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YAWTT (Yet Another World Trip Thread)
Greetings,
My name is Jason, I live in the U.S. and I'm planning an around-the-world trip for a charity (Oxfam). While I've never done anything long-distance like this, I've been cycling exclusively for transportation since around 1994 and I'm an improv sort of guy anyway. Looked through the groups and while there are some good posts and lots of great links, I still have some (mostly) unanswered questions. I'd prefer answers from people with direct experience but I'm not about to insult theorists in the process. So experience preferred, anyone welcome. =) 1) Recumbent, trike or upright? I've been cycling for about 10 years for 100% of my transportation, all of it on a mountain-style bike. My current bike is a Cannondale and I like it, but it isn't the most comfortable thing in the world and frankly, I think I'd greatly enjoy the sit-back style of a 'bent and the lowered wind resistance. If I assume that a recumbent/trike gives me 25% less drag than an upright and that I'll be cycling at 15mph average for four hours per day (just for comparison sake, that probably won't be my speed), my calculations show I'll be about 140 miles ahead of an upright after only a week. On the other hand, there is the issue of spare parts, durability and getting it on transportation, which I will need to do on rare occasions (like crossing the Atlantic), but not generally. 2) Country Access. I have found the U.S. State Department list of countries (http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/...ures_1229.html) but I'm guessing there is an easier way of doing this. Have there been any people who just *went* and dealt with these issues as they moved along? 3) Map Software. Currently I'm using Autoroute UK but that's only for the UK leg of the trip. I'm considering resorting to honest-to-god physical maps. Again, suggestions? I'll eventually have to move all the data to a Palm (or Vaio, or whatever) so a software solution is much preferred. 4) Terrain. Assuming I stick to major cities (Bologna, Milan, Algiers, Paris, Berlin, etc.) and traveling between them directly, can I assume paved roads? Are there stretches where a recumbent/trike are simply impossible to use? On the opposite side, are there situations in which there are ONLY major roads and bikes aren't allowed on? That's it for now but I'm SURE there will be more questions. Thanks much in advance, Jason |
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I'd prefer answers from people with direct experience but I'm not about
to insult theorists in the process. So experience preferred, anyone welcome. =) I haven't ridden around the world. I did take a 12-month 17,700 mile ride through Australia, USA, India and New Zealand (http://www.mvermeulen.com/oneyear/). I am also in early stages of dreaming and scheming of another long ride, hopefully across Asia. 1) Recumbent, trike or upright? I've been cycling for about 10 years for 100% of my transportation, all of it on a mountain-style bike. My current bike is a Cannondale and I like it, but it isn't the most comfortable thing in the world and frankly, I think I'd greatly enjoy the sit-back style of a 'bent and the lowered wind resistance. I have seen people do both and either can be made to work. However I personally don't see a 25% less drag on my recumbent than on my touring bike. In the developed world, I don't think you will have a big difference between a recumbent, trike or mountain-style bike. However, I personally would favor a mountain bike since in the developing world, you'll see some rough roads and the 26" wheel/tube is more common than others (particularly if your recumbent/trike has different size wheels). In any case, I'd recommend doing a "shakedown trip" or two with your intended bicycle. For example, try a week or so ride along some representative terrain/area before starting out. 2) Country Access. I have found the U.S. State Department list of countries (http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/...ures_1229.html) but I'm guessing there is an easier way of doing this. Have there been any people who just *went* and dealt with these issues as they moved along? Visas and health issues can be a big blocker on a trip like this, so particularly for some of the developing countries I think you'll need to do such legwork. That isn't to say you'll probably still be adjusting some as you go along since that is the nature of a trip like this. There is a well written book, "One More Horizon" about Scott Zamek's trip "from Ohio to Hong Kong the Long Way". Scott did some level of just going and dealing with these issues along the way and you can read about some of the outcomes in his book. Ed Gennochio's recent trip from UK to Hong Kong via Russia, Mongolia, China is also an interesting read (http://www.2wheels.org.uk/). Ed crossed less countries and did a little more planning up front but still had to work with the unexpected after his bicycle was stolen. As I'm scheming about my next long trip in 2007(?), a strong possibility is to bicycle across Russia. One of the attractions to doing this is a new road was opened across Siberia in 2004. Hence fewer visas to get. As I think of crossing Asia, it seems like the "classic route" via Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan/India , China? (or other way around Myanmar) has become more difficult these past years, particularly on a US/UK passport. As a shakedown trip in 2006, I'm thinking of a several week ride in European Russia to get a better feel to plan for a ride across Siberia. 3) Map Software. Currently I'm using Autoroute UK but that's only for the UK leg of the trip. I'm considering resorting to honest-to-god physical maps. Again, suggestions? I'll eventually have to move all the data to a Palm (or Vaio, or whatever) so a software solution is much preferred. I tend to get physical maps. If I can find them, I like them with both English and non-English place names. This way I can point at the map and ask a local for directions. I also sometimes find myself writing out place names on index cards since locals don't always understand my pronunciation. 4) Terrain. Assuming I stick to major cities (Bologna, Milan, Algiers, Paris, Berlin, etc.) and traveling between them directly, can I assume paved roads? Are there stretches where a recumbent/trike are simply impossible to use? On the opposite side, are there situations in which there are ONLY major roads and bikes aren't allowed on? I think there is a large variety of options through Europe and others can better describe alternatives there. The Trento Bike Pages (http://www-math.science.unitn.it/Bike/) are a particularly good source there. The key questions for me would be more in the developing world. What are you thinking of in crossing Asia? Will you be riding across Africa or parts of South America? Once you get east of the EU, how to make sure your Visa's are in place, etc. I would get answers to these questions by reading trip reports, asking in forums like this, but particularly trying a one to three week ride in some places like Morocco, Ukraine or Turkey to try out equipment and get more of a feel for cycling in similar places. --mev, Mike Vermeulen |
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