Sequim: Couple, son stop by during round-the-world bicycle trip

SEQUIM — Friday’s chilled morning air reddened the faces of the family from France as their black tandem bicycle with a trailer on back rolled through Blyn on U.S. Highway 101.

While the temperature hovered just under 40 degrees, Alain and Sylvie Soulat say their hearts were warmed by the people they’ve met during a round-the-world bicycle trip.

And they’ve tried to do the same: Their 7-year-old son Aymeric-Ulysse, surrounded by books and toys, rides in the covered wagon bearing a sign proclaiming their quest for world peace.

As world travelers, the Soulats say they are more interested in the people they meet than the sights they see.

“We would like to open the door for communication,” says 44-year-old Mrs. Soulat. “People are the most important for us.”

The Soulats prefer staying with people they meet rather than in motels or campgrounds because it provides them the opportunity to learn about people. They’ve also stayed in schools and churches along the way.

“Artists are very open people,” Alain said. “They stop us in the street and invite us to their homes.”

Alain and Sylvie started their bicycle journey 17 years ago this month. During that time, they’ve visited 55 countries and pedaled more than 67,000 miles.

Their journeys have been interspersed with periods when they returned to France to work, where Alain is a firefighter.

Together, the couple write books and hold lectures about their adventures. So far, they’ve published five books — on travel, philosophy and the history of the tandem bicycle.

During their first 12 years on the road, Alain and Sylvie traveled through Europe, Africa and South America.

The rest of this story appears in today’s Peninsula Daily News. Click on “Subscribe” to get the PDN delivered to your home or office.

More in News

KEITH THORPE/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
June Ward, 10, examines a wooden paddle she is decorating as her father, Jack Ward of Port Angeles, works on his own paddle during a craft-making session on Friday at the Elwha Klallam Heritage Center in Port Angeles. The paddles are among the thousands of gifts being created for participants in the 2025 Tribal Canoe Journey, hosted this year by the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. The event begins with the landing of dozens of native canoes at the mouth of the Elwha River on July 31 and continues with five days of celebration on the Lower Elwha reservation west of Port Angeles. As many as 10,000 indigenous peoples are expected to take part. The public is invited to help with giftmaking sessions, scheduled daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Heritage Center.
Canoe paddle crafts

June Ward, 10, examines a wooden paddle she is decorating as her… Continue reading

Ralph Henry Keil and Ginny Grimm.
Long lost sailor to be honored at graduation

An honorary diploma will be presented to the family of… Continue reading

Singers to workshop vocal instruments at Fort Worden

One hundred and fifty singers to join together in song

Jefferson County fire danger risk level to move to high

Designation will prohibit fireworks over Fourth of July weekend

Candidate forums to be presented next week

The League of Women Voters of Clallam County and… Continue reading

Port Townsend City Council candidate forum set for next month

The League of Women Voters of Jefferson County will… Continue reading

Jefferson County to host series of community conversations

Jefferson County will conduct a series of Community Conversations… Continue reading

Denise Thornton of Sequim deadheads roses on a flower display at the Sequim Botanical Garden at the Water Reuse Demonstration Park at Carrie Blake Park on Wednesday in Sequim. Thornton, a volunteer gardener, was taking part in a work party to maintain the beauty of the garden. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Rose display

Denise Thornton of Sequim deadheads roses on a flower display at the… Continue reading

Electric rates see big increase

Jefferson proposal approved for 4-year hike

Clallam Transit to receive $4M in grants

Agency to use funds on Strait Shot and other routes

Port Angeles council OKs sidewalk near park

Applicants to receive grant funding for one-third of total cost