Silly, unanswerable question#1

[Birdy]

We are two 21 year old men/boys, who have handed in our notices with our respective jobs and girlfriends, and for the next few years we are planning on working and sleeping with that sexy little lady called the road.

We will both have a fair chunk of cash by the time we are free enough to set off and we don't have to be back for anything here for a couple of years at least.

I ride a DRZ, but keep thinking that I would like something smaller to be less obtrusive. I would take any tips on that. We both have a little experience of Western and Eastern Europe, a bit in Northern Africa, and I have worked extensively in the Middle East...

Now comes the silly bit.

We don't know where to go. Not even which way to turn out of my yard! Africa, Asia, Oceania, South America - we just don't know! I personally want to visit everywhere and once and do everything all at the same time. The world is so damn big, that whole global village thing is a total fallacy.

So in conclusion, that rambling mess was appealing to all you experienced travellers to point us in the right direction. Which continent makes most sense for a pair of virgin adventurers to attack first? Where are the borders easiest and the travel best etc etc? You know the kinds of things.

I know I should just let the sense of adventure drive me, spin a globe and point to something - but it can't be a bad thing to get a few experts on the case.

Ps...another important one - where are the drinks cheap and cold and the ladies free and warm?

Thanks.

Happy Riding.

[Walkabout]

Great post!
I have been thinking of a similar question for a little while but you put it much more eloquently - this should raise a lot of good, intelligent replies.

I would add, which continent has the cheapest travel costs?

[juddadredd]

Steal Borrow or Beg a World Glode, close your eyes spin it and where it stops visit there see it's not hard to do. It's not the destination your aiming for it's the JOURNEY to get there, hopefully that makes it clearer.

I'm just wandering around pretty aimless at the moment but so far in the last 3 months of being on the road it's the best way I've found to find new places and meet nice people. I see a sign and follow it might be a local sign might be a sing to the next major town or city BUT I bet you 99% of the time at the end of the road there will be someone who is happy to say hi to you, even if you do smell a bit.

Go explore and don't forget to write a blog so we know that your safe and well, and having the BEST time of your life.

Lee @ f650ridetheworld.com

[Chris D (Newcastle NSW)]

Joel,

Heading off will be a blast. The journey to anywhere is always the best part, just so long as you go slow enough to enjoy the jems along the way and take the side tracks that take you to undreamed of places.

Good luck and happy travels.
Chris

[Chris D (Newcastle NSW)]

Joel,

Lots of border crossings mean greater cultural diversity on your ride, so don't let border crossings deter you. Through Africa there are as many border crossings as you like.

If you like wide open spaces without too many countries try Moscow to Vladivostok, then across Canada.

Chris

[MotoEdde]

Originally Posted by Birdy

So in conclusion, that rambling mess was appealing to all you experienced travellers to point us in the right direction. Which continent makes most sense for a pair of virgin adventurers to attack first? Where are the borders easiest and the travel best etc etc? You know the kinds of things.

I hear South America as no visas or carnets are required and you're already on the continent anyways...but haven't been there. West and North Africa is definitely a challenge and worth it, later on your trip!

Originally Posted by Birdy

Ps...another important one - where are the drinks cheap and cold and the ladies free and warm?

South America again...I hear quite often!

Sadly enough, the route I choose didn't have such 'amenities'...speakking of the hot ladies that is...until I got to Russia and Korea...did I forget about Italy?!?! But Italy wasn't cheap either...

Damn...I might just join you guys...considering the MO...

[Mr. Ron]

Keep the sun to your back and follow the weather!

[jcbp]

Originally Posted by Birdy

. Which continent makes most sense for a pair of virgin adventurers to attack first? Where are the borders easiest and the travel best etc etc? You know the kinds of things.

That's pretty easy if you're currently based in the UK: Europe and Scandinavia. Its got it all - except maybe big desert in terms of terrain and more history than you can dream of. Border formalities are not a problem, health care is good. Most of the continent is cheaper than the UK and the far east is very cheap.

Once you've had a good look at the edges you can slip over into Africa and Asia without much more by the way of shipping than a simple RoRo ferry.

[Madmadsen]

Looks like this will turn into a great thread! As a virgin adventurer I have just come from Australia to Denmark via Japan, Russia, Mongolia, Russia, Finland, Sweden. It's an awesome ride and I didn't find it all that difficult, just the right sort of challenge for a first timer like me. Gives you a good chance to run the bike in (or maybe wear it out!?) and there's not too many borders to worry about. Just never say that you will be in a certin place at a certin time and really enjoy the way. I'm now thinking I did it way too quick and about all the stuff I must have missed. No regrets though!
Scandinavia has the hottest girls but prices are stupid. Mongolia has the cheapest vodka and best pickpockets...And Australia has almost every riding condition you can think of and no borders!

[Birdy]

...get loads of well meaning and educated replies! Who said the age old adage was correct.

'I'm just wandering around pretty aimless at the moment but so far in the last 3 months of being on the road it's the best way I've found to find new places and meet nice people.'

I totally agree with you Lee, there is no more effective way of getting something done than not knowing what you were doing in the first place. Stops you trying too hard and frustrating the outcome! Good advice.

'That's pretty easy if you're currently based in the UK: Europe and Scandinavia. Its got it all - except maybe big desert in terms of terrain and more history than you can dream of. Border formalities are not a problem, health care is good. Most of the continent is cheaper than the UK and the far east is very cheap.'

Being based in the UK does make continental Europe very easy to reach. I know it often gets dismissed by a lot of Brits, but it is so culturally rich that we really should pay a little bit more than lip service to our continental friends. Even if they do all hate us. Damn their continued jealousy over the empire we lost decades ago! Scandanavia would hammer our budget though, with their food/petrol/alcohol prices - we would have to get lean, go dry, and push our bikes everywhere! Maybe it is worth it for their famous ladies though? Hehehe.

'Damn...I might just join you guys...considering the MO...'

It's a big party and everyone is welcome.

'Lots of border crossings mean greater cultural diversity on your ride, so don't let border crossings deter you. Through Africa there are as many border crossings as you like. '

Good point, well made. When you look at it like that it makes a lot of sense. Plus you get to use up more spaces in your passport, so you can get kudos with those silly girls who take Lonely Planet as gospel and are always asking everyone on the road for weed. Seriously though, I have a bit of border fear. Because I have only ever crossed European borders, or flown into countries then back out of the same one - I have never had the experience. I am sure once you get into them, it's pretty simple - but all the visa del douane export customs carnet de laissez faire stuff is quite confusing for a newbie!

Thanks for the continued assistance and all the nice things said. You make me want to meet people like you on the road.

Happy Riding.

Joel

[nickthedesigner]

I'm hoping there's more info coming out of this thread too. I'm in pretty much the same boat as you guys, not knowing where I want to go. I keep looking at my MAHUSIVE map on the wall and getting confused as to which way to go. I think if I manage to find a riding partner who has at lease a loose idea about where he wants to go then that mightn't be a bad idea! Otherwise I'll be the one on the XT660 doing laps of the M25 looking rather confused... though all the people in the service stations are so friendly...
I lived in Asia for 3.5 years (India and Thailand) working as a motorcycke designer, so know I love it there. What's the Middle East like? Where were you? I have friends in Dubai and Oman so was tempted to head there, but I know very little about it. Perhaps that's a good reason to go... Then could hop across the Gulf of Oman to Iran or Pakistan and hit Asia...

So many choices!

Nick

(Sorry for the lack of tangible input chaps!)

[Flyingdoctor]

Don't write Scandinavia off, it can be done on a budget. I just checked my last trip. 17 days, channel crossing then up to the Puttgarden ferry. 12 full days in Scandinavia and back via bergan. Food and fuel £395. Cash £210, ferries: Channel £37, Germany-denmark £25, Malmo bridge £13, Bergan-UK £200. Total £880. Door to door £52 per day. I camped most of the time but had 5 nights in cabins (£25 - £35 per night). I had 2 or 3 tins a night. Guinness is £2.60 a 500ml can. Other stuff about the same. If you want a piss up speak to the locals. You can get a pint for 50p in Bergen during happy hour. Reverts to £7 after 6pm though !! Unleaded £1 a litre. Norway is worth every penny.

[Birdy]

'I keep looking at my MAHUSIVE map on the wall and getting confused as to which way to go.'

That's exactly the situation we were in! Tom (the other half of this idiotic plan) had the map on the wall, and we have stared at it for years. We would look at any random bit of it and say 'I wish we were going there.' It's taken us since we were about 14 years old to actually get this far. We had a 'planning meeting' last night, where lots of wine got drank and lots of wish list pins got joined up with a wiggly line on his map.

'Otherwise I'll be the one on the XT660 doing laps of the M25 looking rather confused'

If we see you we'll pull over, we'll be the blokes on a yellow DRZ and a green KLR, looking confused and doing anticlockwise laps looking for the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal and the Heart of Africa.

'What's the Middle East like?'

Warm. Sandy. Sometimes beautiful, sometimes dangerous. I really like the Arab people and their way of life, and there are a lot of really really amazing sights to see. The best bit is without a doubt the people though, most of the time, the scenery can be very dull - desert...desert...desert, ooh it's rained and now it's a bogging filthy swamp..desert. And so on. I've only worked extensively in Iraq, but I have also spent time in Kuwait and Qatar.

'I lived in Asia for 3.5 years (India and Thailand) working as a motorcycke designer.'

Cool job, working somewhere has got to be the best way to find out about places. I also suppose that you are pretty much guarenteed a job when you return from your travels, which is nice. I don't have such a definite or marketable skill set, so it could be a little more awkward for me. My travelling partner is in CAD, so he's probably going to walk straight in to a decent job when he gets back too. BarSteward.

'Don't write Scandinavia off, it can be done on a budget'

Good work, I'm impressed, and it sounds like you had a decent time - there may have to be some Scandinavian action (is it me or does that sound naughty?) on our little jaunt.

'you want a piss up speak to the locals. You can get a pint for 50p in Bergen during happy hour. Reverts to £7 after 6pm though '

Seven quid for a pint! That's enough to make a man sober. Although first time I read that I read 'Perverts' for £7, I thought 'how refreshingly open minded and thoroughly continental!'

Happy riding.

Joel.

[PeerG]

Hi, I've been asked to give my opinion here cause I "have expressed a strong wish to go to one particular location". I want to go to South America, for different reasons (language, culture, scenery, friends etc.). Actually it's not the question where in the world I'll go on the bike but how I'll get around in South America...
Is there no place you always wanted to go to?
My suggestion would be - surprise! - South America (maybe starting in the US), although our reasons may not be entirely the same.
The Dollar is cheap, so you can travel there from the US without spending a fortune (much cheaper than Western/Northern Europe). You are English so the American girls will love you for your accent, even if you are from the north, you'd be "oh my gawd, like sooo sophisticated" ;-) And they have a reputation for being easy.
Also I think the US would be an easy way to get used to travelling on the bike, everything you'll need will be available. Once you reach Central America, you'll have the experience of thousands of miles on the road.
South America is dead cheap, people (at least the ones I've met) are very laid back, welcoming and they love their fiestas. I haven't been to a place where it was so easy to have a good time. The language is easy to pick up and, if you go to Brazil, so are the ladies (at least that's what I've been told). Argentines may be a challenge, but well worth it (I couldn't believe my eyes when I was there). Not sure about the other countries though.
Not that I would be even remotely interested in these things, as I said language, culture and scenery are my motivation ;-)
Also I should add that I haven't done this before, some of the above is just my theory...
As for difficult border crossings: You'll be travelling for months, what difference does a day or two at the border make?
There it is, my two cents.

[Martynbiker]

spain is cheap...... 2 euros a pint most places unless its on the costas
inland its quiet, cheap and great roads and scenery.

as for where to go, try this trick.....

ring up 10 random people that you dont know ( use the phone book and be polite, say you are doing a survey) and ask them, if they had the opportunity to do what you are planning to do, where would they go?
then see if more than one person picks the same place....

if so its popular......... which means it will be crowded

avoid it....... ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!