Kazan, Russia—After 17 months, 13 countries, and 25,000 kilometers, a UPF Ambassador for Peace finished his trip around the world by bicycle.
On October 7, 2018, Ildus Yanyshev concluded his Global Bike Tour for Peace and Goodwill at the main entrance of the Hotel Riviera in Kazan, the capital of the Russian Republic of Tatarstan. He was accompanied by a half-dozen brave men on bicycles.
The Universal Peace Federation supported Mr. Yanyshev throughout his tour and was pleased to respond to the offer to take part in its final stage.
Ildus Yanyshev, who is a businessman in Kazan and the president of the Union of Cyclists of Tatarstan, traveled 25,000 kilometers (more than 15,500 miles) through 13 countries of the world, carrying the flag of the UPF Peace Road initiative.
This grand bike tour passed through Europe, North America, and Asia, including China and Russia. The last stage of the journey, from the port city of Vladivostok on the Pacific coast to the city of Almetyevsk, Tatarstan, was more than 10,000 kilometers (more than 6,200 miles).
“I drove 13 countries in 17 months. Now I’m happy to be home. It’s hard to describe my feelings,” Mr. Yanyshev admitted. “I have dreamed about such a trip all my life, since I bought my first bike.”
Dmitry Samko, the secretary general of UPF-Moscow, welcomed the finishers.
On October 8—as part of the Days of Cycling Culture held in Kazan from October 4 to 8—the international conference “The Bicycle in the Service of Humanity: Humanitarian Dimensions” was held with about 100 participants. The conference addressed the impact of cycling culture on physical and mental health, environmental conservation, economic and sociocultural development of the regions, strengthening peace and international cooperation, and assistance to socially vulnerable people.
The speakers were experts from France, China, Germany and other countries. Maria Nazarova, secretary general of UPF-Russia, made a presentation to the conference about the vision and founders of the Peace Road initiative.
Congratulations to Ildus Yanyshev on the victorious conclusion of the world tour and the successful holding of events in the framework of the Days of Cycling Culture. We sincerely wish him success in future projects and will continue our cooperation with pleasure.