The second tour consisted of cycling on my Trek 2.1 from Rome to Barcelona, travelling a distance of 1773km in 15 days (see tour map). My itinerary was as follows: 19/07 - Rome (Italy, 25.76km) , 20/07 - Montalto di Castro (131.16km), 21/07 - Montiano (113.21km), 22/07 - Antignano (148.43km), 23/07 - La Spezia (passing by Pisa - 112.69km), 24/07 - Rapallo (98.64km), 25/07 - Vado (passing by Genova - 87.68km), 26/07 - Menton (France border - passing by St Remo - 116.72km), 27/07 - Fréjus (114.73km), 28/7 - Sanary-Sur-Mer (149.46km), 29/7 - Port-de-Bouc (113.14km), 30/7 - Le Grau-du-Roi (116.27km), 31/07 - Valras-Plage (101.48) , 01/08 - Sainte-Marie (84.73km), 02/08 - Torroella de Montgri (122.04km), 03/08 - Barcelona (Spain, 137.06km).

In the two months prior to the tour I managed to raise around£1000 to support an indigenous community self-denomited Wichí, which means in their language of origin "different people", that lives in the province of Chaco, Argentina. The Wichís are traditionally semi-nomadic and live well below the poverty line. Since the Wichí people are hunter-gatherers, they live from land-based activities such as hunting, agriculture and fishing. The Wichís have suffered since the beginning of the 20th century from land expropriation and they have been struggling ever since to get the legal titles of the land they traditionally own. Their situation has worsened a great deal after the mega crisis that hit Argentina in 2002, which contributed to reducing even further their capacity for self-sufficiency.

My plan was initially to conquer (in a rather pacific way) with my bicycle this European coastal line. I think I was successful in doing so. I kept my promise to enjoy my ride even when it was hard and painful and, at times, boiling hot. I arrived to destination without any physical injuries and I was lucky enough not to have been run over by a truck, car or even fall off the road! I must say however that it took me a good month to be free from pain.

I had tremendous support from friends and famillythrough my facebook group! In fact, this support group helped me reach my destination on time and as planned. My greatest discovery along the way was to receive the support of those people I was helping, the Wichí community. Without their backing it would have been a million times harder. They were always in my head and I am confident that their support made me stronger and more resilient. That realisation was fantastic!