The Final Stretch

Constantinople: Gateway to the West

After the extreme trials of Persia, Iraq, and Syria, Justine Tibesar finally reached Constantinople (Istanbul) in late 1931. Crossing into Turkey represented more than just another border—it marked her return to the European continent and the beginning of the final phase of her extraordinary journey.

Standing at the geographical and cultural crossroads between East and West, Constantinople must have held special significance for Justine. As she later recalled: “Europe was within my grasp, I greeted it joyfully—a few days later I was in Constantinople.”(1) The city’s iconic skyline of minarets and domes, straddling the Bosphorus Strait, symbolized the transition from the harsh Asian terrains to more familiar European landscapes.

A Changing Landscape

As Justine traveled westward through Europe, the stark contrast with her Asian journey became increasingly apparent. “The rest of my journey was just a drive compared to crossing Asia,”(1) she noted, capturing the dramatic shift in conditions. The well-developed roads, more frequent towns and villages, familiar languages, and relatively predictable weather made this final stretch feel almost luxurious compared to what she had endured.

Her European route took her through a fascinating cross-section of the continent’s diverse landscapes and cultures: from Istanbul through Edirne into Bulgaria, where she passed through Plovdiev (Plovdiv) and Sofia; then into the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, visiting Belgrade and Zagreb; onward through the northeastern corner of Italy, taking in Trieste, Venice, Milan, and Turin; and finally into France via Lyon to Paris.(1)

Technological Familiarity

After months of being an extraordinary anomaly on her FN motorcycle throughout Asia, Justine would have found herself in more mechanically familiar territory in Europe. Motorcycles were becoming increasingly common in European cities and towns during this period, and the sight of a woman rider, while still unusual, would not have drawn the same degree of amazement as in the remote villages of Persia or India.

More importantly, access to parts, fuel, and mechanical assistance would have been readily available along her European route. Gas stations, rather than carrying fuel in canisters stored in a sidecar, would have simplified her journey significantly. This technological familiarity likely allowed Justine to increase her daily traveling distance and reduced the constant anxiety about mechanical breakdowns that had characterized her Asian crossing.

Political Europe of 1931-1932

The Europe through which Justine traveled was one in transition and tension. The economic effects of the Great Depression had spread from America to Europe, creating widespread hardship. In Yugoslavia and parts of Eastern Europe, political instability simmered beneath the surface. In Italy, Mussolini’s Fascist regime was firmly established, while in Germany (though not on her route), the Nazi party was gaining momentum.

Despite these political undercurrents, Justine’s practical focus on completing her journey likely meant that her interactions with local populations centered around immediate needs—accommodation, food, fuel, and directions—rather than political discussions. Nevertheless, as an observant traveler who had already crossed continents, she would have absorbed the changing atmosphere as she moved through different regions.

Approaching Home: Paris to Belgium

As Justine approached the final destinations of her journey, her thoughts turned to the FN motorcycle factory in Liège, Belgium—manufacturers of the reliable machine that had carried her through 22,000 kilometers of the world’s most challenging terrain. Before heading directly to her hometown, she made a deliberate detour to visit the factory.

Her arrival in Paris marked the effective completion of her transcontinental journey. From there, the road to Liège represented something of a victory lap. As reported in FN Sports magazine, she was met at the Belgian border “by a group led by delegation led by M. DEBRUGE, including our friends Hanquet and Joseph WEERENS, to Olivier CHARBONNEL, the FN representative in Huy.”(1)

The welcome she received—complete with flowers and formal speeches—reflected the marketing value her journey represented for the FN company, whose motorcycles had proven their reliability under the most extreme conditions imaginable. The next day, she visited the factory itself, where she was impressed by the “enormous factory halls” and honored with a special breakfast and a greeting from the general manager, M. JOASSART.(1)

Journey’s End: Arrival in Arlon

On January 22, 1932, Justine Tibesar finally reached Arlon, Belgium, completing her remarkable expedition.(2) From her purchase of the FN motorcycle in Saigon on March 10, 1931, to her arrival in Arlon, her journey had spanned more than ten months and 22,000 kilometers across some of the world’s most challenging and diverse terrains.

The local press celebrated her return, emphasizing both her personal courage and the reliability of her Belgian-made motorcycle. Publications like L’Auto from October 16th covered her achievement, noting: “When you honor this athlete, you also have to mention that this machine made a decisive contribution to her performance.”(1)

Reflections on an Extraordinary Journey

Upon completing her journey, Justine maintained her characteristic modesty. When asked about her mechanical knowledge, she simply stated that “she had no idea of the mechanics of motorcycles” and had “just trusted her intuition.”(2) This understated approach to her own remarkable achievement reflected the quiet determination that had carried her through countless obstacles.

What she had accomplished was extraordinary by any standard—especially considering the era, her age, her gender, and the limited technology available. Without GPS, modern communication devices, reliable maps of remote regions, advanced riding gear, or a support network, Justine had traversed continents alone on a small motorcycle never designed for such extreme conditions.

Her European return completed not just a physical journey but a personal transformation—from a young woman seeking adventure to a proven pioneer who had expanded the boundaries of what was thought possible. In returning to Europe, Justine Tibesar brought with her not just stories of distant lands, but living proof that determination and courage could overcome seemingly impossible odds.

References:

(1) “Artikel Justine Tibesar englisch.pdf” – Report from the magazine “FN Sports” / October – November 1931 by Paul Destoc

(2) “La fabuleuse histoire de Justine TIBESAR.pdf” – Le fabuleux raid de 22.000 km, en 1931, de Marie Justine TIBESAR, à moto du Vietnam à Arlon by Jean-Marie Zimmerman