For those who remember our 50th Anniversary Celebration last fall, Aengus Finnan (YR 15/1990, Canada-ON), cycled onto campus to join us following an incredible song-inspired journey across Canada that began in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
Could that incredible journey have inspired others? Maybe.
Liam taking in the view
At this very moment, Liam Ramsay (YR 49/2024, Ireland/Brazil) is wrapping up an epic bike journey that began in Ireland and will end in Istanbul. It’s not just a test of endurance but a mission with a purpose: to raise funds and awareness to help restore native forests in Ireland.
Liam began this journey on February 25th, ferrying across from Dublin to France to begin what would become a four-month odyssey through the heart of Europe. What started as a post-Pearson gap year adventure quickly grew into something more—something connected to both his roots and his time at Pearson.
“I knew I wanted to do something adventurous at the end of my year at Pearson,” Liam explains. “I had done the bike-packing Project Week with a group of my friends, including Diego, who helped lead it.”
Liam (right) at a rest stop with his peer Luca (left)
The idea of cycling through Europe solidified when Liam’s friend, Luca, proposed they do something big together. “We had always wanted to take a big trip together, and I was like, ‘Why don’t we do this in Europe?’ He had never really seen Europe properly, and I hadn’t seen most of the countries there.”
Their route was ambitious but flexible: from France to the south of Germany, over the Alps into Austria, descending through Italy. They crossed into Slovenia and then made their way through Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, Greece, and finally, Türkiye, where we caught up with him over a virtual call.
For a journey meant to connect landscapes, cultures, and communities, Liam found unexpected depth in the UWC network along the way. “Several UWCers hosted us, from UWC Mostar to UWC Costa Rica alum in Paris, a teacher at UWC Mostar. I sent a message in the Facebook travel group chat, and people just offered their homes. It was super lovely to meet them and to have that connection, especially when travelling.” Liam also reconnected with his co-year Justine Roberts, who joined him halfway through the journey.
But the trip was not without its setbacks.
Fixing one of many punctures along the way
“We had 16 punctures in the first three weeks between the two of us,” laughs Liam. “Luca’s bike frame snapped on day two. My brakes didn’t work. My back wheel didn’t fit my frame. We were constantly told by mechanics, ‘You’re never making it to Istanbul.'”
And yet, they kept going, always returning to the road.
And then, somewhere in Ireland before the ferry, something shifted. “I remember cycling through a forest and just thinking, ‘I’m doing something that gains attention. Why not direct that attention to something meaningful?'”
That moment sparked Liam’s fundraising initiative: supporting the restoration of Ireland’s native forests through an organization he contacted directly. “They said, ‘Sure, you can raise money for us.’ So, we started busking in cities along the way, and we ended up raising over 1,400 euros—well beyond our 1,000 euro goal.”
Pearson’s new bike fleet—something Liam heard about with great envy—could be a springboard for more journeys like his. “We had to rent bikes for our Project Week last year,” he says. “So getting new ones is a huge upgrade. It opens up weekend trips and adventures around Sooke. It makes cycling more accessible, and it’s better for the school because you save money instead of renting.”
Liam (left), Luca (middle) and Justine (right) pose for a selfie while on a break from biking
Over 4,000 kilometres, countless punctures and seeing the finish line, Liam’s journey has become very clear: see the world, connect with it, and leave it better than he found it. You can see behind-the-scenes footage of the journey by visiting his YouTube channel.