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Just a few of the questions I've got used to hearing...
Q
Why am I doing this?
Good question. A mixture of things really: the desire to challenge myself, take on something I didn’t know I could do, see the world from a different point of view and to live a life less ordinary.
Q
Do I really cycle all the way?
Yep. Except for one section in Kazakhstan where I had to catch a train to avoid overstaying my visa and when my bike quite literally fell apart in Southern China. To get from Tokyo to North America I flew to Los Angeles, worked in California for a month, then got to Alaska through a combination of Greyhound buses and hitch-hiking.
Q
Is it safe?
I work on the basis that 99.9% of the world’s population are good, honest people and as such are far more likely to help me than to want to harm me. So far, with the exception of drivers, this has proved true.
Q
Do I not get bored?
Sometimes, but I’m yet to meet anyone who doesn’t occasionally get bored. To keep me entertained I’ve got books and an I-pod, not to mention the people that I meet. If all that fails, I remember that if I wasn’t here I’d be at work.
Q
What happens if the bike breaks?
I fix it. If it’s something which I can’t fix I walk/hitch/get a bus to a location where I can get it fixed.
Q
How far do I ride each day?
I aim for 100km a day, but this is subject to change depending on road conditions, hills etc. Sometimes it’s more, sometimes it’s less – the longest day so far was 175km, the shortest was 57km.
Q
Did you have to do much training?
In January, 3 months before I was due to leave I tore a medial ligament in my knee. It healed up with just a couple of weeks to spare meaning I only got two weekends of training in and when I left home I was over-weight, unfit and about as physically unprepared for taking on something like this as possible.
Q
Where do I sleep?
The majority of the time I’m camping. Given the size and longevity of the task I have to save as much money as possible, so it’s camping whenever possible and in the cities I either stay in the cheapest hostel available or use the hospitality networks. The hospitality networks really are great as the people you stay with can give a proper insight into the city your staying in and you’re also guaranteed to meet new people.
Q
What do I eat?
I eat anything and everything. During the day I’ll usually eat 2 loaves of bread with jam etc, as well as anything else I can get on my hands on – I’m in love with my lifestyle as it’s impossible to eat too much. For dinner I’ll have rice accompanied by fried vegetables and a sauce of some kind. This is for the days I’m camping – when I’m in a city/with people I’ll do my best to eat what the locals eat and so far have managed to eat everything I’ve been served – even iguana.
Q
What road-kill have you seen?
If you’ve seen one in a field, I’ve seen a dead one by the side of the road. Out of all the animals I’ve seen so far the only one’s I haven’t seen in pancake form are Camels and Goats.
Q
When will I go home?
I hope to arrive home for Christmas 2011.
Q
What advice do I have for anyone wishing to go on their own bike tour?
Honestly, just go! When I left home I was over-weight, unprepared and could only just about fix a puncture. Setbacks are all part of the adventure, you'll learn as you go and more importantly you'll have a great time - I'm yet to meet someone who's regretted getting on their bike.
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