Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > All Miscellaneous questions > Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else
Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Like Tree4Likes
  • 1 Post By navalarchitect
  • 1 Post By Warin
  • 1 Post By motoreiter
  • 1 Post By mark manley

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 26 Nov 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 2
Is This Doable?

Hi all,

First time posting on this community; from what I've seen of the website so far it seems to be the best place to ask. I'm 17 years old on the East Coast of the USA, and I'm planning a gap year trip across Eurasia next year before I head off to college. When I first cooked up the plan for the trip I was thinking I'd do it entirely via trains, buses, hitchhiking and solo trekking: my general route plan was to start from Western Europe (Portugal? Gibraltar?), through Central Europe into the Balkans, through Ukraine or Turkey into the Caucasus, to Kazakhstan and all of the Central Asian countries, into Northwest China to Mongolia, through Mongolia to Siberia, out east to the coast of Russia and then down south through China and Indochina to end up in Singapore.

My initial plan has been to allot myself 8-10 months for this trip, given my proposed travel methodology. But over lunch with a friend the other day, I began to consider the idea of doing this trip on a motorcycle! There are obviously a whole different host of stipulations doing the trip on a bike, but overall it seems to me that it would be cheaper and allow me a much greater degree of freedom on the trip; both of which greatly appeal to me.

So! My question to you all; is this a feasible way of doing the trip? I have no experience whatsoever with motorcycles. Never ridden, never maintained, anything like that. The earliest I would leave for this trip would probably be next September or October. Would I be able to generally stick to this route on a motorcycle? Is it worth the time that I have and the money it would require to learn how to ride one and take the trip that way? I'm not wedded to any specific ways of doing this trip yet, but cycling it seems like it would have a huge range of benefits. Let me know what you think; any advice is appreciated.

Thanks!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 26 Nov 2012
Lifetime Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 365
Is it doable - in broad terms; yes it is, albeit there are details about China (basically if on a bike needing to be part of a group) and Russia (how the visa system works) that need to be well understood.

Now the answer to the unasked question - should you do it? Yes, but by bike I'd probably say not.
(i) You want to cover a lot of country in a relatively short time. One thing is certain about using a bike it may be more flexible but it won't be cheaper than hitching using the train etc. Cost of buying / shipping/ mechanical wear and tear quickly adds up.
(ii) All forms of travel has risks - thats part of the attraction - but travelling by bike has its own and if you don't have on-road experience and the mechanical knowledge that might be adding too much too quickly. Also what happens if you find you are not enjoying it; the reality is some people find the travelling life intoxicating whilst others quickly get fed up - with a bike you are more committed and its harder to bail without loss for awhile. On my first trip at closer to your age I caught hepatitus in Nepal- because I was travelling by public transport I was able to bail out for 3 months get well and then return and finish.

So my advice for what its worth - is keep planning your trip but this time focus on just getting to the countries. Public transport has its ups and downs but it actually a really good way of meeting locals. People on this site wax lyrical about the freedom a bike gives you to explore, and thats true, but it can in its own way sometimes can be insulating.

Now if the budget permits learn to ride a bike anyway - and you are all set up for the next trip.

Final comment - good on you for even considering the trip. Get out there and see the world, you will never regret it (and remember - all this advice comes from someone who is old enough to be your father, would have a heart attack if my own 17 year old wanted to do it, but will very happily do it himself - and therefore should be treated with appropriate scepticism).

PS - What about a bicycle? Cheap to buy and transport, and easy to dump if you get fed up with it?
__________________
Martin

finally back on the road again


http://awayonmybike.blogspot.com/
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 26 Nov 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,131
As per above post. Sorry but quick Motorcycle travel will not be cheaper than public transport. And you'd want a lot of motorcycle experience to do the trip. Or at least a lot of life experience. Without either of those then I'd so no again.

Consider you will be flying in and out. And for cost reasons you want to fly in/out of 'hubs'; these being where airlines start/terminate their flights, so you won't be having a stop over where both you and the baggage may change planes = $. Paris might be cheaper than London, consider the transport costs London to Paris.

Then plan what you want to see. Or do.

Then fit in those places by transport. Eurorail can be cheap - particularly when purchased overseas and for some time period. Eurorail will do you eastern europe.

Where to stay? Youth Hostels. Cheap and they have cooking and may have washing ... And they have similar people to talk too, and pass on information. Like cheap things to do, places to see.

Plan on having at least every 7th day off. You'll need to do stuff, like washing, phone home, rest, and so on. So you want that 7th day to be in the same place.

Bicycles? Unless you want a very slow trip ... no. They are difficult in the airport... some buses and trains won't take them.. Unless you want to use the bike for substantial parts of the trip, NO.

Not certain? Get some experience in touring on a bike. In your local area, a weekend overnight not far from home camping out. Take a bicycle. The equipment is similar for a motorcycle. If you like that then consider getting a motorcycle licence. Take a learner course, even if it is not compulsory. Here the local post office found training their drivers saved as much money as spent training them (if not more). And that was for the motorcycle riders on 110cc bikes. They then turned around and trained all their drivers.

----------------------

Above all this.

GO! It will open your eyes.

-------------
Consider

Train.
Eurorail for western Euope through to Turkey. Then back.
TransSiberian for Russia. Cantake you through Mongolia to China.
The fly back to the 'stans.
Fly to say India, train there. Fly Thailand, bus around.

That would be about the easiest... flexible ... and probably cheapest.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 26 Nov 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 1,377
I'd also have to say it doesn't sound like a great idea. You need more moto and life experience to take this on safely in my view. But why not start small, and when you're in a place you like, rent a moped or small moto for a few days and cut loose from public transport. who knows, maybe by the end you'll take public transport from country to country, but once there, tour around by moto or moped?
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 26 Nov 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 2
Thanks for all the quick responses, guys!

Yeah, I had a feeling that that could be too much to cram in with no prior experience in motorcycles. I'm almost certainly going to do the trip regardless; motorcycle or not, it's been a dream of mine for a long time and I'll be doing it one way or another. I'll probably default to my earlier plan of utilizing ground transport; while flying from some places would be enjoyable and convenient, air travel is a little much for my budget, and so I'll probably only have flights to and from my starting and ending points on the trip. Trains and buses and hitching seem to be good ways to get around, and that should carry me for most of the places I want to visit.

Regardless, I'm inspired now to learn how to ride and maintain a motorcycle at some point; that may be in college or afterwards, but I'm now pretty intrigued. Thanks again for all your help, folks.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 26 Nov 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
Here is a useful resource for planning long distance train journeys.

The Man in Seat Sixty-One - the train travel guide...
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 26 Nov 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
It's all been said including about the guy sat in seat 61 (which is an amazing resource).
Just get out there and see/enjoy the world without the additional complexity and cost of mechanical devices (with the possible exception of a pedal cycle, but you can pick up one of those on your travels).
I started travelling by hitch-hiking; I am not sure that it is quite as easy nowadays because major highway rules don't permit it, in general; but they didn't back in the days when the French police "threw" me off their autobahn!!
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Roads DRC (West) - doable? Anacondor sub-Saharan Africa 7 13 Dec 2012 08:38
Heading north to Egypt...doable? dstehouwer sub-Saharan Africa 16 4 Oct 2012 14:52
Sudan to Chad? Darfur doable? sas07 North Africa 7 19 Jun 2012 12:54
Is South Sudan doable, or should I think of something else? saliadarunavuelta sub-Saharan Africa 1 2 Mar 2012 20:15
Botswana doable in April?? lend sub-Saharan Africa 3 26 Oct 2011 21:30

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 13:10.