With a bicycle, a passion for adventure and a spirit of not being afraid of challenges, Gavin Quinn, an Irishman and also the owner of the travel account pay off The Go, completed a trip that many people could not have imagined: cycling from his home in Ireland to Vietnam, traveling more than 11,800 km, spanning Europe, Central Asia and Southeast Asia.
I am not a professional athlete. But this journey, for me, is my own Olympic gold medal, Gavin emotionally talked about the moment he set foot in Ha Long Bay - the final destination in the journey that has lasted more than a year.
Starting on June 30, 2024, Gavin departed from his home in Ireland, taking a ferry to northern Spain.
From there, Gavin cycled through France, Monaco, Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan.
After that, he flew to Bangkok (Thailand) and continued his cycling journey through Laos and finally to Vietnam on July 9, ending a 1-year, 9-day journey.
Sharing with Lao Dong, when asked why he chose such a special journey, Gavin did not hesitate to say that it all started with a simple love: Love for bicycles and the desire to explore.
I used to work in the bicycle industry. I love cycling. And above all, I always dream of exploring the world in a different way, he said.
For Gavin, short trips are never enough. A year ago, feeling that time had ripened, he decided to start the biggest journey of his life: starting from his own home in Ireland and going to the East.
Vietnam was chosen as the final destination because for Gavin, it is the end of the Asia- Europe continent.
That is the end point of the mainland before it touches the Pacific Ocean. There is nothing more perfect than that, Gavin shared.
11,800 km is a long enough distance to contain thousands of stories. Gavin shared that it is difficult to choose the most memorable moments, because each journey, each stop has its own memories.
I once watched the Tour de France live in southern France - one of my childhood dreams. I climbed the highest mountains in Central Asia and felt the cold and majesty of standing on top of the world. I was welcomed by strange families in Europe and Southeast Asia, who gave me a feeling of home, Gavin told about his journey over the past 18 months.
But if he had to choose an unforgettable moment, for Gavin, it was the moment he reached Ha Long beach - ending his lonely journey on the saddle.
I couldnt hold back my tears. The feeling at that time was a mixture of relief, happiness, and pride. I have done what I set out to do nearly two years ago. And that moment will always be mine - no one can take it away, he recalled.
Gavin arrived in Vietnam during the rainy season in the North, the weather was gloomy and humid. However, that did not stop him from feeling the warmth here.
"The rain continued from the time I left Laos until I traveled a few hours into Vietnam. But the people always smile, are friendly and want to talk to me, said the Irish backpacker.
Not only is Gavin fascinated by Vietnamese cuisine. He has been looking forward to eating pho and banh mi for a long time - and these two specialties are really great. They have become my regular snack on the go.
Each country Gavin has gone through leaves its own mark, but for him, Vietnam is the place that makes him feel most complete "finishing".
The scenery is beautiful, the people are sincere, the food is delicious, and the atmosphere is incredibly friendly. Vietnam is the perfect choice to end this journey, Gavin shared.
From a crazy idea to a miraculous reality, Gavin Quinn's 11,800 km cycling journey across the continent is not only a story of endurance, but also a testament to living with passion.
In a hurried modern world, Gavin's slow journey is a gentle reminder that: sometimes, it is the longest roads that bring us closest to ourselves.
