Weird that this thread is revived after 6 years....

Borrowing money and paying someone interest is bad enough for something that you need: a mortgage for your home, a vehicle for tranportation, etc. It strikes me as somewhat foolhardy to borrow money for something as non-essential as travel.

But hey, it's your money. Do what you like with it.

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Bruce Clarke - 2020 Yamaha XV250

This thread was "revived" by a spammer whose post is now gone. When you see a short, marginally-relevant post by a brand new member (one post, perhaps 2 at the most) on an old, inactive thread, it's often a spammer testing the waters. Sometimes there is a more or less hidden link in the post, which sometimes takes the form of a query: "Has anyone tried Xyz Imports for replacement parts? I hear they're great!"

It's hard to be certain with the clever ones, therefore a good thing most are not very creative. A good general policy: don't put a massive amount of effort into answering these posts, at least until their authors show signs of being real people with an actual interest in the topic at hand. And if you spot those commercial links--obvious or subtle--please feel absolutely free to report them.

Mark

In case anyone was wondering, I didn't take the loan.

So I didn't do the trip.

And now six years later, I totally regret it.

Now I can comfortably afford the trip.. But I now have a career, workshops and responsibilities. I have the means but not the time nor the freedom.

It's funny what can happen in six years.

In hindsight, I could have afforded the loan payment. It would have been annoying, but I'd have paid it. I've probably spend the same money on utter crap to fill the boredom since.

It's a great reminder to seize the moment.

Who knows when I'll next have the opportunity to take a year out of my life. The good lady in my life wants a house and baby Teds.


Crikey..

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Welcome to the club.

There is good news. You'll enjoy some of the other stuff. The short trips you can still take are fun. It doesn't mean never.

My other stuff is now reaching a point I may get out of the UK on a bike. First time in eight years. It is true the next time I might conceivably get months rather than weeks is going to be in the 2030's, but that's just a wait and see.

Do try to avoid buying **** though.

Andy

Thanks for your open words!

As you could see, my answer today is too different to my answer at 2014 did also change over the years and growing experience.

These opportunity costs are getting bigger with age...

But i suggest not to regret. Not to spend money for crap. Save it!

Founding a family is a own advenure...

What is about travelling in some years togehter with family and a Van/4x4?

Also the little teds will grow up and leave your house, opens another window for travelling.

Shorter Adventures are always an option between

To find the right girl for a live - and to come together - live together - congrats!

Surfy

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About Overlanding, Travelogues, Equipment
Trans-Africa over the west coast

I feel for you.

I am one of those who came back from a trip with debt and it took me 2 years to become debt free after the trip.

I have been debt-free for a little while and now I am battling consumerism demons (wanting a new car and a new bike etc..)

So far I am resisting and the money is piling up in the bank account.

By my estimation by the time travel becomes sane again I'll have just enough money set aside for another year off on a bike.

For a lot of us, these long trips take a lot of planning, financial planning yes but equaly important is planning the unplugging from your regular life. Plenty of people have the monetary means to travel long temr but they cannot (or often will not)shut down their life to leave and travel.

If you are still wanting to do a long trip the best time to start planning for it is now.

Every penny spent on that trip was worth it's weight in gold and then some.

I am at that age where the generation above mine is starting to retire, get sick and some are leaving this earth. I am noticing that for a lot of people in their '60s and '70s money is not a problem but they dont have the health or the will to do anyhting interesting with the funds they have.

Do I dream of being 65, retired and buying a brand new 60k fancy pick up truck so I can look at it from kitchen window? Not me.

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Alaska 2014: Hotel Budget ZeroXmas in Death Valley, New Year in Urique

O.M.G
(private joke- Ted knows!)