Adventure cyclist, Lake Tahoe photographer Rick Gunn to cycle Iran to promote 'Wheels of Peace' project
South Lake Tahoe photographer Rick Gunn, who rode his bike around the world from 2005 to 2008, is on a mission to find a pathway to peace in Iran.
Gunn and Iranian friend Mohammad Tajeran, also a world-traveled cyclist, are raising money to fund the "Wheels of Peace Iranian-American Children’s Art Project."
Both men are visiting school classrooms in both America and Iran and are sharing with young students the story of their friendship and symbolic 2007 peace project in Malaysia that had them riding for peace between America and Iran.
According to Gunn's website, SoulCycler.com, the men are using the classroom to discuss themes of non-violent conflict resolution through dialogue and mutual understanding.
"When we are done we will request of those who are willing to create artwork and exchange letters based upon these topics," said Gunn. Later this month Gunn will carry those letters and that artwork to Iran.
"Then climbing atop our bicycles, the letters will be exchanged between American and Iranian students, and the artwork will be digitized and enlarged and displayed in variety of public exhibition as we ride across Iran," according to Gunn through his website.
The project will have the men pedaling 600 miles across the Islamic Republic, through Mashhad, to Isfahan, through Yazd, Shiraz and then return to Tehran. Riding along with Mohammad and Gunn will be philanthropist Bob McKerrow of New Zealand.
In addition Mohammad and Gunn will hold two speaking engagements where they will speak before large audiences in Iran’s holiest city of Mashhad, then in Iran’s capital, Tehran.
"This project has been a dream of mine for over a decade now. It is now time for our dream peace between our two countries to come true," said Gunn. "Along with the Wheels of Peace project I have continued work on Soulcycler the Book. Joining with new editor Kim Wyatt of Bonafide Books I have also partnered with Videographer Jobe Pilgrim of Pilgrim Productions on the finishing edits on two Soulcycler videos."
Go here to read more about Gunn, click through his fascinating photographs and videos and contribute to the Wheels of Peace Iranian-American Children’s Art Project.
See the video below.