World Tour: Judi Desire Embarks on a Solo Bicycle Journey Spanning New York to New Zealand
In the world of bike touring, Judi Desire, a Haitian-American woman, has made a significant impact. Known for her courage and resilience, she has embarked on six continents, pedaling through remote locations and diverse cultures.
Desire's journey began in 2010 when a coworker suggested bike touring in Europe, sparking her interest. After learning to ride a bike in her twenties, she initially felt apprehensive about long-distance touring due to potential mechanical issues, exhaustion, or forgetting essential items. However, her passion for adventure soon overcame these concerns.
In 2012, Desire embarked on her first proper bike tour, booking a one-way ticket to Sao Paolo, Brazil, for three months of touring with locals and travelers she met through Couchsurfing. This marked the beginning of her globetrotting adventures, which have since taken her to places like Portugal and Spain, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, South Africa, Costa Rica, and more.
Desire's race and gender often influence her choices of destination, as she avoids countries with strong oppression against their Black residents and immigrants. However, she has also faced challenges along the way, including instances of exoticization and gender-based issues.
In some regions, Desire has felt exotified, with people pulling on her braids and poking at her muscles. In Istanbul, a man slapped her on the shoulder in front of bystanders, who seemed unalarmed, and her host later informed her that Black people in Turkey are perceived to be prostitutes. Despite multiple bicycle mechanic and bike tour leader certifications, Desire has described being undermined and patronized by male bicycle mechanics.
Despite these challenges, Desire remains optimistic about the surge in cycling in New York City, particularly in communities of color, and the potential for long-term behavioral change. This optimism led her to found Uptown & Boogie Bicycle Advocacy in 2017, with the aim of promoting cycling in Harlem and surrounding communities.
Despite the lack of publicly available information about her personal experiences with racism or gender discrimination while traveling internationally, it is clear that Desire's journey is one of resilience, determination, and a commitment to promoting positive change through cycling. Her story serves as an inspiration to many, demonstrating that with courage and perseverance, one can overcome obstacles and make a difference in the world.
- Judi Desire's lifestyle of adventure-travel, ignited by a coworker's Europe tour suggestion, has led her to explore various continents, embracing diverse societies and remote locations through bike touring.
- Despite encountering challenges such as exoticization and gender-based issues, Desire's travel experiences continue to fuel her passion for promoting a more inclusive cycling culture, particularly in communities of color, with the establishment of Uptown & Boogie Bicycle Advocacy in 2017.
