French cyclist pursues lifelong dream with 19,000km ride to Vietnam

Bastien Rebotton, from the Savoie region in southeastern France, will begin his journey on July 6.

His route will take him across several countries before reaching O Quy Ho Pass in Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam on September 24.

He then plans to spend about a month exploring Vietnam.

For many people, cycling about 19,000 kilometers in just three months would seem almost impossible, but for Rebotton, it is the realization of a dream he has nurtured for years.

“It seemed impossible, but in just a few days it will become reality,” he said ahead of his departure.

The first climb of Rebotton's journey will be Col de l'Iseran, the highest paved mountain pass in the French Alps, which rises 2,764 meters above sea level.

The highest point of the trip will be Haizi Shan Pass in China's Sichuan Province, at an elevation of 4,685 meters.

Rebotton said he chose mountain routes not only to make the challenge more demanding but also because they offer some of the world's most spectacular scenery.

“I love mountain passes,” he said.

“When I'm climbing, I’m completely focused on every pedal stroke. And after every climb comes the reward, a long descent where I can simply let myself go."

While Rebotton is no stranger to self-supported long-distance cycling, having completed several rides across Europe, this journey was inspired by a life-changing experience.

About a year ago, he was involved in a collision with a car.

The incident reminded him how quickly life can change and convinced him not to put off the adventure he had long dreamed of.

“I thought it would be wonderful to discover the world through its mountains,” he said.

“People in rural areas are often more open and easier to meet and talk to. The air is cooler. And above all, mountains have always held a special attraction for me.”

Throughout the journey, Rebotton expects to cycle about 200 kilometers a day.

He sees the trip not only as a test of physical endurance but also as an opportunity to better understand his own limits.

But his goal goes beyond completing the challenge.

Instead of camping along the way, he hopes to stay with local families whenever possible.

“I want to meet as many people as I can,” he said.

“Whenever I arrive somewhere new, I’ll ask people to teach me a local saying or expression. I think folk sayings reflect the cultural identity of a place better than anything else.”

To document the journey, Rebotton will carry a camera and share real-time updates on his personal website.

From the bustling streets of Istanbul in Turkey to the vast grasslands of Mongolia, he expects to encounter a wide variety of landscapes and climates.

He plans to begin cycling at sunrise each day to avoid heavy traffic, though there will also be days when he will not see another person for hours.

Not every part of the journey will be completed on two wheels.

To avoid traveling through Russia or Iran, Rebotton will take a one-hour flight across the Caspian Sea before resuming his ride.

He said the biggest challenge in planning the journey was not the distance or the elevation, but finding border crossings that allow cyclists.

As a result, his original 17,000-kilometer route had to be extended to some 19,000 kilometers, including a detour of about 1,000 kilometers in Mongolia alone.

Although his family remains concerned about the ambitious journey, Rebotton believes his previous long-distance cycling experience has prepared him well for the challenge ahead.