Jenny and Ahmed's Cycling Journey

Paths 2 The Soul - Episode 001

From Brussels 2 Bettembourg (Jan 19-23, 2025)

Countries Visisted :

The Journey Has Begun...

January 19th, 2025, marked the first day of our new lives. We embarked on the first stage of a journey that will last five to ten years, and maybe more. This adventure will take us from Brussels to South Korea, crossing the countries of Eastern Europe and all of Asia. For us, this journey is an opportunity to take back control of our lives, to uphold our beliefs, and restore harmony between our thoughts and our actions, something that was difficult, if not impossible to achieve in our previous lives.

The first leg of our journey was about 470 km, from Saint-Gilles, Belgium, the home we left behind, to Saint-Blaise-la-Roche, France, where Jenny’s mom lives (our new base camp).

The past few months, and especially the last few weeks, have been intense: sorting, organizing, giving away, and finding people who could make use of the objects we’ve accumulated over decades… A process that was sometimes exhausting, but the memories and the meaningful moments will stay with us forever.

What truly matters is not the possessions we left behind, but the essence of who we truly are and who we strive to become. It is the love of our families, the support of our friends, the connections yet to be made, and the landscapes still waiting to be discovered. The farewells and final words before departure were filled with deep emotion, but our paths will cross again.

"Tell me, what is there to gain from long journeys? That distance which sharpens our vision and makes us see clearly, that distance which stretches our bonds and makes us love fiercely, that clarity which is called Detachment."
Lanza Del Vasto, The Pilgrimage to the Sources.

The Grand Departure: Emotions, Encounters, and First Challenges

Brussels → Namur - 65 km 🚴

It’s the big day! We leave Brussels with a whirlwind of emotions, surrounded by our loved ones. The goodbyes are heartfelt, and excitement mixes with a bit of apprehension. Our bikes, each weighing more than 50 kilos, take some getting used to, making the first few kilometers a bit chaotic.

Very quickly, the magic of bicycle touring takes over: we meet Thibault, a cyclist preparing for a journey all the way to Kenya. He is intrigued by our bikes and panniers, which are still spotless… after just 10 km. We take our first photo together, and he rides off, chasing his own adventure dream.

Further down the road, three young Flemish cyclists stop us. They need a tool, and we are happy to help. One of them works for the magazine Bruzz, who knows, maybe there will be an article about us in the future?

The weather changes, fog rolls in, and the cold becomes biting. The road is stunning at first, with beautiful cows and frost-covered paths, but everything takes a turn when we find ourselves on thick muddy trails in the middle of the fields. Our bikes get stuck, and soon, they are completely covered in mud.

By the end of the day, exhaustion truly sets in. Ahmed’s hands and feet are frozen, and we have to push through mentally to reach Namur. It’s already dark when we arrive at Michèle’s house, our first Warm Showers host. Her warm welcome is a huge relief, hot water bottles, a warm shower, a comforting meal, and inspiring conversations about Compostela, Korea, and the purpose of our journey.

The Art of Listening to One’s Limits

Namur → Nassogne - 46 km 🚴 + 20 km🚊

We wake up feeling refreshed at Michèle’s place. Her hospitality and advice deeply move us. Over a nourishing breakfast, she shares her travel experiences, reminding us of the importance of listening to our needs and not hesitating to ask for help along the way.

We set off with our bikes still covered in mud from the previous day. First mission: find a place to clean them. After a failed attempt at a car wash, we meet Éric, the manager of a Kärcher store, who kindly offers to wash our bikes at the back of his shop. He is passionate about cycling and even sponsors cross-bike races. Thanks to him, our bikes look almost brand new again, although Ahmed nearly chokes Éric by talking with his mouth full of dried fruits, causing a memorable "peanut shower."

Time flies, and we realize we won’t make it to our hosts, Pascal and his family, at a reasonable hour. So, we decide to take a train from Ciney, skipping 20 km to arrive earlier. Along the way, we meet a kind man who offers us help.

At Rochefort, we still have 10 km to go, with a tough 17% climb at the end. Arriving at Pascal, Valérie, Anna, Sacha, and Ali’s home is pure joy. Pascal and Sacha are passionate about sports, and Pascal is preparing for his 30th marathon! Valérie is incredibly warm and makes us feel at home right away. The evening is lively and heartwarming, especially with the visit of Caroline and Sébastien, two very athletic friends of theirs. We talk about travel, cycling, performance, and life in general. This unforgettable hospitality reminds us of how kindness can turn a tough day into a cherished memory.

When Hospitality Takes a Thousand Forms

Nassogne → Libramont-Chevigny - 28 km 🚴

A deep, restful sleep. Valérie, the mother of the family, had thoughtfully closed the shutters, leaving us in complete darkness. In the morning, she welcomes us with a grand breakfast, freshly pressed juice, warm bread, cheeses, and charcuterie. Before heading to work, she entrusts us to Anna and Sacha's capable hands. What strikes us the most is the incredible harmony within this family, it’s truly amazing.

After our goodbyes and the usual photo, we set off on a shorter trip, with no pressure on distance. A tea break in the forest, passing through Saint-Hubert, a Ramen picnic in a perfect little spot… The sun is shining, and the rolling roads are simply stunning.

Upon arriving in Libramont-Chevigny, we look for a place to sleep. I ask the supervisor of a school, who advises me to call the town hall. By luck, we reach Josiane, who, along with the president of the community hall, kindly opens La Bondine for us to stay the night.

The surprise of the day? At 19:45 PM, a meeting of the local cycling club is held in the same hall! We attend a lively evening where we meet Jean-Pol, an experienced bicycle traveler, along with other enthusiasts. Jean-Pol is so excited about our journey that he’d love to join us! The atmosphere is fantastic, and we immediately feel welcomed. The night ends with a group photo and a final cup of herbal tea in the now-empty hall.

Encounters That Leave a Mark

Libramont-Chevigny → Habay-La-Neuve - 35 km 🚴

A strange night, punctuated by an absurd dream: Trump starring in a movie where he plays a Nazi dictator… Upon waking, we quickly pack up our camp and stop by to say goodbye to Josiane and Bruno. Their hospitality touches us deeply. Their home is a true family cocoon, filled with memories and photos. A shared coffee seals a warm farewell.

On the road, the morning light is breathtaking. The climbs and descents are gentler, with rolling, peaceful landscapes. We take a break under a tunnel to put on our rain jackets as the rain starts falling.

A spontaneous stop at a sandwich shop. The simple joy of a good meal is written all over Ahmed’s face as he enjoys his sandwich like it’s the best in the world.

Upon arriving in Habay-la-Neuve, we stop for some groceries at Aldi. While I’m inside, Ahmed strikes up a conversation with a Syrian family. Shahad and her father spontaneously invite us to their home. This moment becomes one of the most powerful of our journey. Their generosity is deeply moving.

The father prepares cappuccinos and a fruit platter. Shahad shares her story with modesty and humor, her exile, abandonment, crossing the border, separation, and eventual reunion with her father… Despite everything, she carries a radiant smile and an impressive inner strength. Her two younger brothers join us for the meal, which is simply delicious. The atmosphere feels just like family.

As time passes, we must leave to meet our host Marie-France, who lives only 500 meters away. The farewell is emotional.

At Marie-France’s, the welcome is warm, and her home is beautiful. She is training for a marathon in Greenland and has already completed several Tours du Mont-Blanc! We share a meal and talk at length about Korea, her son lives there with his Korean wife. Another unexpected but beautiful connection. The rain drums against the roof as we fall asleep, our hearts full of gratitude.

Between Encounters and the Unexpected

Habay-la-Neuve → Bettembourg - 54 km 🚴

Leaving the warmth of Marie-France’s cozy bed isn’t easy, but once we’re on the bike, everything feels right again. The sky is gray, the cold bites a little, but the small roads lined with forests and fields offer a familiar and peaceful setting. We take a tea break in a field, our hands are frozen.

In Arlon, we make a quick stop at the administrative center for a nostalgic moment, recalling my early days as an architect in Belgium. Then, we pass by an old mill factory. Our legs burn on the climbs, but soon, Bettembourg comes into view. The problem? Our Warm Showers hosts are not responding…

A passerby, Marcel, informs us that all the hotels in Bettembourg have closed, except for an Ibis that’s beyond our budget. He kindly walks us to the town hall, but no accommodation solution emerges. Eventually, we give in, heading to the Ibis.

On the way, we meet Colette, a neighbor of Marcel. She’s 80 years old and cycles 3,000 km per year, truly inspiring!

The hotel stay puts a big dent in our budget, but after a long hot shower, we fall asleep instantly, too tired to care.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post!
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Stay tuned for more in our next post…

Jenny & Ahmed