By Chen Chekki
A 39-year-old woman cycling her way around the world to help free Tibet landed in the Thunder Bay area yesterday.
Karen McLinton first began her global cycle from her home on the island of Jersey, about 64 kilometres off the north coast of France to challenge herself in a battle against chronic fatigue syndrome.
At times, the insurance agent by profession could barely walk across a room.
“It was an absolute nightmare,” McLinton said. “It could take 30 minutes to make a cup of tea.”
She used her own savings to embark on a cycle around the world on Aug. 27, 2001, starting it with a boat ride to France.
McLinton crossed France on her British touring bike, which later took her to Italy and Greece. She then hopped on a plane in December 2001 to resume her cycling escapade in India.
It was there where she joined 15 Tibetan refugees who were cycling in the World Peace and Free Tibet Cycle Rally from Calcutta to Bombay.
“I wanted to learn more about the situation in Tibet,” McLinton said. “I decided to take their story and continue out to other countries to tell them what’s going on.”
Tibet is under Chinese occupation and is deprived its freedom to practise Buddhism freely. The area’s spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, has been exiled to India.
“The Chinese government is getting away with murder in Tibet,” McLinton said.
Avoiding Tibet because she was afraid of not being allowed to speak her mind there, McLinton flew to Thailand, where she continued her cycle which took her to Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and then back to Thailand. She then flew to the United States in November 2002, where she worked to earn money to continue her journey.
But the money never came through. Embittered by the U.S., McLinton left for Vancouver by bus.
After arriving to Canada, she created a sign for the back of her bike with the words, “Free Tibet World Bike Ride.”
Progressing eastward on her bike since last April, McLinton found herself arriving yesterday at Trowbridge Falls Municipal Campground.
She believes she has travelled about 14,000 km so far in her journey, relying on the hospitality of strangers, as well as the cover of the woods and campgrounds.
“It’s been amazing,” McLinton said. “It’s the best thing I’ve ever done in my life.”
Her chronic fatigue has also been slowly disappearing since the start of her cycling trip.
McLinton will be in Thunder Bay until tomorrow before cycling to Toronto and then eastern Canada.
“I hope to carry on for as long as I can after that,” McLinton said.
She may write a book about her trip and the Tibet situation and spread the message to Scandinavia, Australia, Britain and other places.
