Has anyone actually done it?

[Baron Goose]

Has anyone reading these words actually done the proper world motorcycling trip? Neither of us have, and we're interested to know what it does to you.

Who has been travelling on their motorcycle for over a year? Who has left all that they know, behind.

We're on here (HUBB) at least a few times a week, and we've been in the saddle for a good few hours, but that certainly doesn't set us apart from anyone else on here.


So can we have some input from people that have done a year plus bike tour.

What's it all about?

[XT GIRL]

Originally Posted by Baron Goose

Has anyone reading these words actually done the proper world motorcycling trip? Neither of us have, and we're interested to know what it does to you.

Who has been travelling on their motorcycle for over a year? Who has left all that they know, behind.

We're on here (HUBB) at least a few times a week, and we've been in the saddle for a good few hours, but that certainly doesn't set us apart from anyone else on here.


So can we have some input from people that have done a year plus bike tour.

What's it all about?

Welcome, nice to meet you and all that stuff!

Great to know you're on here so often -- but that said -- you must know that there we HAVE had LOADS and LOADS of input from "people who have done it" There are hordes of Travel Reports and blogs published on this site for you to dig into.

And lots of books by 'real travellers' - beginning with Jupiter's Travels, which will give you all the insight you need into: "WHATS THAT ALL ABOUT" -- have you read any?

Uhm... I personally think... that what sets "them" apart.. is they don't sit around in front of their screens, endlessly READING about other people's adventures... or responding to questions like this on forums... they're probably just out there doing it?

Real travellers, who have DONE IT... are probably right now too busy planning, or DOING IT again... to answer the question again (especially after they have taken the time to write books about it already).


That said -- have you done any interesting trips/outings?? Would be good to hear YOUR stories!

[Charlotte Goose]

Hey XT, to introduce I am one half of Baron Goose - me and the other, Baron Bolton are good friends and we set up our joint user organising our mini meet in August (check it out - Summer HUMP)...anyway, I digress......

After the pub last night, and the usual planning and crystal ball excitabled conversation about our imminent RTW trip we wondered how many people's lives had changed.....and how....and why.....that was the purpose of the post...we have both read probably every book on the subject but you end up putting the authors on pedestals and see them as an exception rather than the rule.

For me and Baron we anticipate (but not expect) that our lives wil be utterly different, when we come back after two plus years, thats if we even come back after two years, and havent found a new place to call home.

I suppose what we were concentrating on was the actual travelling effect. What effect does having a mindset of whatever whenever in conjuction with a new cultures and new landscapes for a long period of time have on you.

As for where and what we've been up to.... I will let Baron speak for himself, but for me, Europe Malaysia Thailand Cambodia and Laos with a bike (parts of, Africa, South, Central and North America, and India without bike).

Cheers m'dear

Char

[AliBaba]

Originally Posted by Baron Goose

Has anyone reading these words actually done the proper world motorcycling trip? Neither of us have, and we're interested to know what it does to you.

I guess I would fit into your category.
It’s not easy to give an answer on “what it does to you”. What does marriage do to you, or the death of a friend? People respond differently and there is probably not a correct answer.
Other then your personality there is a lot of factors, like:

• Do you go alone?
• Where do you go?
• Why do you go?
• Who do you spend time with when you travel?
• ++++

Personally I find the first question very important. If you travel with someone you often create your own “world”. Your friend will always be there when you stop for a brake or wake up in the morning or when things go wrong. It will also somewhat reduce your contact with the locals.
If you are at a place you don’t feel safe at all, it will feel safer with a friend.
Maybe most important of all if you travel with a friend you have someone to share the stuff with when you go back. It’s impossible to explain to someone how it is to cross the jungle in the rainy season, but your partner will know. The people back home will never understand what you have done, and that might be a problem..

For me it looks like people that travel in groups are less affected by the traveling and it’s easier for them to get home.

So this question alone means a lot of “what it does to you”. I guess the other questions might be likely important, depending on your personality.

Some people say that travelers get more tolerant. In a way it’s true, but not always. Traveling often changes your values and mindset. After a while it can be easier to understand the locals then the people back home. Traveling alone can make this point extremely valid.


So basically you might end up restless and misplaced – but it’s worth it! I once wrote an article about this but the editor thought I was insane and he refused to print it. I guess that proves my point because he has published everything else..

[henryuk]

Spot on Alibaba, travelling alone is way way way better in so many ways, immersion into local culture, freedom to take more risks, approachability etc. One other thing I have found about biking alone is that it is like a form of meditation, especially when you have hundreds of miles of largely straight pothole dodging, you just go into a trance, mind totally empty. If one of the reasons you went on the trip was that the western way of life was going to make your head pop then this is an amazing sensation.

[stuxtttr]

Ditto lots of the above however I cant claim to be a true long termer, I have done lots of trips with and without bike. But only up until about six months at a time. I think traveling alone does hight'en the sensation. But I have also found its hard to re adjust and share experiences with people back home who don't seem to understand where you are coming from.

Just as a long road can be a joy it can also be a lonely place when things go wrong I can remember a time when my bike had broke down again and I just sat at the side of the road sobbing thinking what am I doing ?
40 min's later I had the bike fixed and was laughing and singing inside my helmet. Its sometimes nice to only have to worry about yourself.

At this moment in life I hav'nt the time to set off on a big trip and when I get the chance would I do it alone, I'm not sure because I have also found how amazing it is to share expiriences with someone close. Its nice to finish a day and remember a view together than have to keep it in your head.

My next trip is I hope going to be a couple of weeks in India doing the high passes by enfield with my Dad while we still can.

Well until the next trip I will look forward to reading of other peoples adventures and sharing some of the knowledge I may or may not have picked up along the way.

[bmw.bec]

Hi all

Yep I have to agree with Alibaba - you do have to be insane. That said we are some of the few who in a moment of madness sold our house and everything in our name and rode into the sunset on our bikes.

After 18 months we were forced home by injury - otherwise who knows what would have happened. Unfortunatey it changes you alot making it hard to settle in UK life - hence we're off soon.

A long road trips all about not needing to rush, freedom and never really knowing where your going (that may just be us though).

[DLbiten]

AliBaba said it well. Go to a HU meeting and you can talk to some of the crazys that have and do this.

It wont take a year for you to change or riding around the world. First real problem you face will change you or reiforce who you are.

But you already have changed.

Who in there right mind will give up all the comforts of home family and friends. To go places where the people may not like you will rip you off if they can. While doing on it machen that is unstable will give you a rash, vibrates it self and you to death. Gust so you can eat odd food get sick be uncomfertable and put your self in unsafe places. Your family and friends at home will never understand to them its foolish and only a fool will even think about such things. They say things like "You will never get rich doing this." "You will get hurt or die." "why go?" "who are you trying to impress?" "why do you ride when you can drive in a car is safer and has heater and ac" "only grate people can do any thing even close to what your talking about" (funny all this can go with my dead life now)
Bahh I have heard all that from the people that I have talked to. They say there trying to help me I tell them then give me cash but they never do. They just love to try to kill a dream. That has not stopped me they wont stop you only you can stop you. (still trying sell off the house and go.)

What will realy change you is when you get back "home". All I can think about is how much I hate them all and want bonk them on the head steal there cash and ride off. Oh right like im the only one that thinks that. Your house will never look as good as it dose when you ride off.

[*Touring Ted*]

I dont think theres an snobbery on this site for those who have and those who havn't...

You dont need to go for over a year to a "traveller".

In my opinion, it all depends where you go, how hard and demanding your trip was and your personal circumstances and sacrifices..

I've met people who have done a 6 week cross Amazon trip who bled, sweated and cried more than some 12 month plus tarmac hugging, hotel sleeping travellers ever will !!

[ta-all-the-way]

I think owning a bike is a good start. As soon as one get's a break in the work schedule, get out and around. The rest is about having large enough nuts to go for it. What made one move to another country in the first place? How did it feel in the beginning? Would you do it again if given the chance? Are you crazy,lol? I think if one needs the change then it's definitely the right decision. One can't look back after a world trip and say they haven't change. Do what one needs to do to keep sain is all I can say. It's summer, take some leave and head out on the road. I'm heading east from Centre of France in 1 months time, 5 days due east, see were I end up. Take care,
tq-all-the-way