Coen (37), an accountant and Dienne (27), a dental hygienist began their journey on bicycles on November 12, 2005. Since then, they have crossed 33,300 kms, and are now looking forward to reach their endpoint in Beijing, China. Deccan Herald caught up with the couple in the City where they arrived on Wednesday.

“We just want to see the world and meet different people. Cycling is our passion. We fly only  to cross the sea but cycle across mountain ranges and deserts”, explained Coen.

30 countries
Starting from their Abergen home in Holland, they have covered 30 countries, including Germany, Switzerland, France, Spain, Morocco, Senegal, Gambia, Bisal, Guynee, Ivory Cost, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, South Africa, Lessoto, Swazi Land, Botswania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibonti, Yemen, Oman, UAE, and Sri Lanka. After Pakistan and Nepal, they will spend three-four months in India and China.
The couple had reached Thiruvananthapuram from Sri Lanka last month and have been pedalling since.

“On an average we cover about 100 kms a day. We take shelter at the place where we reach by evening and sleep on the road side if we have to. If we reach a city by evening we take a room in a lodge,” said Diene.

Light travel
They travel light. Luggage for them was a tent, sleeping bags, stove, some fruits, spare parts of bicycle and clothes. Dienne has already cycled alone from Holland to New Zealand in 2003-04, covering over 5,000 kms while in 2004, Coen travelled from Holland covering 20,500 kms in a bicycle. He had also cycled across South Africa.

“We are not spendthrifts,” says Coen and the couple do not spend more than Rs 200 a day in India.

Their aim is to reach Beijing by 2009. “Before leaving from one country to another we arrange for travel visa etc. So far we have enjoyed the journey,” he said. The couple can be reached at bikedemmer@hotmail.com and at their website, (www.worldbiker.whereareyou.net)