Travel Again Blog

Permalink
Permalink
Permalink nonsensemachine: Aydin Irmak Trying to Take His Bicycle to Everest’s Summit FOR THE LAST several weeks here in Base Camp, people have been curious about the American clad in camouflage pants and a Keffiyeh, pushing a 33-pound, steel-frame single speed around Base Camp. His name is Aydin Irmak, and he’s a 46-year-old Turkish New Yorker. When I first saw him in Pheriche, about a two-day walk down valley from Everest Base Camp, I asked Irmak where he was taking the bike. His response, “Heaven.” The short version of Irmak’s story is that he plans to carry his bike to the summit. He’s not trying to raise awareness for any cause, not trying to beam images of himself to schoolchildren back home, not trying to find fame and, in fact, is trying very hard to keep a low profile in Base Camp. Too many people have already let him know that his quest is foolish, dangerous, irresponsible, or worse. But like most New Yorkers, he doesn’t care what you think.
Permalink
Permalink
Permalink tripoddiaries: photo 318/365: the world is yours to explore © Ashley Herrin Twitter // Flickr // Facebook
Permalink
Permalink
Permalink

The only life worth living is the adventurous life. Of such a life the dominant characteristic is that it is unafraid. It is unafraid of what other people think…It does not adapt either its pace or its objectives to the pace and objectives of its neighbors. It thinks its own thoughts, it reads its own books. It develops its own hobbies, and it is governed by its own conscience. The herd may graze where it pleases or stampede where it pleases, but he who lives the adventurous life will remain unafraid when he finds himself alone.

Permalink