Youtube: Around The World(ish) In 107 Days
This year I set out to ride a bike around the world in 180 days.
Along my journey I was raising funds for Kids Helpline. A counselling hotline in Australia for children who need someone to speak to about any issues they're having.
I made a post about my interrupted journey a few months ago.
The goal was to follow the Guinness World Records rules for cycling around the world.
This endeavour was the culmination of over ten years of planning and anticipation. Unfortunately, after 88 days and 14,032km my bike was stolen. After six weeks delay, I continued my trip on another bike. It was hard to recapture the vibe from the first 88 days, but I was determined to finish to the best of my ability and on my own terms. Nothing ever goes to plan. I developed an issue with my knee. I was able to carry on for a few weeks. Minor adjustments to my setup made a difference. But, I risked more serious injury if I continued. I reluctantly made the decision to end my journey after 107 days and 17,099 kilometres. Along the way, we managed to raise $4,719 for Kids Helpline.
It's impossible to give a brief summary of all the experiences and stories. I tried my best to highlight a few stand-out moments in the galleries below.
I kept track of a lot of details along the way. If someone here is planning something similar, hopefully some of the stuff you'll find below is of value. If you have any questions, DM me, or hit me up in the comments.
FAQ's
-Who are you?
No one special. Just a dude who likes to ride a bike really far. People have ridden further, people have ridden faster, people have ridden for longer. I just thought there's some information in this post that would be of use to other people wanting to do something similar.
-Have you done stuff like this before?
In 2019 I rode across Australia from Perth to Byron Bay in 28 days. In 2022 I rode from Alaska to Mexico City over 6 months. I've also rode across Tasmania, New Zealand, around Thailand and a few other trips and places up to a week long in between.
-Why are you following the Guinness rules if you're not going for a record?
Almost anyone can ride around the world if they do it in their own time. I like a challenge, and the rules are very well defined by Guinness. I was also trying to capture peoples attention spans for my fundraiser. Any longer than six months and I think people (and myself) would grow bored with the journey.
-Why 180 days?
"Around The World In 180 Days" has a nice ring to it. Although I operate in the metric system, it's almost perfectly 100 miles per day. It's a nice round number to claim.
-How do you finance these trips?
In the two months before I started this challenge, I was working two jobs. I forewent much of my social life. I don't have a particularly high paying job. I'm frugal in life where I can be. I work for a period of time and then don't work for a period of time. It's not sustainable forever.
-Did you have any sponsors?
No. I don't want to be a billboard. I don't have many social media followers and I'm not the best at marketing myself. I'd accept support (not financial, probably just gear) if it were offered to me, but I don't go looking for it.
-What did you eat?
Everything.
-How did your body hold up?
The first week in these types of endeavours will be uncomfortable. You'll have some questionable shits and risky farts, your neck, shoulders, and knees will hurt. But after a week everything adapts. I developed some numbness and lost most sensation on my left pinky and ring finger. It's now nearly two months post-expedition and I'd say I have 75% of sensation back. Other than that, no issues until I had to restart on a different bike. I developed some knee pain at that point. Some millimetre saddle adjustments might have been all it took to avoid the discomfort I was feeling by the end. It was ultimately the right choice to pull the pin, I don't have any lingering injuries from the trip.
-How do you plan your route.
Honestly, mostly using Google Maps and OsmAnd. Google Maps (no motorways and no tolls options) does a good job of giving you accurate distances. OsmAnd gives a very detailed elevation profile. I wouldn't advise you use Google Maps Cycling directions outside of a city, it will take you down roads that don't exist.
-How do you follow your route?
I don't have it worked out day-to-day. I have my overall route planned, with what towns I will pass through. But each day is a matter of using the above apps to navigate. I couldn't think of anything worse than following a turn by turn route for 200km's or having it all planned and ready day-to-day. That doesn't allow for necessary deviation due to many unforseen obstacles or needs for resupply.
-How do you find places to camp?
WikiCamps for Australia and NZ, iOverlander for everywhere else. I find something roughly the distance I want to go for the day and aim for it. It's not always suitable for someone on a bike, that's where you can rely on some experience. Look for bridges and tunnels on your route, they make good shelter. Abandoned buildings. Public toilets if you're desperate. Just don't be a dickhead, leave no trace (poop into a bag if you can't dig a hole), set up after dark and leave before sunrise. Also, ask locals for advice, no harm in asking. Some restaurants around the world might let you pitch a tent if you buy some food.
-Did you ever feel unsafe?
Yay and nay. I ended up in some sketchy places due to my own mistakes. But 99% of my time I never felt threatened or unsafe.
-Why did you opt for panniers instead of a saddle bag?
Hot take, panniers are superior for most trips over a week on a sealed road. I needed to carry gear for -2°c to +45°c and would be up to 600km between decent resupply at times. If I were concerned about weight I wouldn't have rode a steel bike.
-Is a Rohloff or other internal gear hub system superior to a derailluer set up?
It's all about the user and the intent. I'd put over 50,000km's on my Rohloff and was still using the original belt. I can do most repairs and maintenance on a derailluer, but also prefer not to. I'd claim it is superior for everything I've done so far, while still being perfect for being my every day bike. If it had a major problem in a place like Mexico I'd probably be in a lot of trouble sourcing replacement parts.
-Why not tubeless?
Let people be. Team tube-in or team tubeless. Both have pros/cons. I'm not gonna defend this choice.
-Was it mental or physical?
Yes.
-Did any gear not hold up?
Everything in the gear list below worked flawlessly. Most of it was gear I've used on other trips and I've dialed in what works for me pretty well.
-I'd love to do something like this, what advice would you give?
You won't achieve it if you want it. You have to make it happen.
-What are you up to now?
I haven't actually rode a bike for nearly two months. I finished my trip in Western Australia with family, but I live in New Zealand. I didn't really have the disposable funds to get my bike shipped over with me at the time. So, now I'm just working until I can dispose of enough money to either buy a new bike or get mine shipped over.
-Would you do it again?
Watch this space…
| Bike | Sleeping Setup | Electronics |
|---|---|---|
| Vivente Swabia | MSR Hubba NX 1P Tent | Google Pixel 7 Pro mobile phone |
| Rohloff Speedhub 500/14 | Thermarest NeoAir XTherm NXT sleeping mat | Garmin Fenix 6X Pro GPS watch |
| Gates Carbon Belt | One Planet Nitrous -1° sleeping bag | 3 x 20,000mAh power banks |
| Brooks B17 Imperial Carved Saddle | Schmidt SON 28 Dynamo hub | |
| Schwalbe Marathon Mondial 700×35 (front) | Busch & Mueller Lumotec IQ-X Senso Plus 100 Lux front light | |
| Schwalbe Marathon Mondial 700×40 (rear) | Busch & Mueller Toplight 2C Plus rear light | |
| Shimano M520 SPD Pedals | ||
| Bombtrack Beyond+ ADV (day 89-107) |
| Accessories | Tools/Spare Parts | Clothing |
|---|---|---|
| Ortlieb Ultimate 6.5L handlebar bag | Crank Brothers Klic mini pump | Whatever was on sale at Decathlon |
| Ortlieb gravel panniers | Blackburn Wayside multi-tool | Outdoor Research Helium down puffer jacket |
| Sawyer Squeeze Water Filtration System | 2x Pedros tyre levers | Shimano EX700 MTB shoes |
| 2L CNOC bladder (superior to the Sawyer bags) | 2x Schwalbe inner tubes | Macpac merino neck gaiter |
| Plenty of sunscreen and zinc | 20x Glueless patch repair | Icebreaker merino thermal top |
| Icebreaker merino crew socks |
by just_rhyss