Objective : To raise money for room/board/food/shelter/traveling expenses plus airfare
For what? : A three month cycling trek across the U.K. and Europe
How much? : $6,000, this includes airfare, ferries, lodging (although I’ll camp most of the time), food, entry fees, gear for my journey (also to consider is the poor currency Dollar-to-Euro/Pound exchange rate)
Goal : To collect as many library cards as that I can across the U.K. and mainland Europe
Who Am I?
My name is Bill, I’m a 31 year old single traveler who will receive a MLIS, this means that I will soon be a certified Librarian! I’m looking for funding, sponsorship or support for an 11 week cycling trip across both the UK and mainland Europe. Why 11 weeks? According to EU law, you cannot stay longer than 3 months at any given time.
Experience;
I have completed a small six day bicycle trip in Germany (following both the Neckar and Rhine rivers), I also rode the Great Allegheny Passage from Pittsburgh to Wash D.C. I also have experience traveling in Europe; So far, I have traveled England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Czech Republic and Belgium. My goal is to visit Italy, France and several of the Eastern European and Scandinavian countries, what better way than on a bicycle?
Goal;
My goal is to visit each country along the way, visit their city’s/town’s public libraries and obtain as many library cards as possible. I'm interested the history, architecture and diversity of public libraries. As a former history major and current librarian, I feel a sense of adventure and mystery involved. Photos will accompany my blog postings as well as my travelogues which will information about the libraries that I visit along the way!
Why Am I doing this?
Marco Polo, Herodotus, Captain Cook, Chaucer's character's, medieval pilgrims - whether the reasons are religious, excitement or just curiosity, everyone has there own motives for travel. Mine is simple; I love Europe, long distance bike rides and libraries. I also love learning different customs, marvelling at historic architecture and witnessing natural beauty. Europe has an extensive amount of cycle trails leading to some of Europe's most important destinations - These path often crisscross, which will allow me to travel extensively throughout the networks on my bicycle. This is also a personal reward to myself for holding a full time job while working hard to obtain my Master's degree...
This is a good cause and will result in a introspective and interesting learning experience memorable photographs, great travel stories and, ahem, Library Cards! If you find it in your heart to donate, I will be extremely thankful. If you also admire risk takers, adventurers, bicycles, travel stories, libraries, photographs and architecture then you’ll be pleased knowing that you helped a shared friend of the cause.
The way I roll;
Living a nomadic lifestyle, I will travel light with tent/sleeping bag in check. There will be times when I will indeed, treat myself to a hostel. Food will be a mixture of pub grub, cheaper restaurants and groceries - However, I will not deny myself a good dinner from time to time, because I feel that an opportunity to taste local cuisine should not be passed up. Miscellaneous travel expenses such as trains (If I need to), entrance fees, ferries, bicycle repair and anything else that can (and will) pop up will be added to my final estimate. I'm a simple guy who finds comfort and joy in the simplistic ways of life.
Final Word;
This once in a lifetime opportunity can only be accomplished with the help of empathetic, supporting and generous individuals. Please help me out with as little or as much as you would like. Do not forget to leave your name and email address, if you would like, so I can personally thank you and let you know of my journey. Below is a link to my Paypal account
All the thanks in the world!
-Bill
If you are worried that this is a scam – it’s not. I’m just an individual in need of your support, want to be sure? Contact the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, at 4400 Forbes Ave. in Pittsburgh, PA 412.622.3114
and ask for Bill Vrabel, or email me at wav9@pitt.edu
Don not have a paypal account, but wish to donate? Contact me at the email address above.
Do not forget to visit my Blog regularly for updates on planning my trip. Furthermore If you have any advice on traveling Europe by bicycle, please leave it in a blog reply or email.
http://thenomadiclibrarian.blogspot.com/
Places I wish to Travel;
Orkney/Shetland Islands
John O Groats in Scotland all the way to Dover, England with a multi-day stop in London (my favorite city)
Path along the Danube
Vienna
Tuscany, Italy
Rome, Italy
Eastern Europe
