Distance: 2,500+ km | Time: 14 days | Route: Barcelona ➔ Turin ➔ Czechowice-Dziedzice

Switch to Bike is a project born out of friendship, a shared passion and a desire to do more than just clock up the kilometres. On 12 May 2026, we’ll be at the starting line in Barcelona. Ahead of us lies a route of over 2,500 km through the Pyrenees, the Côte d’Azur and the Alps, all the way to the finish line in Czechowice-Dziedzice.

We are cycling to celebrate the 105-year history of Kontakt-Simon, the company we work for, but above all so that every turn of the pedals brings about real change in the lives of those supported by the Nowy Azymut Foundation.

We are not professional cyclists, but our passion for two wheels has become our way of life. We have been working together in the same company for over 20 years – one in Warsaw, the other in Kraków. Despite the distance between us, long-distance (ultra) cycling has brought us together.

• Piotr Byster: He has thousands of kilometres under his belt in the toughest Polish ultra marathons. Mariusz got him hooked on long cycling expeditions. He has taken part in the Wisła 1200, Great Lake Gravel and Mazowiecki Gravel ultra marathons. 
• Mariusz Kopeć: A spirit of adventure and perseverance. He started out in cycle touring, before being persuaded by Piotr to ‘switch over’ to the world of gravel and extreme distances. Among others, he has completed the Wisła 1200, Wschód 1200 and Duch Puszczy.

Our story is proof that shared goals build the strongest bonds. Today, we want to use these bonds to help those who are starting out in life from a more difficult position.

All funds raised through this campaign will be donated to Rowerowy Start. We want to equip children from care homes with the tools that will give them freedom and a new passion, which may lead them to the place where we currently find ourselves.

We will use your support to:

• The purchase of bicycles for the Foundation’s beneficiaries.
• Professional equipment (helmets, lights, safety gear, etc.).
• Organising cycling workshops to teach the children how to look after their equipment and ride safely off-road.
• Organising cycling trips.

Since 2014, the Foundation has been proving that sport is the best compass in a young person’s life. Through sailing, climbing and trekking, they help children build a sense of agency and self-confidence. Together with them, we want to add cycling to this range – a sport that teaches perseverance and shows that even the toughest climb comes to an end.

• Genuine passion: We are not professionals. We are amateurs who have been working at the same company for 20 years and train together virtually. Our expedition is proof that determination allows you to achieve goals that seem unattainable – that is exactly what we want to convey to the children.
• Areal impact on the future: A bike for a child from a care home is more than just a gift. It’s a ticket to a healthier lifestyle, building relationships with peers and discovering their own potential. Your donation is an investment in their self-confidence and passion, which could stay with them for life.

Switch to help mode. Together, we’ll make the kids’ dreams come true!

Follow our preparations and route: https://www.facebook.com/switch.to.bike/ 

Distance: 2500+ km | Time: 14 days | Route: Barcelona ➔ Turin ➔ Czechowice-Dziedzice

Switch to Bike is a project born from friendship, shared passion, and the desire to do more than just cover kilometres. On 12 May 2026, we will stand at the starting line in Barcelona. Ahead of us lies a route of over 2500 km through the Pyrenees, the French Riviera, and the Alps, to the finish line in Czechowice-Dziedzice.

We are cycling to celebrate the 105-year history of the Kontakt-Simon company, where we work, but above all, so that every turn of our pedals brings about a real change in the lives of the beneficiaries of the Nowy Azymut Foundation.

We are not professional cyclists, but our passion for cycling has become our way of life. We have worked together for over 20 years in the same company—one in Warsaw, the other in Kraków. Despite the distance between us, we were connected by long-distance (ultra) cycling.

• Piotr Byster: Has thousands of kilometres under his belt in the toughest Polish ultra-marathons. Mariusz sparked his passion for long-distance cycling trips. He has taken part in the Wisła 1200, Great Lake Gravel and Mazowiecki Gravel ultra-marathons.
• Mariusz Kopeć: A spirit of adventure and perseverance. He began with cycle tourism, only to ‘switch’ to the world of gravel and extreme distances at Piotr’s suggestion. He has completed, amongst others, the Wisła 1200, Wschód 1200, and Duch Puszczy.

Our relationship proves that shared goals build the strongest bonds. Today, we want to use these bonds to help those who start life from a more difficult position.

All funds raised through this campaign will be donated to provide childrenwith their first bicycle. We want to equip children from care and educational facilities with tools that will give them freedom and a new passion that may lead them to where we are today.

• Purchasing bicycles for the Foundation’s beneficiaries.
• Professional equipment (helmets, lights, locks, etc.).
• Organising cycling workshops to teach children how to look after their equipment and ride safely.
• Organising cycling trips.

Since 2014, the Foundation has demonstrated that sport is the best guide in a young person’s life. Through sailing, climbing and trekking, they help children develop a sense of agency and self-confidence. Together with them, we want to add cycling to this range—a sport that teaches perseverance and shows that even the most difficult climb has an end.

• Genuine passion: We are not professionals. We are amateurs who have worked in the same company for 20 years and train virtually together. Our journey proves that determination allows one to achieve goals that seem unattainable—this is exactly what we want to pass on to the children.
• Real impact on the future: A bicycle for a child from a care home is more than a gift. It’s a ticket to a healthier lifestyle, building relationships with peers, and discovering their own potential. Your contribution is an investment in their self-confidence and a passion that may stay with them for life.

Switch to helping mode. Together we will make the children’s dreams come true!

Follow our preparations and route:https://www.facebook.com/switch.to.bike/