I (21M) will start off by saying I’ve never done anything like this. Never have I ridden a bicycle besides commuting, let alone go for an overnighter. To be honest, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I did do proper research to the necessary equipment, and in about two months I was ready to hit the road.
Some stats:
- 37 days on the road
- 3.350 km ridden (route in 2nd picture)
- 21.700m elevation
- 143km longest ride
- 52km shortest ride
- 4 rest days
- ~15 punctures (new Schwalbe Marathon tyres…)
- 6 days spent with fellow tourers
- 21 nights camped, 15 nights with a roof over my head
- 8 dog attacks
- €2.000 raised for charity
- 2 butt cheeks forever changed
- Countless amazing people met!
Despite having so many wonderful experiences daily, I was struggling a lot mentally on the tour. Leaving my hometown alone on a bicycle, I felt like I was trying to escape reality. The last thing I needed, as I had only been home for a week after living in Vietnam for half a year. (prepared the bike beforehand)
A gap in my study curriculum allowed me to go on this tour. However, looking back on it now, I probably should have picked another time. I was missing home a lot, and that feeling only got worse as the weeks passed.
In Serbia I hit my lowest point. On the bigger roads there was constant traffic racing past me, and on the smaller paths I was constantly fearing the next dog attack. Also the views were rather monotonous, compared to other countries I cycled in.
Originally I had planned to continue to Georgia, but due to the lack of motivation I decided to end in Istanbul.
Does that mean I will never tour again? Definitely not! I’m now convinced cycling is the best way to experience a country. I can see myself renting a bicycle on future vacations, and just explore around for a few days. Maybe I’ll ever decide to continue from Istanbul towards the Stans, but not anytime soon.
Feel free to ask me anything! 🙂
by Xander0928
2 Comments
Amazing trip – I really get the mental part!
May I ask you two questions:
concerning getting back to the Netherlands: how did the flight work?:) was it easily doable?
And how did you raise charity money?
I’m planning on the same trip after my master’s
First of all congratulations! That is quite an achievement!
And to stop when mental capacity runs out is a strong decision, happened to me in ireland after weeks of rain🥲.
Why so many punctures? What kind of? Schwalbe marathon worked for me quite good so far, only one puncture in 12000 km touring ( not in one trip😅)