Originally from the Fébus city and established in Toulouse, Fabienne Gardères and Hubert Lafore left France in 2012 to settle in Quebec (Canada). This welcoming land and this cultural change will offer them new perspectives and shake up their perception of life.
Already great adventurers in the Pyrenees, they are trying their hand at cycling in 2020 to explore the immensity of the North American landscapes. They travel along the banks of the St. Lawrence River during a two-month journey in the summer of 2021. “We found it too short and wanted to try something stronger,” rewinds Fabienne Gardères.
Hubert Lafore and Fabienne Gardères followed the East Coast of the United States, stopping in Washington.
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From Africa to America
It was at this moment that the idea of going away for a year was born. They took the big leap in 2020. Their two children, 23 and 25 years old, now being independent, they are embarking on this great adventure by bicycle. “We sold our house and quit our jobs. We only have our bikes and our panniers left,” summarizes Fabienne Gardères.
This 51-year-old designer and this 48-year-old teacher are taking their first ride in France. From Burgundy, they reach the south of Spain following the coasts of the Mediterranean. To the south of the Iberian Peninsula, they cross the Strait of Gibraltar and continue their route to Morocco then to Western Sahara.
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Hubert Lafore and Fabienne Gardères have been traveling by bike for three years.
Next will come Mauritania, Senegal and Guinea where the rainy season stops this first part. Returning to Canada for family reasons, they resumed their journey down the East Coast of the United States and reached Cuba by sailboat.
“Restore faith in humanity”
The couple accumulates the kilometers (around 12,000), the anecdotes and the meetings. “More than 95% of people were welcoming, this restores faith in humanity,” assures Fabienne Gardères. Homeless for three years now, they are staying with strangers, friends or family. Fabienne and Hubert return once a year to Montreal to see their children and to Orthez to visit their parents.
These Béarnais can afford this trip, without time limit, thanks to their savings but not only that. Hubert managed to work remotely and Fabienne retrained as a yoga teacher and personal coach. “These are professions that we carry with us, adapted to the reconfiguration of our lifestyles,” explains Fabienne Gardères.
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Hubert Lafore and Fabienne Gardères use their bikes for their daily trips.
Deconsume
Beyond the efforts, this nomadic approach is also a philosophical choice. “It’s a way of experiencing the world in another way. We wanted to slow down in our lives, the pace of which was hellish. It’s also a desire to reduce consumption,” says Fabienne Gardères. The travelers have no regrets about having shed their material assets and their social status.
In the spring, after returning to Quebec, the backpackers would like to cross Asia on the handlebars of their bicycles which they use in their daily travels. When we ask them when their path will end, they answer “when our first grandson arrives”.
A warm evening during Festisol
Fabienne and Hubert will share their traveling experience with the public this Saturday, November 23 at 5 p.m. in the Salle des Musicales as part of the Festisol solidarity festival. “It will not be a soporific slideshow, but rather an African-style tale sitting on a carpet,” warns Fabienne. This time for sharing is intended to be a sort of “counterpart to the gloomy current affairs”. It aims to give “another look at people and the world”. The subject of migrants will also be discussed.
