Precisely two months from right this moment I’m going to go away on my eleventh bike tour. Sure, I stated that appropriately. This shall be my eleventh long-distance journey by bike!
However my upcoming journey goes to be a bit totally different from my earlier bicycle excursions. The truth is, it’s going to be in contrast to every other bike tour I’ve ventured on prior to now.
“Why is that?” you ask.
Nicely, the rationale this journey goes to be so totally different is as a result of in contrast to my earlier ten bicycle touring adventures the place I traveled from one location to the following on my very personal bicycle, I’m going to conduct this upcoming tour and not using a bicycle of any sort.
That’s proper, I’m touring to South America and not using a bicycle of my very own… and as soon as I get there I’ll be compelled to discover a bike that I can experience throughout the continent.
Typically, this isn’t the method you need to take. Once you go on an extended distance bicycle tour, you often need to journey on a motorbike that you’re aware of, comfy using, and know which you can rely upon to get you from the beginning of the tour to the end. Prior to now, I at all times used my very own bicycle on my cycle touring adventures and there have been some particular perks in touring that approach.
However the fact is, I’m a bit bored by conventional bicycle touring ways. After ten years of long-distance biking, I’m anxious to do one thing totally different, difficult and distinctive.
That’s why, once I journey to South America is two-month’s time, I’m going to go there with nothing however a backpack and a plan to journey for six months straight, from one aspect of the continent to the opposite.
At this time limit, I’m nonetheless unsure the place I’ll begin my South American journey or the place I would finish it, however my plan at this level is to land in some South American nation (I’m considering Brazil, however don’t quote me on that) across the starting of December after which touring from there within the path of Peru and Columbia.
Very very like I did final 12 months when touring with my bicycle by means of Europe, I plan to lease small flats alongside the best way, proceed working (so I can truly make some cash whereas I’m touring), and actually get to know particular components of the international locations I discover myself passing by means of.
As I journey, I’ll both search for bicycles to lease and experience for a pair days earlier than returning, or I’ll search for an affordable bicycle to purchase after which later promote or give away on the finish of my tour.
My superb scenario could be to search out an outdated, rusty, South American junker and experience it throughout the continent. However till I get down there, it’s nearly unattainable to inform whether or not or not I’ll be capable of discover such a motorbike. My fingers are crossed.
The truth of the scenario is, this can be a harmful transfer. I may very simply get to South America, discover that the bicycles there are ill-equipped for my wants, and by no means find yourself shopping for a bicycle in any respect. Renting a bicycle could be a horrible concept as effectively. I actually don’t know!
However that’s what makes a visit like this so thrilling… and I believe will probably be enjoyable to spend my first a number of weeks in South America looking for a motorbike. On the very least, will probably be a great way to satisfy folks and get to know my new environment.
At this time limit, two months out from my eleventh long-distance bicycle touring journey, that is what I do know:
I’ve rented out my residence in Park Metropolis, Utah for six months (from December 1, 2010 – Could 1, 2011).
I’m going to journey to South America throughout this time.
I’ll go to South America with a backpack, my laptop computer pc, two cameras, and a change of garments (no bicycle).
As soon as I get to South America, I’ll journey about, proceed working, and search for a bicycle to both lease or purchase.
Every little thing else continues to be up within the air at this time limit.
Over the following a number of weeks I’ll publish a minimum of one new article per week in regards to the planning course of for my upcoming journey to South America (this text shall be along with all of the common new content material featured right here on BicycleTouringPro.com). With these new weekly articles, I’ll be sharing with you:
The place precisely I plan to go in South America.
How I plan out my route.
Estimates on how a lot I plan to spend throughout my 6-month journey.
An in depth packing listing for the journey.
And a complete lot extra!
My “bicycle tour and not using a bike” is definitely going to be a problem, however it’s additionally going to be a complete lot of enjoyable!
Have you ever ever gone on a motorbike tour and rented a bicycle or purchased a brand new bike when you reached the beginning location of your tour? If that’s the case, how did that end up? Let me know by leaving a remark under.
Picture by Rowen of Ravara
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