Some race for fun, others pedal for peace. Cyclist and world peace pilgrim Fredrick Alexander Hutchinson ('Hutch') is back in town on a mission. In June 2003 Hutch was given a sacred stone (see pic), in the shape of a heart, from the Sisnaajini (Sierra Blanca) mountain, one of the four most holy peaks in southeastern Colorado by the Navaho Indians to place it in Mt Kailash, Tibet as a gesture of peace between the east and west. His journey, which began in January 2004, took him to Europe where he spent his summer in The Netherlands spreading the word. This October, Hutch landed in Kathmandu and is now preparing for the last leg of his mission that will start in May.

Interestingly, Hutch got his bicycle from Peter Stewart of Himalayan Mountain Bikes in 1998 and will be using the same wheels for this trip as well. Hutch likes to take his time, stopping to smell the flowers and talking to people along the way. He has never raced professionally but maintains a strict routine. "When you're older you like to go slower," says the 65-year-old. If you think you have it in you Hutch will be heading for Mt Kailash next May. Think about it, its worth the cause and much more.

email: [email protected]
website: www.cyclingpeace.org