, has become a cherished destination on his journey. Here, he delights in observing locals adorned in pristine white attire, often extending invitations for dates and coffee. Oman's multicultural fabric, with people from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, fosters a sense of unity and cooperation, reinforcing Mateuz's belief in the possibility of peaceful coexistence.

Travelling by bicycle provides the unique opportunity to stay intimately connected with the natural world, allowing cyclists to revel in the beauty of landscapes, feel the gentle caress of the wind, basking in the warmth of the sun, and tune in to the symphony of nature's sounds. It also keeps him in excellent physical shape, thanks to daily exercise. The limitation on personal belongings encourages a minimalist lifestyle, reflecting the simplicity that comes with this mode of travel.

Mateuz emphasises the liberating aspect of cycling, where he can set his own pace, follow his chosen route, and free himself from the constraints of timetables and public transportation. This independence allows him to explore places that would be challenging to reach by other means, including remote villages, hidden paths, and secluded locales.

While many cyclists embark on journeys of varying lengths, Mateuz's commitment to the road extends beyond Oman. His ambitious itinerary includes Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, and a host of other countries, culminating in a remarkable tour of the Americas from Chile to Canada.

Of course, such a long-distance cycling adventure is not without its challenges, especially after sunset. As a budget traveller, Mateuz often opts not to spend money on accommodations, leading him to exercise creativity in finding places to rest. From police stations to the occasional police prison cell, he adapts to his surroundings to ensure safety and comfort. Temples, churches, and mosques are among his preferred spots to set up his tent, as these sacred places typically command respect from the local community. More often than not, he is welcomed into private homes, a testament to the hospitality that extends across borders.

Mateuz's journey is a testament to the human spirit's boundless capacity for exploration and adventure. His quest to see the world and experience its diversity firsthand serves as an inspiration to all who dream of embarking on a life-changing journey of their own.