Six Continents Without Camping

[nicholastanguma]

Noob here, fellas and ladies, and I'm planning a twelve month-ish ride around every continent except Antarctica. If you guys can help me with my query we can all look forward to a full year, 'round the world Ride Report!

Some important things to note:

1) There IS NO DEADLINE, so there's no need to rush or hurry at all.

2) There IS NO BUDGET, SO MONEY IS NO OBJECT! This means you can give me tons of advice for lodging, sightseeing, etc, and thus vicariously experience whatever adventure you may not be able to experience for yourself.

3) Our main transportation is pavement-oriented streetbikes for big distances, but cycle rental in every city and town and village for more remote off-road sightseeing is definitely part of the plan! Bikes, bikes, bikes, no limits!!!

So here's the question: Is it possible to explore the world minus the Arctic without having to camp? Motels, hotels, hostels, whatever else, can it be done?

[Samy]

Originally Posted by nicholastanguma

2) There IS NO BUDGET, SO MONEY IS NO OBJECT! This means you can give me tons of advice for lodging, sightseeing, etc, and thus vicariously experience whatever adventure you may not be able to experience for yourself.

So here's the question: Is it possible to explore the world minus the Arctic without having to camp? Motels, hotels, hostels, whatever else, can it be done?

Here is the answer: NO, Not possible !

2. One year is never enough for sightseeing, going around all corners of the continents without any hassle or rush.

[pil]

Hello

You would find it very difficult to find camp sites in South East Asia, Hotel and Guest Houses are in abundance everywhere. So the answer is YES for South East Asia.

I do have to agree with the previous post, six continents in one year would leave no time for jaunts into the interior, it would be ride, ride, ride.

Joyce
UK now living in Thailand.

[Lisa Thomas]

like the others said - some areas it will be difficult and camping WILL be the ONLY choice.
Other continents eg. South America, Central ....and parts of East Africa - finding places to stay (not all salubrious though!) shouldn't be too much of a problem.
However......12 months. NO way.
Why 12 months...as you say

"1) There IS NO DEADLINE, so there's no need to rush or hurry at all.

2) There IS NO BUDGET, SO MONEY IS NO OBJECT! This means you can give me tons of advice for lodging, sightseeing, etc, and thus vicariously experience whatever adventure you may not be able to experience for yourself."

no deadline - and no money worries......
take all the time in the World.

we started off saying ours was going to be an 18month - 2 year trip.
almost 8 years on and we are still on the same trip.
have a look at our website.
2ridetheworld.com
email us if you want any advice.
cheers

[nicholastanguma]

Actually, all of you have hit on some points I've already been forced to consider. How felicitious.

1) You're all quite correct: 1 year is not long enough to explore, but we'll be doing the TAT at some point in this trip, which of course entails unavoidable camping, so we're not entirely averse to the notion of roughing it. However, since this trip will be the first of many, and I've never even been outside of the United States, we want to hit major cities this time around and then do off-the-beaten-track sorts of adventures during later adventures. It seems to me most people on this forum and on ADVrider.com usually loathe big cities, but since me and the wifey are city kids, we actually like the hustle and buzz of urban experiences. The traffic, the smog, the annoying light pollution, the overcrowding, the incessant noise, the price gouging, it's all part of urban adventure; Rome, Budapest, London, Paris, Tokyo, Taipei, Seoul, Buenos Aires, Rio, Sau Paulo, Prague, Istanbul, Moscow, Kuala Lampur, New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Berlin, Bangkok, all these cities offer the kind of cultural concentration we want to alternately love and hate. We want to hit museums, stage shows, festivals, street markets, touristy stuff and non-touristy stuff alike. So, connecting lines between Four Seasons worldwide isn't exactly what we have in mind, but in some ways it's not entirely off the mark, either.

By the way, Lisa, I'm quite a follower of yours and Simon's travels (subscribe on Youtube, as well), and that, of course, means I'm quite an admirer. Holy moly, your hubby rode twenty-three days out of the Amazon with a broken neck and you did it with malaria. You two crazy kids are like samurai or ninja or Soviet Spetznaz or something. Sheesh. Power to ya, baby!

[hmadams]

If I were to do the big cities of the world, I'd buy a 1yr RTW airline ticket and rent bikes when I wanted to venture outside the city. No fatigue, more time to take in the sites and doable in a year. This way you can get a feel for the world and where you want to go and maybe places to avoid later, especially if never traveled outside of USA.

Having never traveled abroad, especially on motorcycle, you should not underestimate the fatigue and desire to return home that sets in early, this feeling will pass if one perseveres. Make sure you and your partner are up for an adventure, because if one is miserable--both will be. Maybe a quick trip to Mexico City this Xmas will give you a feel as to what to expect.

BTW, I have traveled extensively outside US and while I have done the large cities I have a preference for off the beaten path places and 3rd world countries, I especially enjoy Africa.

You are indeed fortunate to be able to undertake such a sojourn. With the right attitude it will be nothing short of enlightening. Bon Voyage.

[nicholastanguma]

Muchos gracias for your insight! However, the fatigue, homesickness, and inherent difficulties associated with long distance travel by moto are exactly what we want! If there's no hardship then there will be no personal development or opportunity for maturing, either. We want to be forced waaay out of our comfort zones. Then, later, when we're a little more experienced, we want to forced even farther out by leaving the hotels behind altogether.

Hence this trip.

Thank you all for your experience and insight and wisdom. Keep it coming!

[Ride Far]

Couple of thoughts.

It’s, um, an adventure unto itself riding large cylinder bikes thru such cities as Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paolo, Mexico City, Istanbul, etc. Whatever your U.S. riding experience, don’t underestimate the skill, nerve and luck that it takes to navigate unscathed a large-cylinder bike thru reckless urban traffic in the worst of foreign cities. A screaming aftermarket horn is a good investment ...!

As I’m sure you know, street signage in less developed foreign cities ranges from poor to non-existent, and GPS maps usually don’t offer much street-level detail. Some people tear out or photocopy city center maps from Rough Guide / Lonely Planet and use them in the tank bag map window. A little thing but it saves time and aggravation.

Re renting bikes for “more remote off-road sightseeing” … eh. IMHO, forget that. Choose dual-sport 650 singles that can take you anywhere.

Any bike you might find for rental in Southeast Asia, Africa or South America will likely be small cylinder say 250 cc. Fuel capacity will be a problem if you are bound for “remote” locations. Riding an unfamiliar bike compromises your safety, simply because it takes time to develop a feel for your moto. And it would probably be a Chinese model with drum brakes, poor handling etc.

And how do you pack it properly …? Saddlebags, tank bag, other luggage etc. And meanwhile your “real” bikes and excess luggage would be … where? A hassle all the way around.

Re hotels/camping, there’s almost always some sort of accommodation to be found in any town. But you want to bring a tent/sleeping bag in case you get a flat at dusk on the Bolivia altiplano and it’s cold and raining and you’re 50 miles from the nearest town. Good luck.

[hmadams]

Originally Posted by nicholastanguma

Muchos gracias for your insight! However, the fatigue, homesickness, and inherent difficulties associated with long distance travel by moto are exactly what we want! If there's no hardship then there will be no personal development or opportunity for maturing, either. We want to be forced waaay out of our comfort zones. Then, later, when we're a little more experienced, we want to forced even farther out by leaving the hotels behind altogether.

Hence this trip.

Thank you all for your experience and insight and wisdom. Keep it coming!

Knowing what's ahead as far as comfort, homesickness, etc. and accepting it, makes a ton of difference. Wanting to turn back will probably be your biggest hurdle and sounds like you have the right attitude to make the leap.
When do you plan to leave and what direction are you heading? I ride every summer and xmas, can't wait to break free in a few years and travel til I am physically unable to. Like to hit the 1000 places and things to do list. Have a great trip, keep us posted and never regret for a second what you are doing. Ciao.

[markharf]

....the fatigue, homesickness, and inherent difficulties associated with long distance travel by moto are exactly what we want! If there's no hardship then there will be no personal development or opportunity for maturing, either. We want to be forced waaay out of our comfort zones."

You've got a great attitude, but an excess of hubris. Add a bit of humility to the mix and you'll do fine. Just don't forget that what for you qualifies as the adventure of a lifetime is for all those around you just life as it's generally lived. You're not Prometheus, and neither are most of those posting here (including me, that's for sure).

Personally, I travel the developing world (among other places) by bike because it's so much easier and more predictable than traveling the same sorts of places without the bike. I've had my fill of crazed matatu drivers, getting peed on by the goat on the roof of the tro-tro, trying to find a place to do my morning squat among Mozambiquan landmines, waiting in the hot sun for the local transport that might come today, might come tomorrow, etc. etc. etc. Believe me, a bike and a couple of plastic cards make all the difference. I'm solidly into my fifties, and I figure I've earned the right to take it the easy way for a change.

So is that where you're at? Middle-aged and looking to take it easy, play it safe, evade challenges? If not, what's all the talk about hardship and personal growth? That's what I mean about losing the hubris; you're REALLY not Prometheus.

Clarifying note: most of us sounded just like you do at one point or another. Some of us still do, from time to time. But it's not very dignified.

Safe journeys!

Mark

[thecanoeguy]

what i suggest is that you buy me a bike as well and i will lead you on a brilliant trip and definately will show you luxury ,i normally sleep under a bit of tin or in a hole so it would be a great change
dave

[nicholastanguma]

Well, thecanoeguy Dave, I may not be so disinclined toward such an offer as you have made,

[nicholastanguma]

Cheers, mates!

[bananaman]

Bashing advrider won't get you any brownie points over here,
Every rider you bashed on advrider is also known here on the Hubb. Many of us have actually met, or have at least met mutual riders.

[nicholastanguma]

Bananaman! How nice to see you, too, me owd mate! Good times and good people just do get around, eh?