Taiwanese cyclist Jacky Chen, who began a world tour in 2015, has arrived in the Turkish capital of Ankara.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Chen said his tour is aimed at inspiring young people and to show his friends the world through his own eyes on his Facebook account "Jacky Chen Around the World with Bicycle - Go or Die".
Having started to his tour in Alaska in 2015, Chen arrived in Turkey on February 27.
Before he set out for the journey, Chen said that he had planned it for two years, saved money and finally quit his job.
An electrical engineer, Chen said, "My goal was to share beauties of the world with my friends and make my dream come true."
Following his stay in Alaska, Chen crossed to the U.S. and then on to Europe by plane.
"I cycled in south Europe in very harsh weather conditions. It was snowy and very cold. It was the hardest point of my trip", Chen remarked.
Came across coyotes and bears
On his adventurous road through Canada and Alaska, Chen said he frequently camped where coyotes were his companions trying to steal his food and bears running across the road were but a common sight.
In Vancouver, he said, his bike was stolen but it was found by the police the day after.
Chen said that he received a new bike in Mexico supplied by a Taiwanese bicycle company that sponsored him, adding that the company provided him in every country he went to with the necessary equipment such as tires and mechanical parts as well bike maintenance.
Hospitality of Turkey
Chen said Turkish people showed great affection to him, showing their hospitality and invited him to eat together.
Chen said that he was always offered tea at gas stations where he had to camp.
Expressing his admiration for Istanbul and Ankara, he said he had experienced no problems in Turkey in terms of security.
He said he had initially planned his tour to last 5 years with more than 100 countries, but he extended it by a year which would see him return home in 2021.
Chen will cross into Bulgaria after his stop in Turkey and then proceed to northern Europe, which will be followed by Africa.
Chen will make his next stops in the Caucasus, Middle East, South Asia, and in Pacific countries.
Dream for a book of experiences
Focused on his world-tour now, Chen will plan for new adventures when he returns home.
He said he also dreamed to write a book about his tour and give lectures in schools.
