The third and wisest cyclist finally shares his thoughts.

Bonjour!
I am Olivier Muzard, 49 years old and Jules’s father. I have been cycling since I was a kid in France. I organized my first bike trip with my 2 children Jules and Augusta 6 years ago. We visited France several times and made a big 3 weeks trip across Europe 2 years ago. I spent holidays to discover new regions, new countries and new cultures by bike. And this is my new passion, bikepacking, a true way of life.
My other passion is Asia and especially the Himalayas. I discovered Himalayas 10 years ago when I went to Daramsha in India to meet the Dalaï Lama. Since I am a big fan of Himalayan regions and culture, I made a 4 weeks trek in Nepal in 2010 around Manaslu mountain and an other Trek last year near Pokara in Nepal. Everything in relation with Himalayan people, culture or countries interest me a lot.
Thus when I had the opportunity to visit Pakistan with Jules this year, I was excited. This 2 weeks bike trip in Karakoram region is a huge opportunity to discover Pakistan’s history, culture, people and mountains. Riding across the Karakoram valley, reaching the Khunjerav pass at 4700 m is really a big challenge! I hope everything will be fine and not too hard! I am so excited and proud to do that, without no restriction I am sure it will be amazing. I would thank Ali Alam for his organization of our trip.

Now the show must go on!!!

Last minute thoughts….

United we stand, divided we fall!

Hello everyone,

I am Jules, the second rider of the Khana Badosh squad, law and history student, 20 yo and coming from France.

Coming from the French countryside, sport, nature and most generally adventure, have always been my main interests. I have been for the last summer lucky enough to discover beautiful countries of different continent of the world and today, I feel ready to face a new challenge.

I met Ali few years ago as we both were in the same school in Malaysia and we became great friends since then. For this summer he proposed me to come to Pakistan to cycle through the Himalayan and Karakorum ranges, I didn’t hesitate a minute!

It is indeed a great opportunity to discover Pakistan. After spending few days in Lahore, one of the biggest and most ancient cities of Southern Asia, we will start a two weeks bikepacking trip through the mountains which will be very fascinating.

If I assume I have a reliable sport condition and experience to achieve the tour, there are things we and I will have to be very cautious about : make sure we have enough water and food, keep our bikes in good state, find convenient places to cycle and rest, avoid the disturbances the weather and temperature could cause… stay safe while we enjoy this beautiful area.

I have studied about it, but I have never been to Pakistan and it’s neighbouring countries and am very attracted by its culture too. I thus can’t wait to discover this country and meet its people. I am also aware this might be a cultural shock to me as much as to the Pakistani people.

In France, the understanding of Pakistan is rather low. Many people today regard this country as unwelcoming, hostile and even tend to associate it to an extremist land. I truly hate stereotypes and I am willing to emerge myself into those societies to make up my own mind on all that. I am glad Ali will guide and help me to understand this country.

Few days before taking off from Paris, time to finish my suitcase, see you later guys!

J.M.

Riding for a cause…

We decided to record the journey as to share with others that the stereotypes of Pakistan are false and also to raise money for the charity Imran Khan Cancer Appeal. Not only that but we will also be collecting litter on the way to promote eco-tourism, a clean and green Pakistan.

Pakistan has recently started getting in the limelight for its amazing tourist sites. We feel we can contribute to promoting Pakistan’s tourism and giving the International community a positive view of Pakistan’s beauty and its people’s hospitality. Since we will be cycling on our own through the Northern areas of Pakistan and interacting with the locals first hand, we will be able to show the Pakistani nature in raw.

You can follow this link to donate to the charity and help save lives: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bike-packinglakarakorum

Additionally you can buy these custom made stickers made by a good friend of mine’s Nida Abbas. All proceeds go to charity. To order these for just 2.50 pound each, email at badoshk100@gmail.com

To do or not to do?

The thought of travelling in Pakistan is always doubted, let alone travelling in Pakistan as an 18 year old on a bicycle (bike-packing). Well, that is precisely what I am doing this summer with two of my French mates (Jules and Oliver Muzard). I would be the youngest person to do this extreme bicycle touring in the mighty Karakorum Mountains, also sometimes called the eight wonder of the world.

The idea was not well received by my family and friends who thought I was crazy for cycling around Pakistan as they were concerned for my safety and the fact that I couldn’t possibly do such an extreme tour. And the old question of ‘To Do or Not To Do’ was raised. ….I had to definitely do it now because my rebel nature wouldn’t let me sit in peace without not having opposed what the others said.

It’s 15th of July today, I have been training and preparing for my first mega tour and in only few weeks time from now I will leave for the Mountains.

It is a fact that every great leap forward in human life begins with risk taking.

You can follow my journey here and on my Instagram account _khana.badosh_

Cheers,

K.B.