Month: April 2010
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The Marco Polo of the Middle East
While I was travelling through Europe, people would sometimes smile and jokingly pass reference to Marco Polo, the medieval Italian merchant who brought home epic tales of Asia, now immortalised as one of history’s great adventurers, and whose experiences neither I nor anyone else stand the slightest chance of recreating in today’s world. While I […] Continue reading →
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Staying Afloat Away From Home
I wrote recently about funding a long-term bicycle expedition, and I mentioned that it’s possible to find work pretty much anywhere if you have suitable skills. I graduated in 2005 with a degree in Computer Science, which morphed upon graduation into occasional bedroom-bound work developing websites for friends of friends. I didn’t make any money […] Continue reading →
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10 Strange Things Bicycle Travel Has Done To Me
It’s difficult to notice the subtle changes that come over you during a journey of duration and difficulty, but certain situations have alerted me to them very strongly. I’ve only been travelling for a couple of years, but this must be where the curve is at its steepest. Here are a few, both good and […] Continue reading →
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Why Backpacking Is Great (And Other Myths)
I wrote this horribly opinionated, elitist, provocational polemic last year, and have been wondering what to do with it ever since. There may be nuggets of truth in there somewhere, but please don’t take it too seriously! Continue reading →
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341 Photos of Fully Loaded Touring Bicycles
The FLT gallery is a fantastic testament to the world of differences and similarities of bikes taken on tour. It’s a great page to pull up whenever I need some inspiration to get planning for my next trip, or just to get out there and ride. Continue reading →
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High-Tech or Low-Tech?
There’s a balance to be struck between taking too many and too few techy gadgets on an expedition. I’m a bit schizophrenic in this area. I’d like to say I’m a natural Ludditenaturally frugal — last year I hitched home from Armenia with only a knife, phone and poncho — but I also greatly value […] Continue reading →