Biking Around the World (Together)

Yillan

I'm thinking on going on a bit of a trip. I'm coming to the end of my second degree and would like to do something a bit different rather than just heading straight into a job, or into more college. How viable would cycling across the globe be? Obviously I have a lot of questions, and my family would think I am absolutely mad, but I'd like to do it.

I'm not talking about circumnavigating the world in a couple of years, as cool as that would be, but what about doing it in a series of little projects. Or just circumnavigating the globe in a couple of years. I think if it is possible, it would be a great adventure. Since I got the idea, I've been looking up websites and travel blogs of people who have done similar things and I have somewhat of a plan. I'm not sure if it is that viable, I'm just testing the water.

Are there people on here who would consider spending a couple of months cycling across a part of the world? Let's say a group of people decided to go on a huge cycling tour. We'd plot our route and head off. One of the main advantages of traveling alone is that you chose your own path and don't have to bow to the wishes of the majority, however the practical disadvantages are great.

Now lets say that the group of cyclists is 100 strong. Some people want to go in one direction, while some others want to go in another. Everybody chooses their own path, but because there is such a big group, nobody is going to be left on their own and nobody is going to be disappointed. A date and a common meeting area is set up. Somewhere popular where spending a couple of nights waiting for the other group would not be out of the question.

Do you get what I'm saying? As an example, say we arrive in Budapest and while some people want to go to Warsaw, others are less interested and would prefer to go to Minsk, while more would prefer to bypass both and head straight to Riga. 25 go to Minsk. 40 go to Warsaw and the rest head off a few days ahead of us straight to Riga. Contacting each other would not be difficult and in the event that someone wants to go somewhere else, that's possible too. No need to go alone. Call your friend from Cork and ye can both have the craic in Kaunas. With a major rendezvous set up somewhere like Moscow for swapping stories, having a few pints, catching up and planning the next journey down to Mongolia.

As I mentioned at the start. The traveling would be done by bike. Regardless of level. Its an idea for all ages really. Those lagging behind can catch up easily while those faster can arrive in the main destinations with a few days to spare.

With a large group, sponsorship would not be difficult to get.

This idea is full of holes, but I'm very open to suggestions, criticisms and advice.

What else are you going to do for the next year?

Notch000

is cycling around the world in 1 yr a little optomistic ?????

dory

Notch000 wrote: »

is cycling around the world in 1 yr a little optomistic ?????

Other than the last line I don't think there's much mention of doing it in one year tbh.

I've been looking at a group called Tour d'Afric (not sure of spelling). They do a 4.5 month cycle from Cairo to Capetown. Next time I have €10,000 to spare I'm going to sign up.

I'd definitely be up for this though! I'd love to cycle down through Africa but anywhere else would do too.

But getting a group together and doing Africa would prob be my first mission. You have to pay the tour company €7,000. There must be some way of organizing it ourselves and doing it cheaper.

AFC_1903

I decided on Thursday to leave Ireland in the first half of next year to go travelling. I'll probably be travelling with friends, but have no problems splitting off fron them for a while. I'd be interested in a cycle, but not as an official thing, just as a transport/travel thing. When/if you have plans in place, do let me know.

The Africa thing sounds cool, but I don't think I'd be up for that purely from a safety point of view. Much of Africa is very dangerous - especially if you stand out (white-skinned tourists WILL stand out!), and the intense heat would not be my thing. I'd estimate that a good bit of the money the travel company require would be to ensure your safety - a price worth paying!

Yillan

I'm running ideas past a few people, so I'll keep you updated.

Keep the comments and advice coming. Most people from other forums are saying that it will be a lot more difficult than I am proposing, but it is really just an informal thing. A group of people going for a bit of a cycle

Neamhshuntasach

I've met a few people who have been cycling through central America and to be honest i just don't know how they do it. It's all very mountainous. They must be bollixed. I'd prefer a motorbike if i was gonna do that. But having seen and talked to some of them, yeah it's very possible. But for the moment i'm gonna stick to the buses. Meet more people that way.