A 21-year-old Muscovite has set off on a bike ride across Russia, starting in the northwestern city of Murmansk with the aim of covering 1,600 kilometers a month to reach Vladivostok in November.
Oleg Zavodov, a self-proclaimed "professional bonehead," embarked on his "awesome quest" on Monday, carrying 130 pounds of supplies aboard a souped-up bike equipped with a pedal-powered electric generator, the Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper reported.
Zavodov, who plans to pedal 130 kilometers a day to reach St. Petersburg by May 1, said he got the inspiration for the journey four years ago while he was hitchhiking around the country.
He also plans to visit Yekaterinburg, Samara and Lake Baikal, staying with acquaintances or camping out in the wilderness, before reaching the Far East ahead of the winter freeze.
Perhaps most surprising, though, is he doesn't seem to be collecting money for charity. The trip, which he says is to promote a healthy lifestyle, might actually be to impress a girl.
He said a lovely lady he met in Vladivostok a few years ago is waiting for him there.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
![paiment methods](https://static.themoscowtimes.com/img/contribute/payment_icons.png)
Remind me later.