Cycling from Toulouse to Istanbul in Turkey for MSF.

My name is Leo Jack McCormack, and I'm 18 years old. After graduating from high school back in France, I was left with 2 choices: starting a business school for another 3 years, or, taking a gap year to cover over 3000 km across Europe... Tough decision you may be thinking.

My plan is to leave in March with my bike and tent, to cover over 3000km to Istanbul in Turkey, crossing over 10 countries in Europe, with the goal of raising 3000 € for the charity Médecins Sans Frontières. My bike will take me through the mountains' peaks and valleys, introducing me to people along the road and immersing me in the thrill of adventure. I’ll be filming my daily adventures and sharing my journey on social media, so feel free to check out my pages.

My dad introduced me to bike-packing when I was 8 years old. Since then, a 7-day trip has occurred every year near our home in France. These trips taught me how to take care of myself on the bike, see the world from another perspective, and appreciate small things we usually don't on our daily basis. My Dad traveled around the world for charity when he was my age, and I always knew I wanted to do it as well. He shared some extraordinary stories from his time on the bike. From meeting my mum in Australia, to the rocky trails he faced while cycling through Mount Everest. As a kid, I knew I wanted to share stories like these with my friends and family in the future. So here I am in London, working in a hotel as a receptionist, saving money for this 6-month journey.

Riding for Medecin Sans Frontiere will not only raise money for the ones who need it most but will also (I hope), raise awareness and inspire others to help communities in need.