Jasmien confidently roams the world on the bike
Jasmien and Mathias around the world
TRAVEL INFO
1 Years
16000 Km
16 Countries
“Jasmien Trowers” is a young woman who has made the challenge a motto for her to make a trip around the world on a bike. A girl who resists all odds and is confident of her ability to overcome the Belgian obstacles. She loves competition and chooses only the rugged mountain roads.
INTERVIEW
We asked Jasmien : Tell us about yourself, your name, your country, your age…?
She said : My name is Jasmien Truyers and I come from Belgium. I am 25 years old and 11 months ago I quit my job to ride my bike around the world.
I like to ride off-road, so my bike is a steel mountain bike.
Question: When did your passion for cycling begin?
She said: In Belgium bicycles are a very common way to transport yourself. When growing up I would always bike everywhere: to school, to the supermarket… So at first the bike was just a functional vehicle for me. When I graduated at the age of 23 I started dreaming about traveling the world. The idea of bikepacking popped up and I started to like the idea of slow traveling and using my body to get to beautiful destinations.In Belgium bicycles are a very common way to transport yourself. When growing up I would always bike everywhere: to school, to the supermarket… So at first the bike was just a functional vehicle for me. When I graduated at the age of 23 I started dreaming about traveling the world. The idea of bikepacking popped up and I started to like the idea of slow traveling and using my body to get to beautiful destinations.
Question: What are the biggest challenges you face in this sport?
She said: Cycling in the mountains can be very physically demanding, especially when there is a limited food supply. Sometimes we have to take food on the bike for up to a week. That means we take packaged food and not too much because of the weight. While riding offroad, sometimes we have to push the bikes because the road is too bad. The toughest days have been those where we have to push our bikes up a mountain without fresh food…
Question: Why did you choose adventure and travel in the most difficult areas such as the mountains?
She said: Nothing compares to the tranquility of nature up in the mountains or other deserted areas. While bike travelling in nature we get the chance to see animals in their natural habitat, which is harder to see in the city or while travelling by car. For example the last few weeks we have seen a lot of coyotes on the road. Normally they run away very fast, but in the deserted mountain area they came pretty close and we could observe them for some time. Also cycling in the mountains is very rewarding. It takes a lot of suffering to get on top, but the view on the top is (usually) worth it!
Question: What is your goal in everything you do?
She said: My goal in life is to learn and keep learning through experiences.
Question: What are your tips for girls who want to take part in travel and bike challenges?
She said: More A general tip is: Don’t stop yourself from doing it. You don’t need fancy equipment or a very expensive bike to travel with your bike. If a big cycling adventure is too much, start with some micro adventures. In the beginning we would just pack our sleeping bags on our bike, cycle 30kms on friday evening and camp somewhere. On saturday we would just cycle back home. It doesn’t matter how far or how long you go. The most important is that you are out there enjoying yourself.
A tip specifically for girls: Don’t let you stop by anyone. Sometimes people will pretend like women are not capable of doing these kinds of challenges. Ignore them and follow the general tip.
Question: Did the bike change your life and what are your dreams for the future?
She said: Living minimalistic on the bike changed me. My dreams for the future are nog longer materialistic like owning a house. My dream now is to be able to keep on having astonishing experiences.
Question: What are your motivational tips for our followers?
She said: Take your bike and go wherever you want and can go. It doesn’t matter if it is the forest next to your house or a more exotic place. Go out there and enjoy.
