“Arguably, we have already cycled further on a tandem bike than any other couple. We are not 100% certain if that is true, but we have clocked over 100,000 kilometres on a tandem,” says Justin Scholz (51) in Asunción. Hard to verify, but one thing is certain: it is remarkable. Justin and Sharon Scholz, an Australian couple, are pedalling around the globe on a tandem bike. You read that correctly; together on a single bike. Since starting in May 2022, the couple aims to cover 200,000 kilometres in 10 years, and this month, they made it to Paraguay’s capital. This is the story about their tandem bicycle adventure.
Justin and Sharon’s trips to Paraguay
First time they came to Paraguay earlier this year, they entered from Formosa, Argentina. They then crossed the country from west to east, from its capital Asunción to Ciudad del Este. The couple has been to the waterfalls and then Brazil’s interior. Now, after coming back, they are only cycling in the Asunción Metropolitan Area.
Justin and Sharon have had the chance to try local food too, such as empanadas and mandioca. “It is lovely to experience. One of our favourite things is going to a different country and trying the food there. They do empanadas really well here. It is really nice to try,” Sharon (49) says.
When asked what they think of Paraguay, Justin replies: “It is certainly a very friendly place. The weather is great too. Last February, however, it was hot. there is not much pollution, and there are many plants and flowers.”
“Fresh produce here is great,” Sharon adds about the Paraguayan food. “Many countries we have been to have not had milk or fresh produce available.”
The beginning of their tandem-bicycle adventure
Their story began in 1989 when Justin and Sharon met. Sharon’s parents always took her to ballroom dancing events in the area. The two met at one of these dances and were very young at the time. From there, being at the same school, they became high school sweethearts and never parted.
At first, they were not passionate about sports as they are now. “We were unfit, unhealthy, and decided to have a health kick, which we both embraced, running to lose weight and gain fitness as quickly as possible,” Sharon says. “I was 30 when I started running, and he was 32.”
Justin: “Running led to cycling because we found cycling was very good for recovery. Cycling was only added to our fitness regime to support the running or walking at the back. It has obviously become something more, but initially, it was just to support the running at the back.”
When sports became more than a passion
Sharon represented Australia eight times in international ultramarathon competitions: five World Championships, two Commonwealth Championships, and one Asian Championships. In 2010, she was named the International Female Ultra Runner of the Year by the IAU – the International Ultramarathon Association.
Justin: “After the long-distance events we were doing, we decided when we were travelling to Europe or the United Kingdom or elsewhere for an event for Sharon, we would take our bicycles with us.”
In 2009, Sharon was running in the Commonwealth 24 Hours Championship in Keswick, Cumbria, United Kingdom. From Manchester, they cycled all the way to Rome, Italy, via the Netherlands and Austria, to name a few. Generally, most of these cycling trips were between 1,000 and 1,500 kilometres long.
The idea of cycling around the world…
“Approximately 12 or 13 years ago, we looked at each other and asked, do you think it would be possible to start cycling around the world? No, it was not a dream, it was not a goal, it was merely a question,” Justin says. “We gradually found that our life decisions began to change, and began to guide us in this direction where we might actually do that.
”The preparation began during the coronavirus pandemic. They were supposed to participate in a world-renowned walking event in Hungary, but Justin and Sharon cancelled everything. As an alternative, they decided to cycle all over Australia. The trip was 16,500 kilometres, in exactly six months.
Justin: “Within days of returning home from that ride, we were certain, yes, this is happening. Let us proceed. Let us complete our preparations and let us depart for an absolute maximum of ten years of cycling around the world. And that is where we are.”
In May 2022, Justin and Sharon Scholz took a plane from Melbourne, Australia, to Amsterdam, in the Netherlands to begin their tandem-bicycle adventure, cycling around the world. “We are doing it for our lifestyle,” Sharon says.
How to plan, and fund such a trip?
Talking about finance and money is not for everyone, but Justin answers openly. “I have always been fairly driven and had a desire to excel in a career. I worked my way through a number of different jobs and various industries. Sharon and I always live well within our means. We do not spend anywhere near as much money as we could. All of those savings are essentially invested in the Australian stock market by me.”
As for planning: “The initial agreement was, very well, let us make this a maximum of 10 years and we essentially draw a line around the world as best we can.” Google Maps is a great ally. That is how they plan a 10-year trip of approximately 200,000 kilometres. And they are mostly on the path to what they had set at the beginning.
“It is funny; I enjoy the planning and the administration and seeing the execution of the plans that we have put together. I enjoy that much more than the actual cycling on the bike. Cycling provides me the opportunity to do the planning and the administration. We put the plans together and it all comes to fruition,” Justin says.
Covering approximately 20,000 kilometres per year, they aim for 60,000 after three years. In this time, they have completed 61,000. Now, after three years and three months, they are close to 67,000 kilometres.
How safe is cycling around the world?
Justin and Sharon speak English and a small amount of Spanish. They cycle on different continents in environments where languages other than English are spoken, but the couple hardly ever encounters issues. Google Translate proves to be a valuable ally.
Justin: “We have overwhelmingly found that the people of the world are good people. And because we cycle on a tandem bike, we are immediately disarming. We are also particularly friendly and open. Sharon’s parents were quite worried for us as we planned to cycle through Sudan. They genuinely thought we would be killed.”
“It was simply incredible to be cycling along,” Sharon adds. “Suddenly, we meet children. They see this double-headed bicycle, which is entirely different from what they expect. They are quite excited. That is a positive feeling for us. It is a moment of joy that you have brought to someone else’s life. It is pleasant to do that.”
Places Justin and Sharon enjoy
On their tandem-bicycle adventure, they enjoyed Ethiopia, renowned for its coffee. Argentina, known for its beef and red wine. They also relish their time in Cairo, Egypt, where they cycled for 10 days with Jimmy, a 22-year-old from Australia. Justin and Sharon also met good friends in Luxembourg and Paraguay. Lastly, they formed strong connections with Sudanese children and their families.
What is next?
Justin and Sharon plan to take a plane to Canada, to reach the westernmost city of Vancouver, British Columbia. They intend to explore parts of the Rockies and prairies, before heading south to the United States’ Midwest to reach Las Vegas.
To conclude, Justin adds: “Be curious, create a plan, aim for something. It does not matter what it is, simply proceed and target something. You will likely find that your life will be enriched by that, rather than merely making the next decision now.”
They have visited 43 countries so far, and they eagerly anticipate the next ones.
Find Justin Scholz on Facebook and Sharon Scholz on Facebook to follow their journey!
