In 5 days, we'll start our last tour in Australia. Just two weeks of testing the gear and getting back in shape. We'll head out to Wave Rock



and then down to Albany. Should be around 730 kms and contains two smallish mountain ranges.

I created a Crazy Guy On A Bike Journal where you can follow us along.

When you finally leave for the big one I am expecting a full listing on your site of every thing you are taking and every component you selected for your bike and why

That list is already more or less on the CGOAB journal, halfnine. As for the bike:

- Old steel frame
- BBB multi bar
- Shimano V Breaks
- Shimano SLX shifters
- Shimano cassette and chain rings
- Shimano cranks and pedals
- Shimano deore dérailleurs
- Alexrims DMI8
- ToPeak Super Tourist DX rack
- Oertlieb panniers, handle bar bag + rack pack
- Schwalbe Marathon XR tires
- Selle SMP Strike saddle (not convinced yet)
- Specialized Tahoe cycling shoes

All that is missing is

- VDO MC 1.0+ cycling computer - currently missing
- A pair of Shimano cycling sandals

HI,

As some of the previous posters wrote, you can train prior to undertaking a Bike expedition, or like many people who are busy working and saving for their bike journey your training can start when your bike journey begins. I have two friends from the UK who biked and Kayaked from London to Sydney over 15 months, thy did hardly any training. Another girl i know, also from the Uk Cycled from Beijing to London with zero training. Of course getting in shape and biking on a regular basis b4 the trip will probably mean you enjoy the first part of the trip opossed to the agony of get in Biking shape at the start of your expedition.
Either way get your self some padded cycling shorts and a couple of panier bags and go travel by bike...you nt regret it.

OK, we are back from our bicycle tour from Perth to Albany via Wave Rock.Probably did around 700 kilometers in 12 days of riding and with three rest days. As it got somewhere between 33 and 40 degrees C out there, we usually started around 7 am and finished our day's riding between 12 and 1 pm. Our shortest day was 31 kilometers and our longest 104 kilometers. No punctures and no other mechanical problems.We camped and stayed at motels/hotels in small country towns. The largest town we stayed at (besides Albany at the end) was Lake Grace with app. 650 people - the smallest probably Pingrup with 80. Most towns will have a hotel or camper van park, so 'accomodation' is usually not a problem. We only came across one town without official accommodation- Borden. But they let us pitch our tent at the local sports complex.All towns have a pub. All of them. So, quenching your after-ride thirst with a cold brew is not a problem at all.The whole area is called The Wheat Belt - obviously the locals grow grains and to a lesser degree make money of steer and sheep husbandry. They are good people and it's great to hang out at the local watering hole after 5 pm to have a chat with the local farmers - who'll be happy to share the goss with you. Hehe. Buy them a beer and you might learn more secrets than you were really wanting to listen to.Scenery-wise, it's really much of the same all the way from York to Borden: undulating farming land. From Lake Grace to Pingrup, you'll have some salt lakes breaking up the golden color of the wheat fields. After Borden, you'll hit the Stirling Range National Park. A nice little mountain range that offers some change in scenery and also good hiking/climbing opportunities for those interested.Here some pics: The rest can be found here.If you have a car (or a bicycle), I really recommend visiting this part of WA. Unlike the touristy coast, here you'll meet the locals and they are welcoming and hospitable. Don't rush from one 'must-see' to the next, take your time, slow down to the area's speed and start to understand why things are just a little bit more laid-back in WA than over east.

Just another data point from someone who, midway through a typical backpacking rtw trip, got hold of a $250 mountain bike in Bangkok and hasn't looked back. Honestly, physically - if I can do it, anyone can - at least in SE Asia! I've ridden 1000+ km so far, my butt is finally starting to hurt less, and I'm not sure I'll ever travel a different way again. Really, a phenomenally fun way to see things. I'm thinking about upgrading my bike and doing a more challenging part of the world next!

I really want to try but i have no clue to where to start. What kind of bike to buy and how does one get on the road with a bike.

Maduh, there's not really all that much to it.
As for the bike, you will find the full spectrum of bicycles used for touring out there. You'll have the gear heads who have spend 6000 bucks on a custom build Surly tourer with the best possible components and you'll have people who ride one of those typical Indian bicycles around India. My wife is riding a titanium bike, I'm riding a 15 year old steel tank. Friend of mine picked up a a random second-hand bike for 50 bucks in Wales and rode it from there to Sweden. The only thing that really matters with the bike is that you feel comfortable with it and love it.

Don't be intimidated by it - just pick up a cheap bike, have your bike store fit a rack and some panniers on it and start riding it. Maybe a couple for multi-day trips first; then a tour of a week or two. After that you'll know if you still want to take on a big one.

Here some inspirational journals

CGOAB - Girl starts riding in Mongolia
CGOAB - Woman alone from Japan to Thailand

Madhu wrote:I really want to try but i have no clue to where to start. What kind of bike to buy and how does one get on the road with a bike.

Definitely try it out! It's been trip-changing for me, honestly.

As for the bike, I met someone who went 3 weeks in Cambodia with a $10 1-gear bike, so while I wouldn't recommend that (and, umm, I don't think he would either) you certainly don't need anything special. Ive been happy with mine (Trek 3900) so far, as it's survived scary dirt roads, potholes, mountains, city streets, and I don't need to stress so much about it being stolen. Getting good tires that won't puncture and a comfortable seat/handlebars are two things I might do differently!

Starting out with some shorter trips is probably a good idea. Also knowing some basic bike mechanics might be nice? Honestly, you really don't need to do anything special besides getting out and on the road - I just bought a map, pointed my bike north from Bangkok, and started riding with zero mechanical skills and no bike rides of more than 20 miles before, and (1800 km later now!) I haven't had any regrets.

I think some regions are easier than others. Obviously 1st world countries are probably some of the best, SE Asia is also extremely easy to cycle in. I think Turkey or parts of the Middle East would be nice as well?? I'm not sure I personally would have wanted to start with say, China or most of Africa

Good luck!

What kind of bike to buy and how does one get on the road with a bike.

As everyone's said, you can tour on pretty much anything. There are purpose-built touring bikes, which is probably the ideal for long haul riding, but any bike of decent quality will do. Basically just don't buy a bike at Wal-mart, or other department store. If cost is an issue, you're better buying a used bike of a reputable brand, though odds are that'll end up being a mountain bike.

Now, I love my bike passionately, but I'm more of a commuter and have never done any real touring. Still, my experience biking is that it doesn't hurt to know a bit about repair, at least enough to fix a flat tire and keep your chain lubed.

With that bit of knowledge the rest kind of falls into place. Try some rides around your area to start. If you want to go on an overseas tour, compare how much the airline charges to carry a bike against what you can rent or buy locally. Sometimes it's worth it to bring your own, sometimes not.

Wow, this was a terrible thread to read right before I have to sit down and write an essay. Three more months and I can finally say that essays are the past and travel is the future!

Madhu,

I know a type of bike that would be PERFECT for you and you can get professional training....

Give me a B, give me an M, give me a W......

From someone who had traveled with you a bit, you could bike (I mean the type with no engine other than your legs) easily. You are fit enough and you have the smarts to fix the thing if it breaks. I met a girl in SA who had never really riden, bought a bike and 3 weeks later was wrenching away on her steed with no problem.

Go for it.

PC

Here is a great blog, written by a guy into his 4th year bicycling around the world. Lots of usefull information there.

http://www.worldtravellers.dk/wordpress/

Wow !
Traveling on a Bicycle ........... " Its like a party on wheels across the state " ... : )

We have just finished our first 'section' of our cycling trip from Indonesia to India: the Indonesian islands of Flores and Sulawesi. There are some tough mountains on both islands, but especially on Flores, so if you intend to head there with your bike, make sure your legs are in good shape. But it's definitely worth it!

Here some links to our publications:
Erika's Cycling Journal
My 'blog'
Pictures from Indonesia
Our YouTube Channel

It's easiest to follow us along by becoming a fan of our Facebook page.

If you have questions about cycling in this region, send me a PM or contact us through one of the above publications.

a.