FAQs

The pace is perfect. Being on a bike means you can travel dozens of kms every day, carrying everything you need (shelter, water, food and a good book). It is easy to move quickly enough to cover ground, yet slowly enough to see the places you would otherwise barely notice in a car. 

Travelling by bike provides a very different perspective of a place, providing a much richer experience. You end up seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling and tasting your way across a country (or even continent!). Bike touring also encourages exploration beyond the obvious. KL is not Malaysia, Dublin is not Ireland and Sydney is not Australia. Being on a bike makes that impossible to ignore.

Touring bikes are tough and mine is purpose-built. Doug has extra strong wheels rims, hubs and spokes, robust racks and mounts and very durable tyres. Nevertheless, things can and do go wrong. After years of cycling, we have both become pretty good at fixing the most common problems - punctures, broken chains, wonky wheels, rubbing brakes, misaligned gears and so on. In Doug's case he was custom built by the team at AZUB from simple and durable components. His brakes are not fancy hydraulic disc brakes (I saved them for my mountain bike) and he doesn't have aero spokes or a high-end, lightweight drivetrain (like my road bike), instead, he has the kind of equipment that you can find in any bike shop anywhere in the world. Basic, simple, durable and easy to fix or replace.
Mike has a more conventional 'upright' bike, albeit made of titanium (only because adamantium and vibranium are too difficult to source). His components have also been carefully thought out to provide a mix of performance and durability.

Anyone who has ever travelled with me will tell you I have a terrible sense of direction, Mike on the other hand has a strong internal radar....in cities at least. After years of practice, I am very adept at using a map and compass. That being said, these days physical maps are more of a backup. Google Maps, GPS and a host of other apps tend to do a lot of the hard work. As a general rule road signs can be trusted but they will often add a lot of extra kms to a route as they are typically made with car drivers in mind. If in doubt about which way to go we will usually ask someone local. This often has the additional benefit of unearthing a nearby hidden gem or starting an interesting conversation. For much of the journey from Darwin to Melbourne we were on one road, the Stuart Highway, so all we had to do was avoid waking up one morning and heading North instead of South.

How long is a piece of string?
Many factors have an impact on the distance which can be reasonably covered in a day. These include: 

• fitness/fatigue

• the amount of gear being carried

• the terrain

• the quality of the road surface

• wind speed and direction

• length of day (available daylight hours) 

Most reasonably active people can comfortably cycle 50km+ in a day, even with a well-loaded bike, so long as the terrain is not too challenging. Touring just demands doing it day after day. In an ideal world, we would completely disregard distance and just cycle until we wanted to stop, pitch a tent and settle in for the night, however, the need to reach a destination before the end of a holiday or in order to catch a boat or a plane often means distance and time do become factors. When fully loaded we generally average a little under 20km/h meaning five to six hours riding each day equates to about 100km travelled. This is just an average though, so when planning we generally try to ensure a good deal of flexibility. Some days you wake up well-rested, feeling strong and have the wind at your back, on others the reverse is true. Either way having the flexibility to 'go big' some days and take it easy on others is key to enjoying a multi-day tour. 

Access to improved sanitation is far from global. Like all good travellers, it is important to make use of facilities when you find them, as it is often hard to know when the next opportunity might arise. Restaurants, cafes and service stations typically have toilets. When off the beaten track, a discrete wee is rarely a problem. For anything more substantial a hand trowel and a cat hole sometimes have to suffice. It is important to dig deep enough and be far enough away from any water sources though, as a matter of courtesy and for health reasons.

In order to minimise the impact on the environment we try and adhere to 'leave no trace' principles, taking away any non-degradable materials like wet wipes for proper, safe disposal. As such ziplock bags are a necessity, as is a little soap and water. 

There’s a big difference between ‘being alone’ and ‘being lonely’. For our Australia trip, we were travelling together, so getting irritated with one another was perhaps a greater concern. A lifetime of friendship, coupled with clear and honest communication, even when we do get irritated is a great salve. We are both very happy in our own company and enjoy spending time in a quiet reverie. Travelling by bike provides the time to let one's mind wander. Listening to podcasts, taking photos and videos, reading books and doing crosswords are also great sources of relaxation. It is perhaps surprising how frequently people stop to ask about what we are doing, especially in remote areas, or those 'less cycled', Doug is also a regular conversation starter.  One pleasure of touring is having conversations with lots of different people, it is not uncommon to meet the same people again and again, especially if they are undertaking a similar journey.

Everything we do in life contains some element of risk, whether it is crossing the road or eating out in a restaurant. Bike touring is no different. Many of the potential hazards are obvious, such as busy or narrow roads, others are perhaps easier to overlook like exposure to the elements. All can be managed with proper planning and a little common sense.  

Common Concerns

Vehicles

Unless you have the power of a Jedi, other peoples' actions are beyond your control. Most drivers are courteous and in my experience professional drivers even more so. This means the biggest vehicles like trucks, buses and road trains, which are often new cyclists primary concern, tend to leave enough room when passing. Unfortunately the same cannot always be said of ordinary car drivers. The key to being safe on a bike comes down to riding as though you are invisible, whilst making every effort to be seen. Of course, following the rules of the road, wearing a helmet, using lights (not just to see but also to be seen), having hi-vis gear and moving over as necessary to allow vehicles to pass safely are all sensible measures. 

Being aware of the road ahead and signaling your intentions to car drivers in good time is also a good idea. Pulling out into traffic at the last second to avoid a parked car or an opening door is a recipe for disaster. With this in mind, it is important to be assertive, without being aggressive in traffic. As is the case for all road users, being aware of others and acting in a courteous and considerate manner is generally the best and safest course of action.

The Elements

As the saying goes "There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes." There are a few simple rules which, when followed, can make the world of difference. 

• Layers provide flexibility - If you have multiple layers it is easy to adjust your clothing to suit your needs on any given day. Fast wicking/drying clothing is preferable as it is more comfortable to ride in and can be washed and dried more easily. For this reason, avoiding cotton clothing is a good idea. 

• Always sleep dry - Dedicated sleepwear is a must, pulling on comfortable, dry clothing at the end of the day is one way to help ensure a good night's sleep. Given the demands touring can take on one's body good quality rest is essential.   

• Be bold start cold - It can be tempting to add an extra layer or two in the morning if it is cool. Once you get going these layers tend to make you more likely to sweat. When you stop moving, any damp or wet clothing will then cause you to become much colder, which is not ideal. In warm climates avoiding riding in the heat of the day can reduce the likelihood of heatstroke, it also makes it easier to stay hydrated.  

• Being outside for long periods of time means sun, wind and rain protection are all essential. Even deserts get rain sometimes! An SPF 30 sunscreen some lip balm and a rain jacket should be in any bike tourist's kit. 

Bad People

It goes without saying, without a bike, bike touring is not really possible. A sturdy lock is important, but even the best locks are only a deterrent. As a rule, keeping your possessions in-sight is the best form of preventative action. This can be challenging when picking up supplies, especially if traveling solo, but most larger shops will allow you to bring your bike into the entrance if you ask politely. This is especially important in larger urban areas. As for smaller or more rural stores, it is normally possible with a bit of neck-craning to keep an eye on your stuff as you pick up your groceries.

Making your gear less appealing to an opportunist thief is also a good idea. The increasingly shabby look that tends to occur after a few weeks of touring can actually be beneficial in this regard. The sight of drying underwear or clothes on the outside of a pack is a strong deterrent for most, as it makes bikes and gear seem a lot less attractive. Similarly, having high-value items buried beneath more mundane kit such as sleep gear or worn socks and old trainers is somewhat off-putting for anyone bold enough to open a pannier to see what's inside. Some items are more important to keep hold of. It is prudent to take valuables such as your passport, wallet and phone with you wherever you go, losing these could cause major problems or even halt your tour entirely.

Ultimately, being safe when bike touring is dependent on only a handful of things, most of which are controllable (to some extent at least), these include:

• Where, exactly, you are touring

• Whether you are touring with someone or riding solo

• The season(s)/climate you intend to tour in

• Your ability to interact positively with other people

• Your prior experience and strength as a cyclist

• Your ability to navigate accurately

• Your ability to solve problems, make good decisions and overcome challenges (even when you are tired, hungry or frustrated)

• And, most importantly, common sense

With respect to physical safety, the most important thing to do is to listen to your instincts. If you feel unsafe somewhere, it is always a good decision to leave and find somewhere else to stay.

The Real Concern

The most common concerns detailed above are all very manageable with good preparation and some attention to detail.  Whilst they should not be underestimated or overlooked these external concerns are generally minor when compared to the mental challenges which emerge when undertaking a long tour.

The fear of being caught under the wheels of a 'big-rig',  or falling prey to a wild beast or a gun-toting murderer is compelling, but the reality of bike touring is that the greatest challenges are mental ones. It is not unusual to be fearful of the unknown, whether in the form of people or places. Similarly, the fear of being alone and having nothing to occupy one's time is a normal concern. Perhaps most challenging is being mentally prepared to ride a long way, day after day after day, without succumbing to boredom. Facing and ultimately overcoming these challenges is one of the most satisfying elements of bike touring. 

Like many things in life, there are some risks when camping in wild places. Wild animals can be potentially dangerous but snakes and spiders are generally not a concern and a few simple rules can reduce the likelihood of an encounter.

• Putting shoes inside the tent at night prevents creepy crawlies from climbing into them and surprising you in the morning

• Leaving bags closed makes it much less likely something will crawl inside

• Checking under chairs for spiders, such as redbacks, is generally a good idea

• Keeping your distance from anything big or small that does happen to wander by is also common sense

The most common encounters tend to be with small buzzy things, like flies, midges and mosquitos. A little insect repellant and a head net generally suffice to rid oneself of the worst of this annoyance.

In truth, the greatest danger (other than that posed by vehicles and people) is from dogs. Lots of dogs like to chase. This can be because they are frightened, curious, playful or defending their territory. I have tried all sorts of remedies, from squirting water, to barking (yes, really), to blowing loud whistles and even throwing doggie treats. After many encounters, I have come to the conclusion that the safest thing to do is get off and walk. This usually confuses the dogs and they lose interest. Of course, if I am shifting along and heading downhill I do sometimes just try and fly right past!

Doug is big, long, white and bendy - just like a noodle!