travelinxs's VirtualTourist Home Page
| Page Views: 8,847 | To Catch A Rainbow by travelinxs - last update: Aug 9, 2009 |
| tea break in the desert, northern Syria |
a bicycle journey east in search of a nice cup of tea~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I started travelling as a young, naďve teenager on 1st February 1986, just after breakfast. It was a grey, sombre Saturday morning. Rain had been forecasted, though it never came. I climbed aboard an old World War 2 army truck and rumbled out of town and across my home county of Devon in England and onward toward Africa.
From that moment on, life would never be the same again.
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So. Why do I travel? I travel because it is who I am. It's what I do. It's no more or less complicated than that. I'm not running 'from' anything. I'm running 'to' everything. There are no spiritual motivations. I'm not trying to find myself, someone else or any resolving states of mind or locales of contentment. It simply induces an all encompassing passion for life in me that is beyond compare. I can't imagine that I will ever stop. Not for anyone or anything. Why would I? I love my life. I have no desire or reason to change it.
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The following journey initially started out as simply an alternative method of travel to reach the Asian Sub-Continent. I bought a bicycle, and with little preparation pedalled off over the horizon. Over time, cycle touring became a part of that travel obsession as I came to realise what a perfect mode of transport the bicycle is. Soon I hope to continue the journey from where I left off, Kathmandu in Nepal, onward to New Zealand. The remainder of the planet awaits as a bonus leg, should I find I have the motivation, the means and anything left of my bicycle to continue...
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Why By Bicycle?
The bicycle is affordable to most; the price can vary upward from the cost of a cheap, one-way airfare.
The bicycle takes you beyond the tourist traps, to the unknown villages and remote countryside.
The bicycle offers the chance to camp in areas unattainable to others. Sometimes, the most beautiful and scenic locations on earth.
The bicycle allows you to travel cheap. There are no bus or train tickets to budget for. No expensive fuel to buy or fuel injectors to replace and often no hotel or restaurants to pay for either.
The bicycle is a relatively simple vehicle. You may have no idea how to replace the drive shaft on a Land Cruiser, but it won't take long to learn how to change a bicycle chain.
The bicycle is environmentally friendly. No nasty fuel or noise pollutants. Fact: A bicycle is more environmentally friendly than a horse!
The bicycle keeps you in shape; you will be less susceptible to illness on the road.
The bicycle can go through, and beyond, any terrain a land vehicle can go. At worst, you can always push it!
The bicycle can travel extraordinary distances.
The bicycle is flexible; It can be carried by bus or train when the going gets too tough. You can take it into your hotel room at night when security is an issue. It can fly home with you as checked in luggage at the end of the trip.
The bicycle allows you to experience the smells, the sounds and even the 'feelings' of the landscape as you ride. You hear the wind in the trees above. Smell the fresh-cut grass at the roadside. Feel the warmth of the people when they smile as you pass them by.
The bicycle is humble. It does little to create resentment or jealousy.
The bicycle offers the ultimate experience in freedom, predefining the spirit of travel.
The bicycle is loved the world over.
The bicycle is the ultimate overland expedition vehicle.
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For my tips and advise for travel by bicycle see ...
Cycle Touring Beyond Borders
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Now for the journey to commence. I hope you will enjoy sharing it with me. |
|  | Europe EnglandDay:0 ... 0km / 0 miles IntroductionDay:13 ... 642km / 399 miles Welcome To My World-------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------
France
Day:15 ... 731km / 454 miles
Slapping On The Oil
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Belgium
Day:17 ... 774km / 481 miles
To Do What No One Has Done Before
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The Netherlands
Day:22 ... 1,126km / 699 miles
The Dutch Meercats
Window Shopping In Amsterdam
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Germany
Day:37 ... 2,043km / 1,269 miles
Dont Mention The ... Weather!
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Czech Republic
Day:50 ... 2,648km / 1,645 miles
Bohemian Bikers
Prague - The City Of Superlatives
The Bone Chapel
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Slovakia
Day:52 ... 2,789km / 1,732 miles
The Problem With Camping
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Hungary
Day:59 ... 3,232km / 2,007 miles
A Confessional
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Romania
Day:60 ... 3,342km / 2,076 miles
Gypsy, Tramp and Thief
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Serbia
Day:67 ... 3,944 / 2,450 miles
The Warm Heart Of Europe
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Macedonia
Day: 71 ... 4,070km / 2,528 miles
Juliet's Big Day
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Greece
Day: 79 ... 4,587km / 2,849 miles
Greek Tragedy
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Turkey
Day:114 ... 5,540km / 3,441 miles
When East Meets West Again |
| | The Middle East |
| | SyriaDay:119 ... 5,540km / 3,441 miles The Passion-------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Lebanon
Day:122 ... (5540km / 3,441 miles)
Hue And Cry
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Syria
Day:140 ... 5,768km / 3,582 miles
In Search Of A Rogue State
The Happy Highway To Iraq
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Turkey
Day:150 ... 6,045km / 3,755 miles
Through Kurdish Lands |
| | South Asia |
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 Comments for travelinxs | | | | |
abi_maha Sat Nov 7, 2009 19:52 UTC
Hi Chris, Happy Bday, and wish you many happy travels this year!! | DAO Sat Nov 7, 2009 17:48 UTC
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRIS !!!! HOPE YOU GET TO A ENJOY A BEER OR 10 ! | Trekki Sat Nov 7, 2009 17:35 UTC
Hey Chris, I wish you a fantastic day today :-)) Did you manage to sort out your plans for Central Asia? | cachaseiro Sat Nov 7, 2009 17:35 UTC
happy birthday mate and greetings from a fellow long distance biker. |
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