Month: October 2015
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It was such a delightful little combination of words. It undermined the status quo so wonderfully
I read Andy’s message from my spot beneath a tree. In my lap was the copy of The Adventure Cycle-Touring Handbook that I’d just put down – a book which explained, in detail, the practicalities of cycling round the world. I’d bought the book whilst browsing in a store that morning, not knowing it would become […] Continue reading →
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I’d never planned on being anywhere near Sudan, alone or otherwise
I never planned to be cycling alone through Sudan. But now that I am, I have plenty of time – too much, perhaps – to dwell on the complicated tale of adventure and romance that led me here. In fact, I’d never planned on being anywhere near Sudan, alone or otherwise. ‘I would rather not bike […] Continue reading →
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The essential beauty of the bicycle journey lies with the freedom that it gifts the rider
I peer out through my mangled sunglasses. I dropped them long ago – in the Alps, I think it was – and ran over them before I noticed. Still, they do their job. As mile after indistinguishable mile goes past, palpable waves of heat pass through me. The brown tint of the glasses makes the […] Continue reading →
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The Sahara doesn’t really look like I’d pictured it. But then nowhere ever quite did
The Sahara doesn’t really look like I’d pictured it. But then nowhere ever quite did. My bicycle rests against the milestone. A slope of crushed red rock drops from the roadside and slips into the sand. I pull a bottle of water from the rear pocket of one of my bags; take a swig. It’s hot […] Continue reading →
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I went on a journey seeking answers. What I found instead were questions
I went on a journey seeking answers. What I found instead were questions. Things I thought were black and white dissolved into grey. This was annoying: the world was easier to understand before I’d experienced its realities. I’d chosen to ride a bicycle because it would bring life back to basics and allow for unmatched […] Continue reading →
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Starting Next Week, Janapar Will Be Serialised For Free On This ‘Ere Blog
It’s really quite lovely being a self-published author. I can do absolutely anything I like with the words that have emanated from my fingertips, without restriction from contractual obligations to publishers or agents, without the pressure to squeeze sales out of my readers in the hope of a royalty cheque that’ll do more than just […] Continue reading →
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How To Go Ultralight Bikepacking (A Fully Loaded Cycle Tourist’s Perspective)
Ultralight cycle touring – a.k.a. bikepacking – is something I’ve been asked repeatedly to cover on this blog. As luck would have it, lightweight bikepacking is also something I’m getting more and more interested in, especially now I’m based in a place with endless potential for dirt road adventures in the mountains. Exciting plans are brewing for […] Continue reading →
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The Future Of TomsBikeTrip.com
Tuesday’s announcement appears to have resulted in mild confusion about the fate of this long-running cycle touring blog. Allow me to set the record straight: TomsBikeTrip.com is here to stay! The launch of TomAllen.info reflects the fact that I have interests and stories beyond bicycle travel. But travelling on two wheels remains the thing that’s most precious to me […] Continue reading →
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Why, After 9 Years Running TomsBikeTrip.com, I Started A New Blog Today
This is the biggest upheaval in my blogging life since Ride Earth became Tom’s Bike Trip back in 2010. It’s long overdue. The short answer to the “why” in the title of this post is this: I have a lot more to say about travel, adventure & storytelling than there’s space for on a cycle touring website. The long […] Continue reading →