Almost 100 days biking across the Atlantic Ocean, who could imagine it. That’s exactly what happened to Alex Mutsaars from Geldrop 4 years ago, during a crossing with a motor boat (yacht) from the Carribean, the idea came to Alex to do the crossing with muscular strength. Nederland being a typical biking country, a wheel driven construction seemed the perfect choice.

The original plan of the “Biking the Ocean” team was to depart from New York in the summer 2009 and to arrive in Amsterdam, but it was not possible one problem was getting a team together with enough experience. But giving up was not an option, Alex went looking for an alternative challenging route. That’s when the idea of Route Athens – Amsterdam was born.

Between May and August 2009, after a lot of preparation, the crossing will take place. An enormous challenge both for boat and crew (team), the team for the whole crossing consists of Alex Mutsaars and Matthijs Houben, Mark de Vries will join the team during the 1st stage in the Mediteranean Sea.

The Pedal Boat is in fact an Ocean Boat with wheel drive, after a radical rebuild it was officially put to water in September 2008. The 11 meter long boat “BTO Challenger”is fitted with 8 sunpanels, a wind generator and a Watermaker, where we not only make Green Energy also we make our own drinking water. A Sattelite Beacon on board will make it possible to follow our progress, we will also give regular updates of our progress. From the Zea Marine Harbour in Athens at the end of April 2009 the adventure will start, 100 days of Pedal Boating, almost 4500 km only using manpower. The most important mission is to raise money for Villa Pardoes in Kaatsheuvel, and of course the never ending Glory.

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