A spokesperson for the Guild said: George is a chimney sweep and member of the association. We raised around £2500 at our annual charity raffle and wanted to give the guys a real boost’.
When we last contacted George and Josh, they were about to enter China. George sent us this update:
George Kohler reflects on the first 3 months.
After setting off from our Norfolk home in late March, it’s hard to believe that fifteen weeks and over 5,000 miles later Josh and I find ourselves here in Karakol, Kyrgyzstan, having braved the relentless deserts and scorching heat of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. This is the 15th country on our journey so far, as we cycle along the ancient Silk Route heading for China and the Far East.
From the flat landscapes of East Anglia and the Netherlands, we were gently eased into the routine of our daily pedalling. Blessed with unseasonably warm weather we followed the Rhine Valley through Germany with its cobbled streets and smooth cycle paths. Then the adventure truly began as we saw the soaring alpine peaks looming in the distance as we approached Austria and then northern Italy. Here the steep climbs, extreme temperatures and stiff headwinds really pushed us at times.
The Balkan countries came next with their language challenges but wonderful hospitality. We experienced “the kindness of strangers”, a phrase that has struck us so many times on this trip. Discovering the different foods, diverse cultures and ways of life of the people we have met has been humbling. The generosity and warm welcomes have shown the world to be a better place than that so often portrayed in the media.
Cycling through the remote landscapes of Turkey and Western Asia was tough but hugely rewarding. With very few settlements along our route, again the frequent offers of hospitality, friendship and water from complete strangers far outweighed the physical and mental demands of the challenge. Sharing a breakfast of chia and homemade cheese with a shepherd in remote Turkey and waking up in Cappadocia surrounded by hundreds of hot air balloons are experiences I will never forget.
Our journey hasn’t been without its tense moments though: a cracked bike frame and broken bottom bracket were thankfully issues that were resolved without causing too much delay to our Guinness World Records™️ title attempts. Being chased by dogs, dodging fierce thunderstorms and cycling in temperatures above +40°C have also tested our determination at times; although we have worked out that a quick squirt from a water bottle is an effective way to avoid getting a dog bite!
As I pedal around the planet, I’ve also been keen to keep my sweeping CPD up to date. The diversity of heating methods from ramshackle homemade flues and oil drum stoves to piles of dung drying as winter fuel have all been marvelled at – you don’t see that in Norfolk! The best example so far has to be an amazing potter in Turkey and his totally non compliant heating system – not too sure about his emissions but his pots were great!
Conversations with some of the locals have been rather interesting when I’ve tried to explain what my job is, in multiple languages and with actions to match! Eyes light up when they realise I’m a chimney sweep!
Both Josh and I would like to say a huge thank you to Lawson, Gav and all at the Guild for the encouragement and support in helping us fundraise for UNICEF and Bicycle Links, our local Norfolk charity. It means so much to us that countless others will benefit from that support. Donations are always gratefully received: https://www.justgiving.com/page/georgeandjoshpedaltheplanet
If you would like to find out more about our journey, please check out our regular updates on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok @joshpkohler and @georgemkohler. It would be great to have you along for the ride.
I can’t believe we are already a quarter of the way round the world; now we pedal on to China!
Watch their progress here:
George Kohler
