Ian Hibell - clocked up more than 250,000 miles in 40 years.*

Pedalling the World

By Robert Harland

Ian Hibell, a legendary British long-distance cyclist, was killed recently after being struck by a hit-and-run driver in Greece. He was 74.

He was one of the greats of cycling and famous for traveling the world on his bike almost non-stop for the past 40 years.

In 1963 Hibell left his job never to return. Over the next 40 years he clocked up more than 250,000 miles - equivalent to ten times around the equator.

Ian Hibell: world-renowned ‘cyclotourist’

He epitomized what it means to be a trailblazer and many of his expeditions were ‘firsts’. He became the first man to cycle the Darien Gap in Panama, and the first to cycle from the top to the bottom of the American continent. He went from Norway to the Cape of Good Hope and from Bangkok to Vladivostok, wheeling or walking every inch of the way.

His bicycle was always loaded with some 40 kilos of clothing, a tent, stove, food and water and this sometimes made the going tough. His bike sank into the fine sand of the Sahara and he had problems squeezing the bike through the dense Amazon. And the bike frequently sank during his crossing the great Atrato swamp.

Hibell in Indonesia: when he visited Komodo island to see its dragon lizards, he caught a near-fatal dose of malaria.*

Yet this world-renowned ‘cyclotourist’ loved his bikes. He was known to take them covered in mud into hotel rooms with him, and he clung fiercely to them whenever tribesmen robbed him of the rest of his things.

In his 1984 book, ‘Into the Remote Places’ (1984), he said his bike was a companion and a friend, adding that setting off in the morning light with “the quiet hum of the wheels, the creak of strap against load, the clink of something in the pannier”, was “delicious”.

Hibell was cycling from Britain to Greece on what he called a ‘training trip’ for a journey to Tibet when he was hit by a car allegedly racing with another. He was just 17 km from the capital Athens. He died on the spot.

The license plate of the car involved was taken by witnesses and the driver was arrested two hours later.

When news of his death was announced, tributes to this daredevil tourer poured in from cycle fans around the world. There were also calls for his book, ‘Into the Remote Places’, to be re-printed as a posthumous tribute.*

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‘Design Your Own MassKara Slippers’ Winner Bared

Oliver Jereos of Bacolod City was adjudged grand winner of the “Design Your Own MassKara Slippers” Contest receiving one DAEWOO Hot and Cold Water Dispenser and a gift pack. Jereos bested 19 other participants who joined the contest.

Nenita Jereos and Lovelie Joyce Calzado placed first and second runners-up, respectively while Chingbe Navales ranked 3rd runner-up followed by Carla Beatrice Hojilla as the 4th runner-up. Each of them took home a gift pack and certificate of appreciation.

SM Department Store Bacolod spearheaded by Shoes Group had organized the contest in celebration of the 29th MassKara Festival. Participants joined the contest by presenting a P500 official receipt as proof of purchase from Shoes Departments, Kultura and Supplies Station inclusive of one slipper as official entry.

Judges of the said event were Homeworld Senior Manager, Ms. Macy Armada; SCMC Public Relations Officer, Ms. Lorena Martinez and SCMC Visual Display Officer, Ms. Dorothy Velez. Judging was not made easy since all entries were masterpieces of different sorts marking Bacolodnon’s inclination on smart craftsmanship and remarkable ingenuity.*