We Ride Against Cancer, one man, on a scooter, one road trip for endless solidarity...

Thanks a lot!

noreply@blogger.com (The pilote) — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 07:31:00 +0000

The summer is more about to end, than it is to start. Barcelona is far away behind and the beautiful landscapes I crossed are good memories. But it was a little start and help for other people.

I want to thank all the people who supported the road trip and the we ride against cancer project. The project raised €1500.

We can change things if we start small.

Joachim Vercaigne

We ride against cancer, more alive than ever!

noreply@blogger.com (The pilote) — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 21:11:00 +0000

Hello mates,

look, the last few dayes were different than I had expected. But you will always see with dreams. Some points fade away, other wishes become stronger, and some are taken away. Somebody else decided to make the road trip a little bit different.
And you don't hear me saying that nothing happened. I feel stupid about this all, but life goes on. And when I was thinking in Strasbourg about what was happen I didn't feel regrets about the scooter, are that I had to go back to Belgium. I felt sorry that the project not would have the finish and the festivities that it deserves. I took a day in Belgium to decide what will happen, and I decided some hours ago that I still go on. I will cross a little bit of holland and Belgium with a bike. So I will arrive in Doka as how it had to be. Because never forget, you can take away some of my illusions, but you can't take away my dreams.
I had a place X already now I will have a place Y, because this is the best cd of Coldplay. If some of you can convince me to arrive in your place on tuesday the 26th of June to stay the night and start the last ride to Doka you get from me 5drinktickets and 2foodtickets for the Doka Party. All you have to do is telling me in an e-mail why you want to be a part of We Ride Against Cancer, and why your place is so special. Go and spread this message into the world, because We Ride Against Cancer is more alive than ever.

Ciao,

Joachim

I am sorry to thell you this!

noreply@blogger.com (The pilote) — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 23:49:00 +0000

It hurts me to say that tonight the We Ride Against Cancer road trip is finished. On the surveillance video of the youth hostel we see that at three minutes after ten my scooter is robbed. Not more than five minutes before I was downstairs to search for a bar, some minutes before my room mate came upstairs after his diner, and saw my scooter. I putted my scooter for a reason in the view of the youthhostel, a quiet place.
It meens I will arrive tomorrow in Begium. I want to thank everybody who believed in the project, and supported me from the beginning.
I wanted to give a message of solidarity to everybody I knew. And getting people so far to start other things. I believe that only things can happen with people who do something. When I didn't made that tour they wouldn't have stolen my scooter. I feel a little pitty that I can not arrive at the Doka cafe on a scooter. But I feel fine if there is a party because something is moved to support the Child Cancer Foundation.
I am grateful to all the people who made this road trip possible. I hope this is not the end of supporting the project but a reason to continue. We all knew it was a great challenge and that it would be difficult. I mend it in the way of safety on the road and find the motivation to go on after problemes. I didn't mend it in the way of be stolen the scooter. I believe in the goodness of every person, and I didn't want to think aboat be stolen something. I felt safe on the road and I am happy I had the chance to see a lot of Europe. The wonderful views are forever in my mind and the good memories I will never forget. I is at least something they can't take away.
I am not about crying, or I am not depressive. I went to the police and I did everything I could. I will not arrive in Belgium on a scooter, but for sure I will arrive as a person who saw and learned more than before he left. This is a sad message, but wrote by a person who still can laugh.
Even in the bad periods try to keep your head up high, a message to everybody and a support for all the people who suffer from cancer.

Joachim Vercaigne
19/06/2007

Actions and Reactions

noreply@blogger.com (The pilote) — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 19:16:00 +0000

I already said it before but without the support of other people this road trip would be a lonely foul who drives a scooter from Barcelona to Belgium. But with the solidarity of other people this project can become something nice. So it becomes time to put some other people in the picture.

In the first place Wim from café Doka who said right from the beginning that the arrival in his bar was no probleme and he gave his support to make something nice of it. You guys have to come to make it a nice and special evening. I am very grateful to Wim for his support.

The dog school in Langemark gives from no on ten cent each drink to the We Ride Against Project, the money goes of course to the Child Cancer Foundation. I want to thank everybody there for the support.

The bakeries in Merkem, they give the pistolets for the bbq. The butchers give the meat. I will thank them all for their support.

One day I send a message to Stan, a friend of my during the exams. It is years ago but he still has the message. I told him that if I want something I can go true a wall if it is necessary. The reactions of some people who send an e-mail I want to put here. Because it is because of this reactions I really can and will drive true a wall if it is necessary. Or during hard times still find the motivation to go on. Thanks for the support.

Een fantastisch idee waarvoor veel moed en durf voor nodig is! Dikke proficiat! Stefaan Rousseeuw

Ik stond verstom, bleef aan mijn stoel genageld. Hoe is het mogelijk! Dat jonge lieve ventje, kleuter, peuter, schooljongetje, eerste, plechtige communicantje, student en nu ! Een grote idealist ben je!. Dat bewonder ik in jou. Zr. Rosaline MPI Klerken

Zo zul je zeker in de hemel geraken, en ik weet van meneer Danneels uit Mechelen (hij heeft een directe telefoonlijn naar de baas van de ‘hemel’ (of was het ‘café “In den Hemel”)), dat je daar je rijstpap zult mogen eten aan tafel naast Modder Teresa. Smakelijk ! Ortwin Debels

Imagine, the words of a dreamer.

noreply@blogger.com (The pilote) — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 06:05:00 +0000

Imagine, you drove a scooter true the mountains. From Sankt Moritz to Zurich. The sun was shining the whole day on your face and the temperature was flirting with the 30 degrees. The views were simply brilliant. A mixture from hills and lakes, the routes were quiet. You arrive in Zurich on a camping, next to the lake. It's to late to jump in the water. You want to share wat happend that day with somebody, or you just want to talk. Some minutes later a group of teenagers are installing their tent next to yours. They are with ten and they just want to be drunk. You think, right also this. You searching as a fool for dutchmen because belgians are not on the road this days. You don't find them. You going to enjoy the view at the border of the lake and a young swedish guy is sitting their to. But it's a pitty because he is smoking his joint, and smoking a joint you do alone. You don't want to be disturbed or talk neither. So you watching the game from the flies and the dugs. The dugs are trying to catch the flies out of the air. You even think it's funny. For the first time on your route you feel alone. You realise that the road trip is so beautifull, so beautifull you start writing an email. One to Cooltra, to say that We ride Against Cancer is not half a way, or about to end. But it is just the beginning. That Cooltra already can arrange a scooter for next year, because i am going back. But not only one. Their has to be to scooters. Because this road trip is so nice I want to do him with the girl of my life or at least with one of my friends. Because all the shit in this world, but for sure the beautifull things are not mend to live alone. They are mend to share.
It is still some hours to go before you will laugh or cry. Because the team you supported a whole year long is about to winning or losing the spanish championship. You are nervous. You are tired but you can't sleep. The tent next to yours is already drunk and one ashole is trying to be funny to disturb you. It starts to rain. Little by little are the drups becoming bigger and bigger, they come faster and faster. You don't understand, you try to do something good but only troubles come by. You pray it stops to rain because otherwise you have another sleepless and cold night outside. But it didn't bother, the water is searching for a way into your tent. Your feets beginning to get wet. You offer your beachtowel and a shirt to keep your body dry. But it doesn't help. You escape your tent with your lugage. You decide to sleep under a roof of a terrace. And because that is not enough, you receive a message that Blaugrana won the game but lost the title. You realise, all the good things but also the bad, they are not mend to face alone.

The message of this message is not about the troubles I go true, because I knew before. It is that we all have to realise, that things are a lot better if we can share them together.

Ciao amigos y hasta luego.

Joachim

Lecco - Maloja

noreply@blogger.com (The pilote) — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 15:56:00 +0000

A really cold day. Recieved a phoe call out of Barcelona, really nice weather. I was freeying. Even no nineteen degrees, but with the wind on the scooter it felt like under zero. But like that was not enough it started to rain as hell. It seemed the weather wants me to stop the road trip, but I don't think about it. I want to arrive at Doka on a scooter, and I will do. The rain was coming and coming and I looked tot the tops of the mountains. It didnt seem the rain would stop for today. I couldnt see a thing, I had so cold and normally I had to drive to Sankt Moritz. I realised that iut was no option to risk my life in the mountains, risking my life 4000km on a scooter was a big enough offer. So I stopped in Maloja. And really it brings back emotions of years ago. I love Switzerland, I only have goood memories about the country. And strange to say but I was there more than one month of my life and no one day rain. I just arrived there and only rain. But I think it had a reason. I had the most beautifull times of my youth there in Maloja. But there came a time I chose to focus my life on football coaching and I didnt have time to go on CM camps anymore. A pitty. But being back, alone, with the Maloja Palace not in use anymore I brought the memories back. Also memories to a very special girl, I will never forget. Leen Vansina. For that reason i put a new song on the Go gear against cancer. Air supply with all out of love. It is a typical song for us, and the song brought all the good memories back. The walks in the mountains, the beautifull things we did, and eating a pizza in the restaurant we ordered every night a Pizza. I was sitting there alone, it was almost to cry. But I didnt.
I keep my tears for tonight. I am in Zurrich and tonight the decision will fall for the Spanish title. I am afraid that Hijo de Putas Real Madrid will win the title. Than my heart will cry, and the tears will fall. But I am sitting next to a lake, with the sun on my face. Living from day to day, realising I am a happy guy.

Hasta luego.

Joachim

Italy

noreply@blogger.com (The pilote) — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 15:39:00 +0000

I still smile when I writing this. but the Italians I like them. Soi furious, so full of temprament but it is something special that you have to see to believe it. Arived in Torino I decided to choose. Or stadio delli Alpi, or visiting the city centre. Because I don't like the way the route is signed out in Italy. And what do you think, am I joachim Vercaigne oir not. Of course I chosen the Old Glorz of the oldest football club in Italy. Stadio delli Alpi. They dont play there anymore, it is not beautifull, and it never was full with people but I wanted to see it once in my life.
So I am driving on a big road. A man in the car next to me is also waiting for the trafic lights to jump on green. His window was open and I asked the direction of the stadium. But the lights jump on green, the car behind him alreadz tromping. The man brings his head outside the car, his hand in the air. He wants to go to Delli Alpi he screamed that everybody could hear it. He said, come on, folloy me, I bring you there. A smile on my face, Italians, crazy about football, that's what I like.
With the scooter you stands always before the cars to wait for the traffic lights. And iut seems to me that the cars behind dont focus on the lights to be fast to accelerate, but they wants to tromp bewfore you have the time to accelerate. Unbelieveable.
But the most crazy thing I ever faced had still to come. I visited the centre of Milano after visiting the San Siro or Guisepp Meazza stadium. But I wanted to leave the centre at six o clock in the evening. Full of trafic, I never saw it before. After 1500 km on a scooter you feel safe and you use the thing where the people buy it for. To travel fast where the car is no option, the city centre. Where the Vespa is the king, I decided to drive like an Italian. The nice thing is that everybody thinks I am a Spaniard. I ask everything in Spanish because the two languages have a lot in comon. Thank you dad to always telling me how imnportant languages are, I realised it. But like a real Italian I crossed from the left side of the road to the other side, overtaking on the right side and I have to say, it was a uniaue experience that I maybe never can do anymore. But also, I liked it.
But the weather in Italz was also not my frind. I installed my tent on a Camping in Lecco and it started raining. No problemes I tought untill I realised it rains inside my tent. I cursed like a real spaniard and the man who ownes the camping came by. I tought, look now, a person with solidarity. Yeah right, in my dreams, he was fast to arange a bungalow for me, fifty euro's a night. I said you fucking bastard, I prefer to wait in the toilettes till the rain is over, but i don't pax you fifty euro. I praid to God that the rain would stop. He heard me, I could start drying my tent, and start sleeping. Prepared to escape when the rain started again. Another experience who gives the We Ride Against Cancer tour some extra colour. I like it, fool, loco or totally crazy. It doesn't mather for me.

Nyons - Torino

noreply@blogger.com (The pilote) — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 15:32:00 +0000

I left the camping quite early for a day with excellent weather. If i start drive to early it is to cold to drive. But that day it was perfect. The wind was already hot, I drove in a T-shirt in the direction of Torino. My last day France for a while, crossing the Alps. The only thing what bothered me was the reaction of my scooter in the Alps. He had hard times and the maximum speed was in moments 25 kilometres an hour but we survived it. The slow speed gave me the time to look around. Goiing down whas another thing. For an addicted person to speed it were nice times but no time to look around. I am going faster than cars downhill, but I enjoyed it. But lady luck didnt smile at me at the other side of The Alps. The hell was opening his doors and I couldnt do anything else than hiding for heavy rain and thunder. A camping was no option. A nice but cheap hotel was the only solution I had. But there was something wrong with the atmosphere in the hotel. It was a very big hotel but I was the only one around. I want to speak with the people but I couldnt. Being aloine the whole day ling is sometimes hard for me. But it makes me stronger and that is a motivation to go on. I didnt make Torino but I was close to stadio delli Alpi.

When God created heaven...

noreply@blogger.com (The pilote) — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 15:13:00 +0000

I have to say, now I have the time to post everything I already wrote, this road trip is the best that happend in my life. I also realise that I did it all by myself to ralize it. It is a message to all the young people out there, take the chances you get in life, because life is to short to waste time and to let chances slip away.
Anyway, I think, when God was creating heaven, he was driving a scooter the route I did from place X to Torino. Driving true the Petite Camargue and seeing the wild horses run in the fields. Zou can look as far as yourt eyes can reach. 35 dedgrees, the wind blows true your hair, some good music in your ears, the max. And I realised that solidarity is nothing of this world anymore. Nobody wanted to9 help me and I decided to not have stress anymore. I bought a tent and I was sure of a sleeping place the next dazs. Just drive with mz scooter where the wind took me. And that brought me to the beautifull Nimes. I never was there before and I have to say I was impressed by the beauty. I visited the Arena, Maison Carre who actually is an old temple and the fountain parc. I didnt care about time, why should I, the only fixed day on my route is the 27th of June and God I am sure I will be there, I don't to mis a thing. So around noon I looked to the map and decided to take the way to Avignon for a quick visit to the city centre and the palace of the pope. But not before seeing Pont du Gard. I looked already to see a liitle bit of the old water bnridge, but I couldnt see it. And just when te Gladiator music was playing on my Go Gear I saw the impressionant bridge. The only word I could bring out was Joder. Forgive me but I still curse in spanish and I think I will alwaxs do. But I couldnt believe that people more than thousands of zears ago where able to build such a thing. History was for a reason the onlzy course I was good in at school exept physical education. After drinking a cola in a bar where people believed I was a fool to go with the scooter to Belgium I also left Avignon. When thez heard that I already cam from Barcelona the whole street had to hear it. I tought if that is the support you have, I leave you guys. And that was what I did. I crossed the wine fields and passed by the Mount Ventoux to make my stop in Nyons. I found a quiet camping and I instaqlled my tent. The oyner of the camping was impressed by the project and offered me some free beers. I said to him, man you just made my day. Because it was the only thing what was missing to make the day perfect and ooh, it was perfect. Music, the ever changing beautifull landscapes, realising how happy you are and that you have the possibilities to live your life makes you forgett all the shit in this world.

I am so sorry that I have to post this no and couldnt do it earlier, but finding internet is the most difficult thing on the trip. But I am very fine and having the time of my life. I hope you all have the same.

Ciao,
Joachim

Go Gear Against Cancer songs

noreply@blogger.com (The pilote) — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 09:03:00 +0000

Hello,

new songs on the Go Gear Against Cancer.

Voodoo Lady-Live because, It is one of my favorite songs because it really takes me back into time to very pleasant memories. It dates back some 7 or 8 years. It is a really nice summerday in Leuven in the city park, we sit with a group of friend, having some drinks and fully enjoying the freedom of existence. The song was played by a small band in the park. It is one of the few songs which, when i listen to it, has much more dimensions than only sound. It can perfectly smell the grass of the park; almost feel the sun and experience the lively coulors of summer.

Kurt Desender

I don't want to be-Gavin Degraw because, it is not an emotional song but this song gives back your way of life. In the song Gavin sings that he don't wants to be pushed but that he just wants to live his own life. Living from day to day. Just like you. Simply brilliant.

Noëmi Mondy

Still alive – A special thank You

noreply@blogger.com (The pilote) — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 09:00:00 +0000

Hello. I am still alive, still on my scooter and last but not least i’m on my schedule. But the most difficult thing is finding internet.
First of all I want to do some special thanks. To al the people who already donated money on the account of the child cancer foundation. It is very important for me, and for the project that there are people who wants to support right from the beginning. It is a motivation to go on. And after a week I dare to say that I will make it. I like it and without serious troubles I will arive at the Doka café with a scooter.
I can say that it is the most brilliant thing I ever did in my life. Being outside, feel that you are alive and see the ever changing landscape. I can also say that it will be a once in a lifetime thing. But knowing that makes sure that I am enjoying every moment. For all the people who believed in me, and in the project, thank you very much. This is also your Ride Against Cancer.

Joachim

Two new songs on the Go Gear Against Cancer!

noreply@blogger.com (The pilote) — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 08:42:00 +0000

I had some minutes ago a delicious breakfast outside. The sun already shining and I have decide that I don't will have stress anymore. I will see wich way the wind will blow. One thing is sure I don't try to arrange a sleeping place in the big city's, may be I just visit them.
But it's almost eleven o'clock in the morning and I will leave soon. But I want to put two new songs on the Go Gear Against Cancer!

The River - Bruce Springsteen posted by Gino Tanghe because it is his favourite song. It's reminding him to the years he was a student. With a group of friends they wanted to give a party to celebrate the last months of the last schoolyear. But years ago it was not easy, the head of the school didn't like those things. But they tought, what ever, let's do it. I think it is a very good way of life. But after the party the school head was not so happy and they had to give al their money back. But what Gino wants to say is that, even he don't hear anybody of his friends of that time anymore, the good memories will stay forever. Thinking back of that time, with the River and Bruce Springsteen.

My good friend Kevin Deberdt posted It's a beautifull day - U2. I became crazy when I read his mail because it's a very good song. Kevin didn't want a emo song. And although it is a little bit cliché, Kevin thinks that if everybody would use this song to wake up, the world would be a lot better.

So long and good luck,

Joachim

Some words out of Place X

noreply@blogger.com (The pilote) — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 19:51:00 +0000

Hello everybody,

place X will be for ever a secret of We Ride Against Cancer, exept for the people who made me sleep here and not under the open sky. I will be forever gratefull to them, and never forget their support. Anyway, everything is OK with me. I didn't drive to much with the scooter today, but I like to drive so it's never to much. Let´s say, I didn't do a lot of kilometres. I took the time to put some things in a row an think back on my life, on the first days, on my dreams and wishes and on my illusions. Some of them are gone forever, what not means I walk with my head down. It´s for some reasons Walk On from U2 is one of my favourite songs on the Go Gear Against Cancer.

I realised it already months ago, but today I was taking some time to think about it, that some people are unforgetable, no matter what happens in your life. It's for such a people I do this road trip. It takes only one minute to close them in your heart, and to never let them down anymore. Truus was such a girl, the base of this tour. And also Meghanne Beun is such a girl. What follows is the song she wants on the Go Gear against Cancer:

Toca para mi - Alejandro Sanz because, "In a way, you always fascinated me. Allso your new project is again super I think! At the moment I'm in a very unpleasant situation. I don't like the studies that I'm doing. But when I see then how you're chasing your dreams, it gives me hope and desire for a simular challenge for me. So if people tell you how crazy or even foolish you are to come to Belgium by scooter, just keep in mind that from time to time, I would love to be in your place! Yo te quiero oir, quiero formar parte de tu locura!!! Big kiss honey"!Meghann

With this next video I want to honour all the people I close in my heart forever, and all the students with dreams in a difficult situation now. Place X will forever be their place. The video comes later

Greetz,

Joachim

On the way to Montpellier!

noreply@blogger.com (The pilote) — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 18:30:00 +0000

Hello everybody,

I have to say, sleeping outside can be romantic, but you have to be with two. Because all the beautifull things dissapear in nothing if you have to sleep oustside because there is no place for you, are they cannot help you. They want, but they can't, then I think yeah, yeah right. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HyQBbGC3cQ.

But I survived. I slept in front of the monastery like I said, but on a wall of a half a meter high, and I could just lay down on it. The birds woke me up, owkey that's a little romantic even if you are alone, but it was six o'clock in the morning. Doing nothing was no option, so I decided to leave Carcassonne hoping on a better day, with more luck.

But it was freezing on my scooter so early in the morning. The wind was still cold, and the sun didn't woke up yet. Everything was gray, and a beautifull country lose a lot of his beauty. So I hoped to not meet Murphy and his law today and that he saved the rain for later. Anyway I didn't met him, or not in the weather case.

Because after a while the sun came up. Before that I tought I was in really trouble. I needed gasoline and for sure a toilet. But in the little villages I passed by there was nothing open. And there are probleme's with my cart to take money. I think the only probleme is that there is no money on it, haha. So I could not take fuel. But just when I needed fuel lady luck smiled to me and there was a fuelstation, and an old women worked even on sunday morning.

The weather became better and better and the route was nice. Only one probleme, if you have to sleep outside you cannot load your battery of your sellphone, of your photocamera so even you guys will share in my probleme's. But the route changed from industry to sea, beaches without a building in a distance from some kilometres. To very touristic places, so it was a verry variated day.

I arrived already at noon in Montpellier, the city I would stay the night. But the people of the big city's don't feel like help other people so I decided not to stay there and after spending a noon there taking my scooter in the direction of Nîmes.

But I made a capital mistake. I wanted to go to the countryside and I took one exit of the big route I was driving on. La grande Marmotte. I couldn't believe my eyes, only hotels, Casino restaurants and boats. I tought about the worst, and indead it came true.

I asked to more than thirty people if they could help me, but no one could. Even if I said that I slept last night under the open sky. One couple gave me six euro, and I was very gratefull. Some people are really arrogant. Some make jokes, but the most stupid one I heard was the wife who said, and does it not going, sleeping outside. The weather is good. I tought heaven help. Why is a 21-year old guy fighting for solidarity for the child cancer foundation if other people not care about a roof above your head. It makes me angry, it makes me a little dissapointed but I keep on going.

I think back on two nights ago, no I realisy how nice a bed, to sleep alone, can be.

I went to all the hotels, and said I could make publicity on the website who is well visit. But no one could help me. One sympatic girl of the reception gaves me a bottle of water, and three biscuits. But she would not make a call to ask if there was a bed for free. It's not her fault that other people not care about you, it is my fault to take the wrong turn. So today I sleep before a church.

Good night,

Joachim

Sleeping under the open sky

noreply@blogger.com (The pilote) — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 18:06:00 +0000

Hello,

day 2 of the We Ride Against Cancer tour. It was a nice and easy ride, to Carcassonne. I started early because I had to do extra kilometres. First to Girona before going to Figueras. I didn't go to Rosas because otherwise I had to turn back and the only reason I wanted to go was because I was there on holiday with my parents years ago. But I don't live in the history so I decided to go directly to Perpignan, Narbonne and Carcassonne.

I was a few times scared because I tought I was driving on the highway, and that's the only thing I cannot do. Cars were flying by, I only praid. But after a while I saw the option to go on on the same road who became little smaller because the most of the people chose to take the highway. So I did the right thing.

The weather was nice and the sun burned hard. Even I am a very social person I can enjoy a time on my own. And may be it sounds stupid to drive on a scooter and not on a bike, but on my scooter I feel I am really living. I like speed, so going hard with the scooter, the wind blowing next to you ears and having wonderfull views, it's amasing. But just at the Spanish border, no speed, nothing. I stopped some minutes to take some pictures and I want to start again, nothing happened. I felt it like a sign that I had to stay in Spain. I was cursing, because I know nothing from scooters. But after a while, I could go on. Carcassonne here I come.

I was a little nervous to find a sleeping place tonight. But I said for myself that this trip has to be special in every way. So I only ask five times If I can sleep in the house of the people. If they do a phonecall, no probleme. But if they say no, I only ask four times more. And this is the result of today.

I had to be at 18.00h at placa des Canots. And I tought I was a lucky guy if I saw that the French Liga Against Cancer also was doing something to raise money. They sell vegetables. So I saw my chance coming and I explained my project, I asked if they could help me with a place to sleep. The wife said, yeah, there are a lot of hotels here. I tought, another answer like this and it starts to rain. Anyway I hope it don't rain because in the last place I asked to sleep the answer was even worse. It was in a monastery and it was an old man who opened the door. Don't ask me what he is doing between a lot of old non's. Anyway I could stay there for 25 euro's. I said, I only need a couch to sleep, and I leave early in the morning. No, no, no, it was not possible, he had to keep him to the orders. I said it´s not going about orders, it´s solidarity where it is all about. So I decided to sleep before the gate under the open sky. Those who know´s me really good, they know I will do for sure. A like Nike shoes, and an expensive watch, but to prove that we all have to be a little more solidaire, I have enough with an open sky, and ... a good weather. I hope.

To see what hapened last night in the hotel you can follow this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q-9rNfQlT8

In a while there will be come songs for the Go Gear Against Cancer. To find out why that song you have to look to the reactions of the Go Gear Against Cancer message.

If you want you can do a bet where I will sleep next night. There are a lot of options I want to try. Anyway, we keep in touch.

Greetings out of Carcassonne,

Joachim

Nightrider!

noreply@blogger.com (The pilote) — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 20:44:00 +0000

Hello,

the spanish lifestyle is one I love. But sometimes it makes you scared. I travel to the border of Spain on the N-II. It's a beautifull route next to the sea, but with a lot of hills. The Spanish lifestyle made me leave at 20.30h in stead of 16.00h. The nice band started playing around seven, to late for me, before saying goodbye to everybody it was after eight. I couldn't do anything about it, but I wanted to leave, not stay another night in Barcelona. You have to know I am serious of making it to Belgium. But people can say, Joachim, you are loco but I was thinking it myself. Everything dark, cars passing by, me and my scooter at the right side the sea, at the left side the hill. I was thinking, yeah yeah, you can be a fool, but it's not possible to risk your life on the first day.
Another probleme was that I am not in a big city know. Girona was to far, Rosas impossible and if I wanted to sleep somewhere I had to make a choice. But this week-end it`s the motor GP of Catalunya, all the hotels are full. So I took the first the best I tought. And I have luck. I can stay here but in the weekend of the motoGP unpossible to sleep for free. So I paid the bill of this little but nice hotel where two girls are dancing Flamenco. I know already that I will miss Spain. My plans for tomorrow is leave on time, going to Girona, Rosas, Cadacques before travelling to Carcassonne. I have to be there for an interview at 18.00h.
You can watch a video of me on Youtube by following this link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alQEbJzdKrU

Buenos noches,

the pilote

Some minutes to go!

noreply@blogger.com (The pilote) — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 14:22:00 +0000

Hello everybody,

i tested the scooter in the centre, everything is ready. But now I have a connection with internet and i want to show you some of the pictures.

When I have more time, i will make photo-album and put the link here.

In some minutes I try to leave the city centre. I pray for a good trip and very nice weather.

Hasta luego,

Joachim, Barcelona centre, 30 degrees.

Finaly it's there! Kick off, the big day! Kite - U2

noreply@blogger.com (The pilote) — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 21:37:00 +0000

I am really serious, for the first time in my life I feel what stress and adrenaline can do with a person. 16 hours left before I feel the wind blowing, me further and further away of Barcelona, the city of my dreams. I have to say, I will miss this town, the people and the weather. But it's a one in a lifetime chance who comes reality. I dreamed about it, and now it's real. Life is not only for people who are realistic, dreamers can makes thing happen.

I said goodby here to the people I had to see before I leave and now I have to arrange some things for tomorrow. But the webpage and the blog are fine. I am glad that I have something to look forward.

Tomorrow the big thing will be leave the city centre. Then I will take the N-II who brings me to Badalona, Mataró, Arenys de Mar. A beautiful road next to the see before taking the country side to Girona and Figueras to go back to the city of Rosas. I am sure I will sit at the beach tomorrow, listening to the Go Gear Against Cancer Music. Thinking back to the time when it al started for me here, on a holiday with my parents.

In the morning I will try my scooter, preparing myself for a last party here and at 16.00h I will leave. Every day I will do my messige on this blog about one of my favourite songs. Today it's Kite of U2. Because I don't know wich way the wind will takes me, but even if i say goodbye tomorrow and look back for one last time, I will say "see you back, but not yet, not yet".

Ciao Joachim

Go Gear Against Cancer

noreply@blogger.com (The pilote) — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 15:18:00 +0000

The pilot of this project want a little bit interaction with the people who visit the website and the blog. And because a well-known Belgian radio station says that 'Life is Music', We Ride Against Cancer changed it a little bit. For our team 'Music is Life'.

What's the Go Gear Against Cancer. Joachim will have on his trip his Go Gear mp3-player. He put twenty of his favourite songs on it. Every day he will try to talk to a person and ask for his/her favourite song. The song and the story behind comes on the webblog and the song comes on the mp3-player.

Also you can make your favourite song comes on the Go Gear, all you have to do is put a little story of the song as a reaction of this message.

The 27th of June is the music in Café Doka, the music of The Go Gear mp3-player.

Because Music is Life,

We Ride Against Cancer

The List

Umbrella - Rihanna
Walk On - U2
Kite - U2
Amsterdam - Coldplay
The Scientist - Coldplay
Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol
It's Beginning To Get To Me - Snow Patrol
Run - Snow Patrol
Honor Him - Lisa Gerrard & Hans Zimmer
Tears and Rain - James Blunt
Wonderful World - James Morrison
Rood - Marco Borsato
Born Slippy - Underworld
Mijn Feyenoord - Feyenoord
Feeling So Real - Moby
Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley
Zij Gelooft In Mij - André Hazes
Say It Right - Nelly Furtado
Me Voy - Julieta Venegas
Brabant - Guus Meeuwis

Doka Against Cancer

noreply@blogger.com (The pilote) — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 11:44:00 +0000

We ride against cancer is nothing without the support of other people. A person who also thinks that our project is good to Support is Wim of Café Doka in Merkem.

The last evening of my trip, before travelling to Gent, I visit my hometown Merkem for a stop in the Doka Café, Westbroekstraat 18, Merkem. The 27th of june around 18.00h I will arive there, and it is a good moment to have some drinks, eat something of the BBQ, have a nice evening and supporting the Child Cancer Foundation.

So the day before leaving the centre of Barcelona I want to invite all of you for a special evening. There you will also see all the pictures of the We Ride Against Cancer trip, this on the sounds of the Go Gear Against Cancer music.

Be there!

Joachim & Wim

Welcome

noreply@blogger.com (The pilote) — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 09:51:00 +0000

I am very proud to welcome you on the We Ride Against Cancer blog.

We Ride Against Cancer is a young project who wants to support children and their family who have to face a difficult period in life. By traveling on a scooter in Europe Joachim Vercaigne, the pilot, Cooltra, Peugeot and the Balbalclub wants to collect funds and raise awareness for the Child Cancer Foundation.

Whe hope that our dream of 'Unite people for Hope and Solidarity' comes true. We realise that alone we cannot make the difference. But we are sure that together we can.

On this webblog you can follow the ambitious scooter road trip. You will find more information about other initiatives to raise money and support for the foundation.

We hope you enjoy your time on this blog,

Yours sincerely,

Joachim Vercaigne and the We Ride Against Cancer team