Liberec, CZ → Agadir, MA
19 June – 10 July 2026
A solo cycling challenge from the heart of Europe to the Atlantic coast of Africa — 4,000 km, no support team, just road, willpower and community.
This is my own private race — a challenge I created for myself as preparation for the 2027 Africa Crossing. No entry fees, no race director, just me, my bike, and the open road. Read more →
Get to know more
My name is Matyáš Pávek, soon turning 22 in October 2026, and for those who don't know me yet, let me introduce myself as a lifelong lover of pretty much every sport you can imagine.
Since childhood, I've played tennis, tried gymnastics, football, and many other activities. Very early, I switched to what truly captured my heart — bikes, skis, and snowboards. Because I had to divide my time between summer and winter seasons, I eventually chose cross‑country skiing as my main winter sport… even though I somehow managed to become a youth national champion in snowboarding along the way.
In the summer, I stayed loyal to mountain bikes, mixed with classic road cycling. With this combo, I became a junior national MTB champion, competed at the European Championships, and even raced in the World Cup in Nové Město. I raced for Kooperativa Jablonec and later for Brilon Team Mladá Boleslav in Czechia.
In cross‑country skiing, I also became a national youth and later junior champion, racing for Dukla Liberec, with several starts at World Championships.
Today, my main sport is still cross‑country skiing, and I proudly compete for the University of Alaska Nanooks in the USA, where I'm also a dedicated student. I could probably still compete for the Czech national team — but I chose the adventure of studying and racing in Alaska, and I'm loving every minute of it.
Even though skiing is my top sport now, bikes and gear remain a huge part of my heart and mind, and they'll stay with me for life. Once a gear‑head, always a gear‑head.
You can also meet me on a free downhill slope with my wide skis, or in summer on my enduro bike, where I sometimes end up racing my friends and my brother (and yes, bragging rights are very important). Climbing rock walls or going on long trips into beautiful mountains is also very much my cup of tea.
Cross-country skiing & mountain biking. Currently competing for University of Alaska Nanooks, USA.
Junior National MTB Champion · European Championships · World Cup Nové Město · Kooperativa Jablonec · Brilon Team MB
Youth & Junior XC Ski National Champion · Youth Snowboard National Champion · Dukla Liberec · World Championships starter
4,000 km solo & unsupported — Liberec CZ to Agadir MA. June 19 – July 10, 2026. Preparation for the 2027 Africa Crossing.
Czech Republic → Germany → France → Spain → Tarifa → ⛴ Ferry → Morocco (Tanger → Agadir)
Turning 22 in October 2026
Liberec, Czech Republic
Hello friends, followers and all kind people loving sport and adventures.
My goal is to travel 4,000 km as part of a personal challenge and preparation for the 2027 Africa Crossing. I've competed in many cycling races in the past, but never anything close to this distance in such a short time. I was also experiencing very tough conditions in Alaska where we trained skiing in very low temperatures reaching −30°C sometimes, and dark everywhere.
Liberec, Czech Republic — start of the journey · Zdeněk Fiedler, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikipedia
I decided to do the trip completely solo and unsupported. That means I can't just sprint on a lightweight road racer — I had to find a compromise between speed and bikepacking. My planned distance is around 200 to 250 km per day, with one even longer stage. So I went for a "light bikepacking" setup on a road endurance bike.
I politely borrowed my father's Trek Domane and fitted it with a light rear rack. The kit is minimal: almost no food, no cooking gear, just a few pieces of clothing, a sleeping bag, and a small tarp to shelter me and the bike. As simple as it sounds silly — but it works.
Even so, I've planned every morning to start around 5 AM, with a strict routine for drinking, eating, and resting. No improvising on the road.
I was told it's like the Tour de France — but with no support team. Haha…
Morocco — the destination awaits · Photo by Dariusz Kanclerz on Unsplash
I'm inviting you to be part of this journey too. You can follow my progress on this website or on @maty.pavek on Instagram.
You can also support me by donating a fixed amount representing one piece of my trip — equal to 100 km = 20 EUR. Your contribution will help cover accommodation, food, and any unexpected repairs or situations along the way.
I've made only 40 (100 km) support packages available, as this journey is not meant to generate profit — it's about purpose, challenge, and community. You can choose one package, or more if you wish.
Every supporter will receive a special sticker from the journey — sent personally by me once I return from the road. Your support truly helps make this adventure possible.
Thank you for being part of this adventure.
Matyáš Pávek · Czech Republic
Support the Journey
Help me complete the 4,000 km challenge. Each pack covers 100 km of this solo, unsupported ride from Europe to Africa — equal to 20 EUR. You can buy more than one pack if you'd like to make a bigger impact. Only 40 packs available.
One pack = 100 km of my ride. Buy one, or as many as you wish — every pack gets you a sticker.
100 km · Solo & Unsupported · Europe → Africa
Opens Revolut payment · 20 EUR pre-filled · Secure & instant
Follow the Journey
Moments from the road — updated as the journey unfolds. Also follow live on Instagram: @maty.pavek
Your Reward
Every supporter receives this exclusive sticker — sent personally by Matyáš once he returns from the road. No public listing needed — just a heartfelt thank-you.
Back any amount of kilometres and you'll receive this sticker personally from me when I return from the journey — a small but real token of gratitude for being part of this adventure.