You gotta love the internet. You can spend 10 hours looking up the intricate details on how to repair an electronic component, or you can spend 2 minutes and buy it receiving it with free shipping from China a few days later. A wonderful source of information for those looking to plan routes, trips, or simply live vicariously through others experiences also exists, specifically for bicycle touring.
I’m going to share a bunch of journals, and blogs that have gotten me fired up throughout the past year or so of planning if you are looking for something to read while I’m hibernating before the big trip in March, 2010
The Travelling Two- Andrew and Friedel Grant set off in 2006 go head around the world. They completed their tour after 3 years in the saddle, settling in Holland to start a new chapter in their life. The website has a wealth of information relating to traveling through different countries, equipment reviews, and an impressive gallery of photos.
Going Slowly – Tyler Kellen & Tara Alan, a young couple from the Midwest United States have been on the road for about 7 months, starting in Scotland, currently getting ready to spare themselves from the cold by hanging about in North Africa for the winter. Tyler’s a very tech oriented guy, and has some very cool logging of specifics of the day to day aspects of the trip, not to mention that they designed and carry around an oven with them!
Powercycling – Scott Mullin decided his best course of action was to hop on his bike in Florida, somehow finding himself in Alaska a few months later. I met him in September of 2009 when travelling the Pacific Coast Highway, with his destination being Argentina. He’s an easy going guy who’s got some serious muscles from the amount of gear he’s carrying!
A honeymoon to remember – Erin and Sam Barkley obviously decided that a week wasn’t enough after getting married, and have been on the road for almost a year and a half. The writing in this journal is second to none, along with their unique route across Asia. Reading this for the first time put the bug in my head that I absolutely must go through Mongolia.
Down the Road – Tim and Cindie Travis, set out on their bikes in 2002 and continue to pedal, with no plans to ever stop. They’re an enterprising couple, having written two books to assist in supporting their travels worldwide. There is an absolute abundance of information to be found on these pages for anyone wanting to start touring or simply to stretch their jaw muscles while they drop to the floor.
Family on Bikes – The Vogel family, have opted for home schooling their two sons. What’s even better, is that instead of showing them pictures of geographical landmarks, they are pedalling to them! Currently in South America, their destination is Argentina as well.
Oris Barber – As with the family above, age means nothing for those who have a goal. I met Oris Barber on my Pacific Coast tour, heading up the notorious Crescent City Hills. He’s 74, and rides a Trek touring bike with over 91,000 miles on it. Let’s see him hit 100,000!
There are thousands of other stories out there on the internet, of people who have decided to achieve a goal, specifically relating to seeing the world by bike, as opposed to another form of transportation. All it takes is one thought, and rolling with it..
