Reasons Why the Tour De Timor is AWESOME.

I just came back not too long ago from beautiful Timor-Leste filming the 2011 Tour De Timor. It was the third time I’d had the pleasure of visiting the country – next time I’ll be going back there to stay. I just wanted to quickly share a few reasons (there are actually hundreds) why I think the Tour De Timor is, in fact, Awesome.

© Mathew Lynn 2011 (www.matlynn.com.au)

1. It brings together amazing people from around the world who want to challenge themselves and put themselves FARRRRR out of their comfort zone.

2. It’s for PEACE. (This years tagline for the race was “DAME HAHU HUSI HA’U” ~ “Peace Begins with ME”)

3. The local kids are filled with PRIDE as their villages are TRANSFORMED into camp-cities with over 800+ people.

4. The National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre provided medical support for the race to mend the “broken” cyclists – but they also donated medical supplies to every village we stayed at!

5. I met a Timorese girl who broke several bones in her hand on the first day in a crash. She continued cycling anyway and FINISHED the day. She then continued for the next 3 days until she was forced to stop by the medical team. When I asked why she did it in an interview; she replied with: “for the pride of my country”.

6. I met the amazing Julio Costa – a Timorese local who suffers from polio. He completed every stage of the race and got a special mention from the President at the final presentation.

© Mathew Lynn 2011 (www.matlynn.com.au)

7. It brings hope - “Ba Futuru” - (for the future)

8. Everyone wants to quit and leave Timor-Leste after the first day. Everyone wants to live there forever after the last…..

THANKS SO MUCH TO THE AWESOME FOUNDATION MELBOURNE FOR DONATING AU$1000 TOWARDS MY CAMERA REPAIRS AND MELBOURNE FLIGHT! STAYED TUNED FOR THE DOCUMENTARY TO BE RELEASED IN THE COMING YEAR BY JUNGLE-RUN PRODUCTIONS! Exciting times.