Riding to Break the Cycle

Global Agents for Change is Riding to Break the Cycle again! Each year we launch amazing cycling journeys providing an unparalleled opportunity to build a mobile community and learn about yourself and the role you play in the world, while raising funds and awareness to fight global poverty.

Looking for the application? APPLY

View the 2008 & 2009 blog updates from the rider team

2010 tours:

1) Pacific Coast – Vancouver, Canada to Mexico (3000km, 7 weeks, May 24 – July 10)

One of the world’s most awe inspiring cycling routes, and on every true cyclist’s must do once in a lifetime list. With each day’s scenery somehow more beautiful than the last, this tour winds from Vancouver through stunning old growth forests, past giant sand dunes, and along wild oceanside cliffs while visiting some of the coolest cities in North America. With unparalleled environmental beauty, and a chance to catch schools while they are still in, this tour tends to focus strongly on environmental issues, youth, and as the US border fence grows ever closer it becomes impossible to ignore issues of immigration, economic inequality. This tour has been described as life changing.

$1200 Trip Fee (less than $25/day for all expenses), Minimum $1800 Fundraising Goal

APPLY

Check out the Pacific Coast Tour Route Map

Check out pictures from previous Pacific Coast Tours

Email us for more information on the Pacific Coast Route: ride@globalafc.org OR
phone Sean, a past Pacific Coast rider, at 604-209-7336.

2) Europe – 2 route options:

1 – Amsterdam to Istanbul (9 weeks, 4000 km, June 19 – August 28)

2 - Amsterdam to Budapest(4.5 weeks, 2000km, June 19 to July 24)

A truly epic tour loaded with beautiful terrain, gracious community hosts, challenges and countless learning opportunities to ensure this is a once in a lifetime experience. 2009 was the inaugural year for the European Route. From Amsterdam through Germany, rolling through the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary (half way point), Croatia, Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria (and perhaps a taste of Greece) before arriving in Istanbul, Turkey. As compared to the more established Mexico Route, this tour is best suited for individuals who have a strong willingness to contribute to planning and organizing in the months leading up to the tour. Patience and a sense of humour will be important, as even with thorough preparation plans may change frequently and/or unexpectedly.

Full tour – $1500 trip fee (Europe for less than $25/day!), Minimum $1800 fundraising goal

Half tour – $1100 trip fee, Minimum $1800 fundraising goal

APPLY

Check out the 2009 Europe Tour Route Map

Check out pictures from the previous Europe Tour

Email us for more information on the Europe Tour: ride@globalafc.org OR
phone Mark, a past Europe rider, at 778-773-1867.

3) Cambodia – 650km, 14 days, tentatively departs December 28, 2010

Don’t have 8 weeks for a tour? This experience is for you – from the Angkor temples in the North to the southern coast, you will cross this country by your own power, visiting off-the-beaten-track Cambodia while supporting the very community development projects that you visit en route, ensuring your impact lasts much longer than your tour.

$1250 trip fee, and minimum $500 fundraising goal

APPLY

For detailed information about Cambodia 2011 click here.

Email us for more information on the Cambodia Tour: ride@globalafc.org OR
phone Christina, a past Cambodia rider, at +1 (604) 338 8946.

The Goals

These tours are intensive learning experiences, and built to be social change incubators, challenging riders to engage with organizations and communities along the way as well as eachother to explore social issues, actions and solutions. The exact activities undertaken are strongly informed by tour participants, but examples include:

- learning about pressing local and global environmental issues
- visiting a microfinance organizations (ie Triodos Bank, Oikocredit, Kiva or Unitus)
- team facilitated workshops or discussions on leadership and personal growth
- exploring cycling culture in other cities and communities and the effect it has on building livable cities
- consensus building and facilitation workshops
- visiting shelters and organizations focused on homelessness issues
- meeting with organizations focused on sex trafficking and modern day slavery in Europe and North America
- project planning workshops for post-tour activities for participants (potential to be funded by the organization)

Tours are often described as a time of intense personal growth, and the physical and mental challenge is geared to be demanding, but very achievable. In addition, each rider has a personal fundraising goal – in 2010 we collectively aim to raise $125,000, which riders will help manage to support global education, youth empowerment and microfinance initiatives.

You will be re-inspired, you will be challenged, and you will never experience anything else like this in your life. Take the challenge, we hope to see you on road with us!

View the 2008 & 2009 blog updates from the rider team

*SPECIAL NOTE – We are seeking support drivers for part or all of the Pacific Coast and European tours for 2010. All meals and accommodation (with the team) are covered. This is a critically important role and we strongly encourage applicants of all ages – unconditional love from the cycling team is a definite side benefit as we simply can’t do this without your help. Please contact us for information or to speak to one of our previous support drivers.

HOW TO HELP, ROUTES, DATES & FURTHER INFORMATION

**Please note while all funds raised are managed by Global AFC, tour operations are managed by Youth Empowering Solutions (YES).

No comments yet. Leave a comment now!