On 03/01/2002 the then 26 year old Bärli (Christoph) von Toggenburg started a unique adventure: a 9300 km solo-bicycle expedition from New Delhi - India to Switzerland.

In this project Bärli crossed seven countries and two continents in 165 days. He faced
4000 km of deserts, sandstorms, incredible heat, cold and wild thunders. He came close to the war in Afghanistan, crossed villages where they had never seen a European before and spent the nights out in the wilderness. He saw some of the most stunning sceneries on earth but also poverty and misery. He experienced moments of pure luck and fear of death.

Finally, on 15/06/2002, Bärli arrived safely back to Switzerland after having crossed India, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Greece, Italy and Liechtenstein.

Had the only aim of his endeavor been to widen his personal horizon, he probably wouldn’t have made it. Instead he rode for others: His aim was to demonstrate that an individual could improve the world and help many in need.

Bärli knew how those leprosy-sufferers feel, the smell of rotten flesh and the deep wounds in body and soul. Two months prior to departure (Nov and Dec 2001), he visited leprosy centres in Cambodia and India.

Read more on www.bikeforhelp.com and in the Bike for Help Book: "Meine Expedition für Leprakranke, Ein humanitäres Abenteuer’. This book will be available in German as of the of September 2003: Herbig Munich, ISBN 3-7766-2352-7.