What started as an ambitious dream to pedal around Africa and set a world record has now taken a dramatic turn. My planned departure in December 2024 was set to begin a once-in-a-lifetime solo journey around the African continent in Vaquita II, a human-powered pedal boat. However, geopolitical tensions and logistical hurdles have thrown a wrench into those plans, forcing me to completely reimagine the course ahead.
The war in the Middle East, coupled with the increasing volatility in Yemen, has led to a shift in security regulations along the Red Sea. Most notably, the Suez Canal authorities imposed two non-negotiable conditions: First, I would need to allow a captain onboard for the 90-nautical-mile passage of the canal. This undermines the very essence of my solo expedition—besides, where would this captain even sit on my small pedal-powered vessel? Secondly, they mandated the use of an outboard motor, which directly clashes with my goal of a carbon net-zero voyage. After all, this trip isn’t just about personal achievement but also about highlighting sustainable, human-powered travel.
With Plan A blocked, I explored Plan B: navigating the River Nile. Unfortunately, new prohibitions on foreign vessels in the area dashed those hopes as well.
After many discussions with authorities in both Suez and Djibouti, it became clear that my only viable option was to activate Plan C—my global circumnavigation backup. This plan was always in my mind for such eventualities, though it means a significant delay and a much more expansive journey.
This shift in direction will push back my departure by six months due to hurricane season in the mid-Atlantic and challenging wind patterns off the South African coast. Instead of pedaling around Africa, I will now be circumnavigating the globe, following the trade winds and favorable currents. My journey will take me counterclockwise around the planet, starting from Cape Town.

My new route looks like this:
- Cape Town to St. Helena Island, followed by Ascension Island.
- Crossing the Atlantic to reach Ilha Fernando de Noronha, just east of Brazil—this leg alone could take around five months.
- From there, I’ll pedal onward to Barbados, followed by Aruba, and finally reach Colon, at the entrance of the Panama Canal.
- After passing through the Panama Canal, I’ll resupply in Panama City for the long haul across the vast Pacific Ocean—a stretch of about 8,000 kilometers.
- My next major stop will hopefully be Auckland, New Zealand, where I’ll be able to visit my son, Jean.
- The journey will continue from there to Cairns, Darwin, and Exmouth, Australia.
- From Exmouth, I will cross the Indian Ocean to the Seychelles, then head to the Comoros, and finally arrive in Durban, South Africa.
- The last leg will see me pedal along the South African coast back to Cape Town—completing the circumnavigation four to five years later.
While this is not the original plan, I’m embracing the challenge. What started as a quest to circumnavigate Africa has now evolved into something far more global and daring. A solo, human-powered, and carbon-net zero voyage around the world is the new goal.
This journey will test my endurance, both mentally and physically, but I’m ready to face what lies ahead. The challenges, while unexpected, are just part of the adventure. Four to five years from now, I hope to look back on this route change not as a setback, but as the catalyst for an even greater accomplishment.
The Vaquita II may not be circling Africa, but now it will circle the globe—becoming a symbol of determination, perseverance, and the drive to protect our planet. Stay with me as this new chapter unfolds.