Marcus Nordlund is a resident of Sundbyberg, Sweden who lately accomplished a bicycle tour from Skopje, Macedonia to Thessaloniki, Greece. Right here’s what he needed to say about his journey:
Why did you turn out to be eager about bicycle touring? And the place precisely did you go throughout your bicycle tour?
I made a decision I wished to get out of my consolation zone, so in the course of the fall of 2012 I made a decision to strive bicycle touring, a lot because of Kate Harris and TOURING-BICYCLE for being massive fountains of inspiration.
The nations in query are Macedonia, Albania and Greece, from Skopje in Macedonia to Thessaloniki in Greece.
What was your largest worry when planning or getting ready in your journey by bike? And the way precisely did you overcome that worry?
I used to be actually scared that I used to be gonna get robbed or have issues stolen from me. I’ve had points about costly stuff that I’ve owned for so long as I can keep in mind, my head tells me I must put on silk gloves when repairing the bike for instance. So I used to be very anxious about loosing stuff and really by no means thought a lot concerning the issues that turned out to be actual points, risks whereas bicycling and my health situation.
I overcame my fears largely due to fatigue, once I reached no matter vacation spot I used to be going for I used to be pressured to belief individuals. I needed to belief that the bike could be secure, I needed to go away the bicycle out of sight for minutes right here and there and in the long run of the journey I actually suppose I had made main progress with reference to those points even when I weren’t “cured” but.
What was the factor you appreciated most about your bicycle touring expertise?
What I beloved about my journey was that it bolstered my perception in individuals, that they’re variety at coronary heart. I additionally was spoiled foolish by all of the panoramic views and wonder that surrounded me in numerous components of the journey. Lastly, I loved being within the second. I had concepts firstly of my tour that I might kind out my life and ponder on points from my on a regular basis life, however I didn’t. It turned out I used to be very “proper now” in my mindset whereas on the market and infrequently ventured off into ideas concerning the previous or the long run once I was on the market.
What was the factor you appreciated LEAST about your bicycle touring expertise… and the way did you suppose that side of your travels might be improved upon sooner or later?
I actually disliked the canine. No, I hated the canine! I’m a canine particular person however I’m pondering of adjusting faith to cat worshiper!
On a severe word, the quantity of unfastened canine on the journey actually took away fairly a giant chunk of the bicycling expertise once they come operating like possessed while barking. At occasions I simply wished to scream out loud in fury. I discovered that for those who truly decelerate, nearly to a halt, they’re much less prone to truly do something apart from barking. I don’t wanna begin searching for stones or sticks nor having like spray with me if I can go away it. Nevertheless, I suppose it relies on the state of affairs.
I additionally had extra issues with hills than anticipated. I needed to stroll with the bike for fairly prolonged quantities of time in the course of the steeper climbs largely as a result of I used to be so unfit. However one other massive cause I needed to stroll my bike was attributable to how a lot the bicycle weighed and the street circumstances – particularly in Macedonia and Albania.
What one piece of data from the web site at www.bicycletouringpro.com helped you essentially the most in planning, getting ready for, or executing your bicycle tour?
I had massive assist from the components about stretching and enthusiastic about your using place in relation to your seat and handlebars.
Title three belongings you realized out of your bicycle tour:
I realized that I’m extra succesful to handle conditions of all types than I anticipated.
I realized that Albania is a poor, bizarre, stunning and pleasant nation.
I realized {that a} constructive view on issues and folks is vital.
Do you suppose you’ll conduct extra bicycle excursions sooner or later? If that’s the case, the place do you wish to go? And why do you wish to go there?
Sure, I might like to proceed from Thessaloniki down by Turkey alongside the coast and western Europe in addition to USA are additionally objectives I wish to check out sooner or later.
What one piece of recommendation would you give to somebody who’s planning their first bicycle touring journey?
Take into consideration the way you wanna journey and do not forget that you need to get all of your gear up and down stairs, hills and whatnot, so packing much less is at all times a good selection.
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