Dévélotour and Totobobo: A Friendship Forged on the Road
byFCon2010-07-26
Cover of Develotour DVD. The ultra lightweight mask they wear is considered by many cyclist the best in the world
🌍 An Eco-Adventurous Journey Across Asia
When it comes to combining sustainability, adventure, and education, Goska Romanowicz and Hervé Bonnaveira are an exceptional duo. Founders of Dévélotour Asia, they embarked on a year-long, 16,000 km cycling expedition from France to Asia — powered entirely by their legs and guided by their commitment to protecting the planet.
Their mission: to travel “without polluting”, observe environmental challenges, and share real-life stories of sustainable initiatives. From the windswept steppes of Kazakhstan to the bustling streets of India, their bicycles became both transportation and a vehicle for environmental education.
Throughout Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, India, Thailand, Vietnam, China, and Mongolia, they discovered the harsh realities of pollution, deforestation, and waste — but also witnessed hope through community-led sustainability projects.
Dévélotour Asia have released a documentary film chronicling their year-long eco-cycling journey from France to Asia, 16,000 kilometers by bicycle, and reporting on environmental challenges along the way.
The lightweight and comfortable Totobobo mask was their chosen respirator for protecting their lungs against severe air pollution. In the video clip below, from 1:05 to 1:38, you can see why such protection was essential — and how the Totobobo mask was used throughout their journey.
Our main problem on India’s roads is air pollution. We struggle to breathe amid the constant stream of motorcycles, cars, and motor rickshaws belching blue smoke, and we soon fall ill. Upon arriving in Delhi, a friend from Singapore sends us anti-pollution masks that he himself designed and produces.
After just six hours of cycling, the test is conclusive — the filter, originally white, has turned completely black.
We are not the only ones suffering from these problems. Locals must breathe this air constantly, and many suffer from respiratory illnesses. Motor vehicles are a major cause, and their number in India is expected to double within the next ten years. For now, cars remain expensive for most Indians, who mainly travel by bicycle or bus.
The TOTOBOBO anti-pollution masks came in very useful in India! We’ve tested the masks in Delhi, the Indian countryside and Calcutta. I can tell how polluted were these cities, by the varying shades of brown on the used filters. Even far from cities and factories, the air is very polluted.
– Goska Romanowicz
Used filters before, inside and after Beijing, each one after 6 hours of pedalling
🚴♂️ When Innovation Meets Adventure: The Totobobo Connection
During their Vietnam leg, Goska and Hervé were joined by Francis Chu, the Singapore-based designer and inventor of the Totobobo Mask, a lightweight, reusable respirator created for cyclists and urban commuters facing air pollution.
For Francis, this was his first long-distance cycling adventure using his own invention. Over nine unforgettable days, he pedaled alongside the Dévélotour team, experiencing the beauty of Vietnam, the kindness of its people, and the challenges of cycling in areas where air pollution was part of everyday life.
“It was an eye-opening experience,” Francis shared. “Seeing the mask perform in real-world conditions helped us better understand its strengths and where we could improve.”
Real-World Testing of the Totobobo Mask
The journey served as a live test of Totobobo’s performance in a variety of conditions — from quiet rural roads to the chaotic traffic of Vietnamese cities.
The results were striking: filters that began pure white turned black within hours, visibly capturing what the cyclists would otherwise breathe in. The transformation of those filters was a simple yet powerful message about air quality and public health.
For Goska and Hervé, who had already crossed heavily polluted regions like northern India and central China, the Totobobo masks were not just protective gear — they were symbols of awareness and change.
Friendship, Collaboration, and a Shared Mission
What began as a short collaboration evolved into a meaningful friendship between eco-adventurers and an inventor, united by a shared mission: to raise awareness about clean air and sustainable living.
“Cycling with Goska and Hervé reminded me that innovation doesn’t happen only in the lab,” Francis said. “It happens out here, on the road, where ideas meet reality.”
Their partnership between Dévélotour and Totobobo illustrates the beautiful intersection of science, sustainability, and adventure — showing that small, thoughtful innovations can make a global difference.
🌱 Pedaling Toward a Cleaner Future
Today, Dévélotour Asia continues to inspire as a model of eco-conscious exploration, while Totobobo remains at the forefront of protective design for cyclists and commuters worldwide.
Though their paths crossed for only nine days, the bond they built — and the lessons learned on those Vietnamese roads — endure. Together, they remind us that every pedal stroke and every breath count in shaping a cleaner, healthier future.
“Whoever sows for sustainable development, reaps the future for generations to come.” — Dévélotour Asia
About the Project
About Dévélotour Asia
Founded by Goska Romanowicz and Dr. Hervé Bonnaveira, Dévélotour Asia is an environmental cycling expedition that covered 16,000 kilometers across Asia to promote sustainable development and eco-conscious living. Through their journey, they documented local solutions to global environmental issues — from water pollution in India to renewable energy projects in Central Asia — inspiring communities to act locally for a cleaner planet.
Designed by Francis Chu in Singapore, the Totobobo Mask is a reusable, lightweight respirator developed for cyclists, travelers, and city dwellers exposed to air pollution. Its transparent design, replaceable filters, and proven performance make it a trusted choice for people seeking clean breathing without sacrificing comfort.
