Around the world via human power during Covid-19 – cyclist searches for best route while battling travel and border restrictions
- Jonas Deichmann is attempting to tour the world, leaving plans A, B and C open as he weighs up a number of options to complete his journey
- German adventurer will cycle, run and swim every bit he can, and sail the oceans, as he attempts to circumnavigate the globe
German adventurer Jonas Deichmann is attempting to defy the odds by making his way around the world under his own steam despite border restrictions.
His long-term goal has always been to attempt a human-powered, around-the-world circumnavigation by cycling, running, swimming and by crossing oceans by un-motorised craft.
As Europe began to open up during last summer he glimpsed a window of opportunity to take on his global adventure. “When I started out at the end of September the [Covid-19] situation was not as it is now. Covid-19 was there, but the second wave had not arrived and there were no mutations, and things were improving,” he said.
At the end of September he left Germany and rode through the early winter conditions of the Alps and on to Croatia. From there he swam along the Adriatic coast, which was not exactly his cup of tea.
“It was just horrible, all of the time,” he said. “From a mental perspective, there’s just nothing to see. On a bike there’s always something to see, and you’re making progress.”