I did this route in 2007-2009. Cycled from Vancouver to Prudhoe Bay, then south to Salt Lake City. Then bought a motorcycle and continued south to Ushuaia. Travelled 66 000 km, so managed to see a lot more of each country. After that I hitched a ride on an expedition ship to Antarctica, South Georgia, Falklands, Terra del Fuego and Cape Town. Then rode to Cairo. A highlight of my 55 years, a memory to last forever.
It wasn't planed. I just wanted a little break and got swallowed by this 4 parts trip. I loved everything about it : the pace, the tone, the photography, the modesty. A youtube masterpiece.
Martijn, I watched this whole series breathlessly and stunned by its beauty. But if there is one thing I admire more than its technical brilliance, its quiet intensity, or its plainly meditative atmosphere, it is the beauty of your mind - your will, your endurance, your capacity to feel joy under difficult circumstances. If you're not Siddharta Gautama, I guess you must be one of his bodhisattvas. Well, take the latter with a grain of salt. But: kudos!
"If you do nothing today - tomorrow will be exactly the same" - words to live by and a perfect summary to this amazing series. Truly stunned by how you were able to record this journey and to share it with viewers with such high quality.
Martijn, this is a masterpiece! Your ability to weave an immersive narrative that enhances an already superb videography is second only to your determination.
The production value of this film is insane, let alone the fact that it was done by just one person on a bike. The logistics and the day-to-day tasks of traveling on a bike are incredibly complex, I cannot imagine how is it if you're filming a documentary at the same time.
I literally have no words. This is an out of this world video. The physical, and perhaps even more, the mental fortitude to cross these vast expanses alone like the salt flats in Bolivia is simply mind boggling. I am so enjoying going through your two books but these videos are on another level.
Selfishly, I sort of wished you’d cycled round the world. I could have shut the doors, drawn the curtains and binged on this series for hours on end. Thank you for producing such a beautiful thing.
i rarely comment on youtube but I just wanted to say thank you for these four outstanding pieces of art. It really inspired me and moved me on a deep level.
Martijn, this bike adventure was beautiful and exciting! I always waited impatiently for the next part! You have the kind of gift that you strive to tell everything as you really feel... from one individual to another, without unnecessary ambiguity. You repeatedly told how the transition from the hustle and bustle of the cities to the loneliness of the deserts created a paradoxical state of mind in which you simultaneously experienced great, grand desolation and, on the other hand, wanted urgently to arrive at the next civilization. This was very interesting to me because I have personally experienced something of the same in my life. Only now, at 65, I am realizing something essential: we have been thrown into the world alone. Each of us lives in our own universe that others have no chance to access. But only from time to time, being in the wilderness with nobody else than our own universe, we become aware of it. And this is just mindblowing. In everyday life we may lose this fundamental state of affairs because we have an illusion about shared, objective reality. Contrary to what might be expected, facing this reality of loneliness is very relieving. It doesn’t set us apart from other people, quite the opposite: it unites us because we have this tremendous privilege of being able to communicate with each other trough little windows of our senses. Which windows are more or less dim, to be honest. Anyway, other people are crucial, not because we are in the same boat, but because we are not in the same boat. Thank you again of your great communication, Martijn!
@@davidjones500 Great! So far I have met only very few people who understand what I mean by a person's fundamental loneliness. Consciousness is a very, very, very subjective process. We watch, hear, feel and smell differently, focus on different things, remember different things. Our personal histories, characters and feelings are completely unique, as well as how we experience our own existence, mortality e.t.c. All this affects how we see reality, because we project our own desires, visions, memories, atmospheres and feelings into it. I think that our perception of reality is much more our own story than something objective, acceptable pure reality. We hardly notice how thoroughly all we see (human beings, houses, trees, mountains, flowers, animals, trains, streets e.t.c.) is coated / saturated by our own significations. If we could momentarily see the world through another person’s eyes, we would be amazed. But we can't. We are born alone and we die alone. Even between them we are alone even if we may imagine something else. Actually, the experience of loneliness should not be a personal disaster but instead a wonderful, miraculous and fruitful foundation to our existence - every now and then with other people, too. Sometimes it is more pleasant to be alone together than alone alone.
@@hannutuomela3444 Your text is amazing! thanks for sharing. A botanic see a tree in one way, an artist on another. Someone who lives in a desert see a tree like a miracle, and who lives in Amazonic forest see a snowflake like a miracle. As you said, our own significations limits us, and another person expand us. Thanks for opening some windows here! ♥
If your lucky you run into a really great and smart person. Someone who you get up early in the morning to go to work with. You work hard and in a couple of weeks you notice you are stronger and happier. Not a crazy person. I've worked with them too and crashed and burned.(briefly, and recovered). I'm not worthy of commenting on this man's accomplishments. I would have quite at .001. This guy overcame a hundred awful situations but fouond himself in heaven a few times. Hats off to him and the guy I knew who made work fun.
If only programmes on UK TV were this interesting and well filmed. I've been looking forward to this so much. Thank you for this ray of sunshine in these troubled days. X
Thirty two years ago I cycled from the UK down through France to Italy. After watching this four part series I feel the need to go out and get another bike and have a similar adventure again. This whole series has been the best thing I’ve ever seen on TH-cam.!! An absolute fantastically, inspiring and beautiful production.!! Thank you for sharing such a wonderful masterpiece🙏
"You do something scary today, you get creative, and tomorrow you'll be inspired, and you'll find solutions." What a great quote! I didn't realize until now that I lived my life that way as well. And what a wonderful life it has been!
TH-cam Series of the year by a long shot. Thank you so much for giving us this Martijn. God bless you and I think I can say for everyone that we are excited to see the progress on your life in Italy as well! Well done.
No todo le salio bien y invirtiendo tanto dinero Mi opinión q se vaya de ahí no es sitio para el;Vende y vete ahí no vas a progresar y estas muy solo Uy
My wife and I stumbled across your channel describing your journey to restore the beautiful stone cottages in the Italian Alps. We gave up on commercial TV long ago and are almost exclusively consumers of TH-cam channels. This is an eye opening chapter of your life journey that provides great insight into your current work in restoring the stone cottages. We have been following another of your fellow citizens for quite some time now. She has been riding an off road motorcycle around the world and we have become enthralled with her journey's of discovery through the Americas, Asia, and Africa.
That's pretty much our story also, no terrestrial TV and life is the better for it. Up to date with the stone barn conversions, so delved back and are now watching this. Quite incredible filming and production. Big thumbs up!
My book just arrived and I’m blown away by the content! Martijn is a gifted photographer, graphic designer, storyteller and adventurer! An epic journey chronicled in a large “coffee table style” book. I’ve been a professional photographer for more than 50 years and I can attest Martijn’s ability to capture a scene is second to none. I’ve quickly perused the hundreds of pages of images and only just scratched the surface of reading the stories. I’ll enjoy hours of leisurely reading as the writer takes me on a journey from Vancouver to Patagonia. I encourage Martijn’s YT subscribers to support him through the purchase of this epic book. Peace be with you.
it is still unbelievable that someone can make such a ride over such a long distance and period of time, so much barriers, hot sun, tons of rain and snow... i am sitting here in a warm comfortable room an my lower jaw falls on my desk watching this film.
WOW what a trip, I think you have made everyone think more about their life and where they are heading, or should I say want to head, I hope to meet you one day Martijn.
Absolutely stunning journey. Thanks so much for sharing it. One moment stood out for me. When you crossed the stream in the cold & wet ... then recrossed to get your camera. Wow. That brought home to me the commitment not only to yourself, but to us - your viewers. That is that I'm most thankful for. You are an amazing human.
Initially found Martjins channel through this adventure but got so engaged in the house renovation project I had forgot about the final episode of this series.
Loved this series man! It really inspired me to do something similar (but on a smaller scale for now hahah). And btw I can't imagine how tough it must have been to ride under all that rain and snow. Wishing you all the best for the next chapter!
This four part series is an absolute masterpiece in storytelling. Unbelievable views, amazing experiences thank you for sharing this journey and your wisdom with the world.
Martijn, rewatching this 2 years later had me quite emotional once again. There's still that longing deep inside for an epic adventure that I can't figure out how to get rid off. I have traveled every winter but I've come to realize that it's not enough anymore, I need to feel alive. Thank you for making this wonderful story, I'll make my own!
Gracias Martin por darme la oportunidad de ver las maravillas del mundo a traves de tus ojos tus imágenes son realmente profesionales, a mis 67 años disfruto de tu trabajo GRACIAS.
It is beyond remarkable: your determination, your sense of beauty, your honest story telling. One special soul. So glad you accomplished your mighty goal. Thank you for sharing.
I have no words Martijn, I haven`t seen anything better than this. Watching your videography literally glued me on a chair breathlessly. You are an excellent narrator. What you have accomplished and experienced during your bike journey was pure beauty. Huge kudos :). I will have to watch it all over again.
Dear Martijn, you are a real hero for me. You live the life I dream of, but my commitments keep me from. Children, wife, house, garden and an office job cannot simply be ended. But, at some point I decided to do that and when I was young I thought it was all right. Your last part of the series is amazing, so soulful! Bolivia is breathtaking, the colors, the sky, the vastness - unbelievable!!! I read your book at home and have since read it too. Now watching the video and connecting it to the wonderful texts from your book is a great experience. Thank you for your great, open and honest account of your journey - you have enriched my life with it. THANK YOU Martijn!
Thank you Martijn. Your storytelling and poetic descriptions make this series worth watching over and over. I have enjoyed every minute of it. I sincerely thank you!
I've never felt so sad to see a documentary come to and end. Superb doesn't come close to describing how amazing and inspiring this has been. Thank you.
I'm lost for words, all four episodes are just pieces of art. It feels like we're literally travelling with you, sharing your feelings, somehow experiencing icy silence and loneliness, but also joy and a sense of achievement. I've always been in love with cycling and travelling, and this is by far the greatest film I've ever seen about these passions. Just thank you for sharing your journey, it's been just amazing watching it, I can hardly imagine what's been like to fully experience it.
I was looking for a touring/hybrid bike and stumbled across your amazing adventure. It reminded me of a National Geographic Documentary. The images, videography, music and oral presentation fully captivate your audience. As said, what an amazing two year journey.
Marvelous journey! All respect for your bravery to trust your heart and to show us the wonders of this world. Thanks for that. Yet I wonder, by all that enormous space, have not noticed that the world is flat, not a globe as they falsely thought us in school.
Martijn, this has been such a pleasure watching your journey. Thanks for the honest words and the amazing pictures you brought back. It's very inspiring and I thoroughly enjoyed watching every episode. I also catched up on "one year on a bike" and am looking forward to more updates from your new home in Italy. Glad I found your channel a few months back. Keep it up and all the best for you!
Ich bin Österreicherin und Du bist einzigartig, wunderschöne Muter Erde . Danke Danke . Ich liebe Deine Videos in den Bergen von Italien, wo Du Dein zu Hause renovierst. Herzlichen Dank für so viel Kreativität . Das Brot backen so viel Geduld . Ich freue mich immer auf was neues. Herzliche grüße aus den Salzkammergut.💛💛💛💛
The film is the perfect companion to the book - both are stunning, a work of art yet each piece articulates your journey in different ways. The words in your book, immerse me into your journey and my mind recreates your experience while the film paints your journey in all its glory and challenges. Your newest project with the cottage is a natural extension of your bike journey. Bravo!!!!!
This entire series can only be classified as a masterpiece; storytelling at its finest. Thank you for sharing. Your comments toward the end have been my mantra, too.
This series and your way of telling about your life in the cabin and on your bike journey have been the best and most needed I've seen, maybe ever. You've inspired me to start thinking about embarking on something similar after having spent the past 15 odd years mostly going nowhere, working as a software dev. It may sound extreme but just from plowing your videos over the past week, I feel for the first time in my life that I have something I want to work towards and to plan for - something to look forward to! Suddenly, smoking actually seems like a bad idea instead of just a stupid and wasteful fast-ticket towards the end. What a gift, I'm in tears! Your first book now sits waiting for me at my local post office. Much love and many thanks!
Dear Martijin ,my husband and I ,both in our 70's just finished watching the whole series, .. thank you so much for sharing your incredible bike journey... truly we were in awe of everything .. of the incredible beauty , your pushing through and moving on in some extremely hard and difficult places,situations , physical and mental .. so thankful to get to somewhat experience it through your sharing ... Then at last what a joy it must have been for you to reach family and home .. .... it was all so incredible and beautiful .....
You are a blessed man. Thank you for sharing your life story. Stay well. I look forward to your current life chapter in Italy. You are located very close to a holy man with experience on your current “path”; another blessing. Namasté
Martijn, I spent several mornings reading your book while enjoying my coffee in the warmth of my home, imagining how difficult and how rewarding your journey must have been. I own many photobooks and yours is my favorite. It is truly a work of art, as are these films you've made. I just wanted to say thank you for sharing so much of yourself.
Wow!!!! Absolutely incredible, stunning!!! You must have such strength of character as well as physical stamina to complete such a “journey”.. Your filming, picture taking and choice of music to accompany the scenery throughout is just outstanding, you truly have brought me out of this world and into your own experience…so many highs, the tough physical challenges of the different terrains…I was completely transported…wow wow wow!!!
Martinijin ,That journey was amazing!! I felt I was there with you , can’t imagine how many ups and downs your emotions must’ve been . You must have the best Guardian angel . Thank you for bringing us along . 👍👌😇
I came across you when you started your Italian property renovation/rebuild. I really enjoy it, the adventure, the scenery, the methodical way you go about it and the excellent way you put together the videos with such clever narrative. And then I saw this "Two years on a bike" series. Which blew me away. At the back of my mind all the way through was "why didn't I have the balls to do something like that when I was young enough to do so"! Your photographic/videographic skills are amazing as is your strength and determination to keep going when things get tough. Thank you for taking me places I'd never heard of. And huge congratulations on completing your adventure.
Martijn, I tip my hat to you. Amazing. Just amazing. I'm blown away. Your advice about daring to try things and one path leading to another at the end was so timely and perfect. You are truly living my friend. What a great experience. Thank you so much for sharing it with us all. Inspiring! 💖
I was so sad when you said this was the end of this brilliant, unbelievable, amazing journey. What privilege it was to watch these four videos. Thank you Martijn for sharing your adventure, life and your spirit!
Martijn, I immensely enjoyed your 4 videos about your bike journey. This last video was crazy what you went through with the weather, and more challenges. You were always so calm and composed. Such great character. Photos and video are so great too. Thanks so much.
What an amazingly beautiful vlog. Makes you realise just how insignificant we are in this world. A tiny dot in an huge expanse of salt lake, yet even that salt lake is a tiny dot in the world. Thank you for taking us along with you on this epic journey and crossing flooded rivers not once, but twice to retreive your camera, is going above and beyond.
What an experience! There are only a handful of people on this earth that can say they have ever done this and you are one of them. That’s one hell of an accomplishment and the fact that you are able to tell this story in my opinion makes you one of the most interesting people out there. Super inspiring and has definitely helped blossom some new ideas/adventures to add to my bucket list.
Amazing journey. This is an incredible adventure in one's life. Thank you for sharing it, I'd never been able to see that part of the world myself. Wonderland.
Anyone knows how to get this nominated for Oscar? This is a masterpiece. The adventures itself is hard, with video and photo shooting, it makes the whole adventure even more difficult!
A true epic Martijn. I need to tell you before I leave this video, that I found this series so inspiring. I have had some great adventures in my life (I'm 25) but after working in a city job I'm beginning to feel encumbered and lost. Every episode I felt your emotions, felt your passion, felt your intensity. You revere the world and revere life. Thank you for reminding me how it feels to be in awe of life. You're a special man.
My deepest gratitude to you Martijn for this four part series. It’s been utterly divine to watch and often times experience with you. Those salt lakes!! That rain. Those rivers. The cold. The mind wanting to be there and at same time wanting it to be over. Those many times of utter utter silence and not a soul to be seen. I admire your courage, perseverance and, I can only imagine….your deep love of being alive Thank you 💜🙏💜
Incredible journey. Thank you to take us with you to those amazing landscapes. One word to describe how great your camera work and editing are. Stunning!!!
This series - the beauty, the challenges, the learning, the life reflections' the realization that such a journey really never ends in your mind ......and such a beautiful work of story telling.
This was an absolutely beautiful series to watch. Not much else I can add to everything else that's been said in the comments. Thank you for sharing your journey with all of us here and within your books. In addition to your photography and videography skills, you're a gifted storyteller. This was a great ending to a great series, but I must admit I'm sad it's over! Keep on crushing it!
Fabulous, very interesting kind of understated ending. Almost a perfect declaration of how life can be. Fantastic things don’t have to end with a bang like a movie. Well done.
Dear Martjin, I'm having this video in the background while I work on my research proposal. As a Bolivian-born raised in Europe, one of my biggest dreams is to bike throughout South America, and you don't know how inspiring and firing this video is. Thank you, Martjin.
To be one with, completely immersed, and at the mercy of the environment in this way is beyond brave. It’s human. It’s presence. It’s being here, now. This man can say he truly travelled the earth. What his eyes have seen. What he has smelled, touched. An intimate encounter with nature itself. One can only but dream. 💚
An immensely inspiring journey and beautiful photography and filmmaking, even in the most extreme environments - an excellent series, can't wait to get the book!
OMG, just Beautiful...Not sure if I could do this. What I do know is that having an open mind and refraining from complaining helped you push through. Our mind tends to go weak to "protect" us...but my Hats are off to you, and you made it!!... Thank you for sharing, Martijn
Just ordered the book. It will be wonderful to page through after following your journey through video. Enjoyed it so much. Also your videos on building your cabins in Italy. Wonderful images and heartfelt narration. Pleasure to witness. Thank you from Victoria Canada. All the best on your future endeavours.
![BOWKYLION - วิงวอน (ex-change) [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/cLdnZWDaO-w/mqdefault.jpg)
I did this route in 2007-2009. Cycled from Vancouver to Prudhoe Bay, then south to Salt Lake City. Then bought a motorcycle and continued south to Ushuaia. Travelled 66 000 km, so managed to see a lot more of each country. After that I hitched a ride on an expedition ship to Antarctica, South Georgia, Falklands, Terra del Fuego and Cape Town. Then rode to Cairo. A highlight of my 55 years, a memory to last forever.
It wasn't planed. I just wanted a little break and got swallowed by this 4 parts trip. I loved everything about it : the pace, the tone, the photography, the modesty. A youtube masterpiece.
Martijn, I watched this whole series breathlessly and stunned by its beauty. But if there is one thing I admire more than its technical brilliance, its quiet intensity, or its plainly meditative atmosphere, it is the beauty of your mind - your will, your endurance, your capacity to feel joy under difficult circumstances. If you're not Siddharta Gautama, I guess you must be one of his bodhisattvas. Well, take the latter with a grain of salt. But: kudos!
Beautifully said :)
Thanks for writing that; it is quite complete and saves me struggling to say the same thing. I so agree with all of it.
Thomas ...so well said .....thank you !!
What a beautiful video! Perfectly said. I agree with all of it. Thanks!
Agreed and could not have said (written) it better myself. 💜
"If you do nothing today - tomorrow will be exactly the same" - words to live by and a perfect summary to this amazing series. Truly stunned by how you were able to record this journey and to share it with viewers with such high quality.
This sentence was very moving for me too, well said
Wow....eye opener words
I just watched this video today and this quote also immediately struck me. So true and very inspring! Thank you Martijn!
Yes, wonderful words....
Martijn, this is a masterpiece! Your ability to weave an immersive narrative that enhances an already superb videography is second only to your determination.
Such facts 🙏❤️ it’s absolutely incredible. Would LOVE to have this 4 part series on a disk/movie lol
Totally agree. A masterpiece!
Perfectly put by Carlos.
he is just a crazy white man
The production value of this film is insane, let alone the fact that it was done by just one person on a bike. The logistics and the day-to-day tasks of traveling on a bike are incredibly complex, I cannot imagine how is it if you're filming a documentary at the same time.
For me, nothing more to say than this comment. Big big thanks ✌✌✌
Without a shadow of a doubt! One of the best comments!
Amazing achievement
I literally have no words. This is an out of this world video. The physical, and perhaps even more, the mental fortitude to cross these vast expanses alone like the salt flats in Bolivia is simply mind boggling. I am so enjoying going through your two books but these videos are on another level.
Selfishly, I sort of wished you’d cycled round the world. I could have shut the doors, drawn the curtains and binged on this series for hours on end. Thank you for producing such a beautiful thing.
A masterpiece of story telling and videography. This blew my mind.
i rarely comment on youtube but I just wanted to say thank you for these four outstanding pieces of art. It really inspired me and moved me on a deep level.
Martijn, this bike adventure was beautiful and exciting! I always waited impatiently for the next part! You have the kind of gift that you strive to tell everything as you really feel... from one individual to another, without unnecessary ambiguity. You repeatedly told how the transition from the hustle and bustle of the cities to the loneliness of the deserts created a paradoxical state of mind in which you simultaneously experienced great, grand desolation and, on the other hand, wanted urgently to arrive at the next civilization. This was very interesting to me because I have personally experienced something of the same in my life. Only now, at 65, I am realizing something essential: we have been thrown into the world alone. Each of us lives in our own universe that others have no chance to access. But only from time to time, being in the wilderness with nobody else than our own universe, we become aware of it. And this is just mindblowing. In everyday life we may lose this fundamental state of affairs because we have an illusion about shared, objective reality. Contrary to what might be expected, facing this reality of loneliness is very relieving. It doesn’t set us apart from other people, quite the opposite: it unites us because we have this tremendous privilege of being able to communicate with each other trough little windows of our senses. Which windows are more or less dim, to be honest. Anyway, other people are crucial, not because we are in the same boat, but because we are not in the same boat. Thank you again of your great communication, Martijn!
Beautifully written.
We all live alone in our completely subjective reality, that no one else can ever truly know? How strange, I thought the same thing!
@@davidjones500 Great! So far I have met only very few people who understand what I mean by a person's fundamental loneliness. Consciousness is a very, very, very subjective process. We watch, hear, feel and smell differently, focus on different things, remember different things. Our personal histories, characters and feelings are completely unique, as well as how we experience our own existence, mortality e.t.c. All this affects how we see reality, because we project our own desires, visions, memories, atmospheres and feelings into it. I think that our perception of reality is much more our own story than something objective, acceptable pure reality. We hardly notice how thoroughly all we see (human beings, houses, trees, mountains, flowers, animals, trains, streets e.t.c.) is coated / saturated by our own significations. If we could momentarily see the world through another person’s eyes, we would be amazed. But we can't. We are born alone and we die alone. Even between them we are alone even if we may imagine something else. Actually, the experience of loneliness should not be a personal disaster but instead a wonderful, miraculous and fruitful foundation to our existence - every now and then with other people, too. Sometimes it is more pleasant to be alone together than alone alone.
Well said Hannu.
@@hannutuomela3444 Your text is amazing! thanks for sharing.
A botanic see a tree in one way, an artist on another. Someone who lives in a desert see a tree like a miracle, and who lives in Amazonic forest see a snowflake like a miracle. As you said, our own significations limits us, and another person expand us. Thanks for opening some windows here! ♥
If your lucky you run into a really great and smart person. Someone who you get up early in the morning to go to work with. You work hard and in a couple of weeks you notice you are stronger and happier. Not a crazy person. I've worked with them too and crashed and burned.(briefly, and recovered). I'm not worthy of commenting on this man's accomplishments. I would have quite at .001. This guy overcame a hundred awful situations but fouond himself in heaven a few times. Hats off to him and the guy I knew who made work fun.
If only programmes on UK TV were this interesting and well filmed. I've been looking forward to this so much. Thank you for this ray of sunshine in these troubled days. X
Agreed
Been keeping me happy and sane out in California..at least til the water runs out :-(
Who watches TV.....TH-cam is much better
Thirty two years ago I cycled from the UK down through France to Italy. After watching this four part series I feel the need to go out and get another bike and have a similar adventure again. This whole series has been the best thing I’ve ever seen on TH-cam.!! An absolute fantastically, inspiring and beautiful production.!! Thank you for sharing such a wonderful masterpiece🙏
"You do something scary today, you get creative, and tomorrow you'll be inspired, and you'll find solutions." What a great quote! I didn't realize until now that I lived my life that way as well. And what a wonderful life it has been!
the use of drones in these 4 videos is phenomenal!
TH-cam Series of the year by a long shot. Thank you so much for giving us this Martijn. God bless you and I think I can say for everyone that we are excited to see the progress on your life in Italy as well! Well done.
No todo le salio bien y invirtiendo tanto dinero
Mi opinión q se vaya de ahí no es sitio para el;Vende y vete ahí no vas a progresar y estas muy solo
Uy
My wife and I stumbled across your channel describing your journey to restore the beautiful stone cottages in the Italian Alps. We gave up on commercial TV long ago and are almost exclusively consumers of TH-cam channels. This is an eye opening chapter of your life journey that provides great insight into your current work in restoring the stone cottages. We have been following another of your fellow citizens for quite some time now. She has been riding an off road motorcycle around the world and we have become enthralled with her journey's of discovery through the Americas, Asia, and Africa.
That's pretty much our story also, no terrestrial TV and life is the better for it. Up to date with the stone barn conversions, so delved back and are now watching this. Quite incredible filming and production. Big thumbs up!
My book just arrived and I’m blown away by the content! Martijn is a gifted photographer, graphic designer, storyteller and adventurer! An epic journey chronicled in a large “coffee table style” book. I’ve been a professional photographer for more than 50 years and I can attest Martijn’s ability to capture a scene is second to none. I’ve quickly perused the hundreds of pages of images and only just scratched the surface of reading the stories. I’ll enjoy hours of leisurely reading as the writer takes me on a journey from Vancouver to Patagonia. I encourage Martijn’s YT subscribers to support him through the purchase of this epic book. Peace be with you.
it is still unbelievable that someone can make such a ride over such a long distance and period of time, so much barriers, hot sun, tons of rain and snow... i am sitting here in a warm comfortable room an my lower jaw falls on my desk watching this film.
WOW what a trip, I think you have made everyone think more about their life and where they are heading, or should I say want to head,
I hope to meet you one day Martijn.
Fantastic photo and narration so natural and magical
Absolutely stunning journey. Thanks so much for sharing it. One moment stood out for me. When you crossed the stream in the cold & wet ... then recrossed to get your camera. Wow. That brought home to me the commitment not only to yourself, but to us - your viewers. That is that I'm most thankful for. You are an amazing human.
One of the most inspiring bicycle stories ever told. Thank you!
Initially found Martjins channel through this adventure but got so engaged in the house renovation project I had forgot about the final episode of this series.
Exactly with me as well
This is exactly what happened to me!
Dear Martijn, you absolutely possess the "Mind of a Finisher"
Loved this series man! It really inspired me to do something similar (but on a smaller scale for now hahah). And btw I can't imagine how tough it must have been to ride under all that rain and snow. Wishing you all the best for the next chapter!
This four part series is an absolute masterpiece in storytelling. Unbelievable views, amazing experiences thank you for sharing this journey and your wisdom with the world.
Martijn, you are the Van Gogh of TH-cam documentaries.......as I sit here in my chair with tears at the end
Martijn, rewatching this 2 years later had me quite emotional once again. There's still that longing deep inside for an epic adventure that I can't figure out how to get rid off. I have traveled every winter but I've come to realize that it's not enough anymore, I need to feel alive. Thank you for making this wonderful story, I'll make my own!
Adore the psychological description in this segment. Superb, as always
Gracias Martin por darme la oportunidad de ver las maravillas del mundo a traves de tus ojos tus imágenes son realmente profesionales, a mis 67 años disfruto de tu trabajo GRACIAS.
It is beyond remarkable: your determination, your sense of beauty, your honest story telling. One special soul. So glad you accomplished your mighty goal. Thank you for sharing.
I have no words Martijn, I haven`t seen anything better than this. Watching your videography literally glued me on a chair breathlessly. You are an excellent narrator. What you have accomplished and experienced during your bike journey was pure beauty. Huge kudos :). I will have to watch it all over again.
Truly one of the very best travel documentaries ever made!
Dear Martijn, you are a real hero for me. You live the life I dream of, but my commitments keep me from. Children, wife, house, garden and an office job cannot simply be ended. But, at some point I decided to do that and when I was young I thought it was all right.
Your last part of the series is amazing, so soulful! Bolivia is breathtaking, the colors, the sky, the vastness - unbelievable!!!
I read your book at home and have since read it too. Now watching the video and connecting it to the wonderful texts from your book is a great experience. Thank you for your great, open and honest account of your journey - you have enriched my life with it.
THANK YOU Martijn!
Thank you Martijn. Your storytelling and poetic descriptions make this series worth watching over and over. I have enjoyed every minute of it. I sincerely thank you!
There are videos and then there are videos - then occasionally you stumble across a masterpiece like this one.
I've never felt so sad to see a documentary come to and end. Superb doesn't come close to describing how amazing and inspiring this has been. Thank you.
I'm lost for words, all four episodes are just pieces of art. It feels like we're literally travelling with you, sharing your feelings, somehow experiencing icy silence and loneliness, but also joy and a sense of achievement. I've always been in love with cycling and travelling, and this is by far the greatest film I've ever seen about these passions. Just thank you for sharing your journey, it's been just amazing watching it, I can hardly imagine what's been like to fully experience it.
This is easily my favorite travel narrative on the tube. Outstanding in every way.
You ever see Iohan Gueorguiev ?
I was looking for a touring/hybrid bike and stumbled across your amazing adventure. It reminded me of a National Geographic Documentary. The images, videography, music and oral presentation fully captivate your audience. As said, what an amazing two year journey.
i've done solo travel myself, but not anything like this ... u r a brave man
Marvelous journey! All respect for your bravery to trust your heart and to show us the wonders of this world. Thanks for that. Yet I wonder, by all that enormous space, have not noticed that the world is flat, not a globe as they falsely thought us in school.
Martijn, this has been such a pleasure watching your journey. Thanks for the honest words and the amazing pictures you brought back. It's very inspiring and I thoroughly enjoyed watching every episode. I also catched up on "one year on a bike" and am looking forward to more updates from your new home in Italy. Glad I found your channel a few months back. Keep it up and all the best for you!
Ich bin Österreicherin und Du bist einzigartig, wunderschöne Muter Erde . Danke Danke . Ich liebe Deine Videos in den Bergen von Italien, wo Du Dein zu Hause renovierst. Herzlichen Dank für so viel Kreativität . Das Brot backen so viel Geduld . Ich freue mich immer auf was neues. Herzliche grüße aus den Salzkammergut.💛💛💛💛
The film is the perfect companion to the book - both are stunning, a work of art yet each piece articulates your journey in different ways. The words in your book, immerse me into your journey and my mind recreates your experience while the film paints your journey in all its glory and challenges. Your newest project with the cottage is a natural extension of your bike journey. Bravo!!!!!
This entire series can only be classified as a masterpiece; storytelling at its finest. Thank you for sharing. Your comments toward the end have been my mantra, too.
Enjoyed every minute of these series Martijn. Many thanks!
Thanks for your beautiful video serie Martijn 😇💗💗💗 love and bless us all in divine light.
This series and your way of telling about your life in the cabin and on your bike journey have been the best and most needed I've seen, maybe ever. You've inspired me to start thinking about embarking on something similar after having spent the past 15 odd years mostly going nowhere, working as a software dev. It may sound extreme but just from plowing your videos over the past week, I feel for the first time in my life that I have something I want to work towards and to plan for - something to look forward to! Suddenly, smoking actually seems like a bad idea instead of just a stupid and wasteful fast-ticket towards the end. What a gift, I'm in tears! Your first book now sits waiting for me at my local post office. Much love and many thanks!
Dear Martijin ,my husband and I ,both in our 70's just finished watching the whole series, .. thank you so much for sharing your incredible bike journey... truly we were in awe of everything .. of the incredible beauty , your pushing through and moving on in some extremely hard and difficult places,situations , physical and mental .. so thankful to get to somewhat experience it through your sharing ... Then at last what a joy it must have been for you to reach family and home .. .... it was all so incredible and beautiful .....
From your bike journey to owning a house on the hills in Italy...that's a great achievement indeed.
I‘m finding no words. Mouth open. Amazing. The journey and the movies.
You are a blessed man. Thank you for sharing your life story. Stay well. I look forward to your current life chapter in Italy. You are located very close to a holy man with experience on your current “path”; another blessing.
Namasté
It video is amazing. I am Bolivia and I am glad that you show to the world my country😀👌
Great words and inspiring journey! "If you do nothing today, tomorrow will be exactly the same."
Martijn, I spent several mornings reading your book while enjoying my coffee in the warmth of my home, imagining how difficult and how rewarding your journey must have been. I own many photobooks and yours is my favorite. It is truly a work of art, as are these films you've made. I just wanted to say thank you for sharing so much of yourself.
Wow!!!! Absolutely incredible, stunning!!! You must have such strength of character as well as physical stamina to complete such a “journey”..
Your filming, picture taking and choice of music to accompany the scenery throughout is just outstanding, you truly have brought me out of this world and into your own experience…so many highs, the tough physical challenges of the different terrains…I was completely transported…wow wow wow!!!
More than a story, you've given us a dream. Thank you
Martinijin ,That journey was amazing!! I felt I was there with you , can’t imagine how many ups and downs your emotions must’ve been .
You must have the best Guardian angel . Thank you for bringing us along . 👍👌😇
I came across you when you started your Italian property renovation/rebuild. I really enjoy it, the adventure, the scenery, the methodical way you go about it and the excellent way you put together the videos with such clever narrative. And then I saw this "Two years on a bike" series. Which blew me away. At the back of my mind all the way through was "why didn't I have the balls to do something like that when I was young enough to do so"! Your photographic/videographic skills are amazing as is your strength and determination to keep going when things get tough. Thank you for taking me places I'd never heard of. And huge congratulations on completing your adventure.
Martijn, I tip my hat to you. Amazing. Just amazing. I'm blown away. Your advice about daring to try things and one path leading to another at the end was so timely and perfect. You are truly living my friend. What a great experience. Thank you so much for sharing it with us all. Inspiring! 💖
I was so sad when you said this was the end of this brilliant, unbelievable, amazing journey. What privilege it was to watch these four videos. Thank you Martijn for sharing your adventure, life and your spirit!
Martijn, I immensely enjoyed your 4 videos about your bike journey. This last video was crazy what you went through with the weather, and more challenges. You were always so calm and composed. Such great character. Photos and video are so great too. Thanks so much.
What stamina! What willpower! What determination! What self-discipline! BRAVO 👏🏼 👏🏼 👏🏼 👏🏼
What an amazingly beautiful vlog. Makes you realise just how insignificant we are in this world. A tiny dot in an huge expanse of salt lake, yet even that salt lake is a tiny dot in the world. Thank you for taking us along with you on this epic journey and crossing flooded rivers not once, but twice to retreive your camera, is going above and beyond.
Incredible, what a journey, what a story.
What an experience! There are only a handful of people on this earth that can say they have ever done this and you are one of them. That’s one hell of an accomplishment and the fact that you are able to tell this story in my opinion makes you one of the most interesting people out there. Super inspiring and has definitely helped blossom some new ideas/adventures to add to my bucket list.
Excellent Narration Brother.. Really highly impressed one. I admire you Brother.
What an incredible journey, I'm amazed this isn't on Netflix! Thank you for sharing Martijn.
Simply stunning
Amazing journey. This is an incredible adventure in one's life. Thank you for sharing it, I'd never been able to see that part of the world myself. Wonderland.
So many times you could of easily been hurt lost and never found, it was epic and your a inspiration on many levels.
Anyone knows how to get this nominated for Oscar? This is a masterpiece. The adventures itself is hard, with video and photo shooting, it makes the whole adventure even more difficult!
Most incredible journey You are truly a Renaissance man. I love watching your videos.
This series of 4 videos is surely the most inspiring thing I have ever found on TH-cam. Thank you Martijn.
You must not have seen - Iohan Gueorguiev - then
@@notreally2406 Thanks for the recommendation ... I will watch Iohan's videos as soon as I can ... Cheers
@@notreally2406 I'm 3 episodes in and totally hooked ... Thanks again for the recommendation
A true epic Martijn. I need to tell you before I leave this video, that I found this series so inspiring. I have had some great adventures in my life (I'm 25) but after working in a city job I'm beginning to feel encumbered and lost. Every episode I felt your emotions, felt your passion, felt your intensity. You revere the world and revere life. Thank you for reminding me how it feels to be in awe of life. You're a special man.
My deepest gratitude to you Martijn for this four part series. It’s been utterly divine to watch and often times experience with you. Those salt lakes!! That rain. Those rivers. The cold. The mind wanting to be there and at same time wanting it to be over. Those many times of utter utter silence and not a soul to be seen. I admire your courage, perseverance and, I can only imagine….your deep love of being alive Thank you 💜🙏💜
What an incredible film maker . You have inspired me so much to do simular things . Thankyou 🤙
Wow! These places are indeed hauntingly beautiful. watching this series has sparked the adventurer in me again! Thanks, Martijn. Love from India 🇮🇳
I watch your videos too, brother, and I get inspired by you. Keep going ❤
WOW!!!❤ Totally Amazing! I greatly appreciate you sharing this. Thank you so Much!!! Wow!
Incredible journey. Thank you to take us with you to those amazing landscapes. One word to describe how great your camera work and editing are. Stunning!!!
Simply Breathtaking!!!
Unbelievable Mart , the narration and videography is sensational. You’re endurance is amazing. Take a bow lad 👌🇮🇪
This series - the beauty, the challenges, the learning, the life reflections' the realization that such a journey really never ends in your mind ......and such a beautiful work of story telling.
This was an absolutely beautiful series to watch. Not much else I can add to everything else that's been said in the comments. Thank you for sharing your journey with all of us here and within your books. In addition to your photography and videography skills, you're a gifted storyteller. This was a great ending to a great series, but I must admit I'm sad it's over! Keep on crushing it!
Fabulous, very interesting kind of understated ending. Almost a perfect declaration of how life can be. Fantastic things don’t have to end with a bang like a movie. Well done.
The Salt Flats in Bolivia, the night scenes, the music and your verbal expressions of mother nature’s beauty is truly mesmerizing!
Dear Martjin,
I'm having this video in the background while I work on my research proposal. As a Bolivian-born raised in Europe, one of my biggest dreams is to bike throughout South America, and you don't know how inspiring and firing this video is. Thank you, Martjin.
I'm not a book reader so Thankyou for sharing your journey with these videos, I hope they get the attention they deserve.
To be one with, completely immersed, and at the mercy of the environment in this way is beyond brave. It’s human. It’s presence. It’s being here, now.
This man can say he truly travelled the earth. What his eyes have seen. What he has smelled, touched. An intimate encounter with nature itself.
One can only but dream. 💚
An immensely inspiring journey and beautiful photography and filmmaking, even in the most extreme environments - an excellent series, can't wait to get the book!
OMG, just Beautiful...Not sure if I could do this. What I do know is that having an open mind and refraining from complaining helped you push through. Our mind tends to go weak to "protect" us...but my Hats are off to you, and you made it!!... Thank you for sharing, Martijn
Just ordered the book. It will be wonderful to page through after following your journey through video. Enjoyed it so much. Also your videos on building your cabins in Italy. Wonderful images and heartfelt narration. Pleasure to witness. Thank you from Victoria Canada. All the best on your future endeavours.
Beautiful journey. Beautiful ending to a beautiful story.
“If you do nothing today, tomorrow will be exactly the same”
That was incredible!
Thank you for sharing your life journey with us, Martjin.
What an amazing journey! KUDOS!
I’ve watched the entire series and was blow away by the quality of your production, I’ve just purchased your book 👌
Thank you Martijn!