It All Began in Egypt: Cycling a Continent
As we speak, we are in Egypt speaking at a travel conference. Nearly 4 years ago to the day, we are back in the country that changed our lives. It was in 2008 that our entire adventure began and ThePlanetD was born when we flew into Egypt for the start of the Tour d’Afrique. We [...]
Bikes, Boats and Elephants in Northern Thailand
It’s been two weeks of non-stop adventures in Thailand thanks to The Tourism Authority of Thailand and we are ending with a fabulous day of bikes, boats and elephants.
Vietnam Cycling Challenge!
One volunteer and intrepid traveler is taking part in the GVN Foundation’s Cycling Challenge in Vietnam. Biking over 500km to raise funds for orphans, medical care and salaries for physical therapists who work with the severely disabled children.
A Good Day in Xi’an
If your travelling to China, chances are you’re going to go to Xi’an. It where the Terracotta Warriors reside and the mighty underground army is one of China’s most popular sites.But the city of Xi’an is worth a visit in it’s own right. China’s original capital, Xi’an is the oldest city in the country. With a history spanning over 3000 years Xi’an was one of the four great ancient capitals of China and was the origin of the famous ancient Silk Route heading west.
Cycling the Countryside of Incredible Yangshuo
We arrived in Yangshuo on an early morning train from the Hong Kong border. As we drove in comfort sheltered from the crisp air, I looked out the window to a wondrous sight. Layers of dark limestone peaks towered over the misty countryside creating the quintessential image of a mystical China. I knew that there were Karst formations in Yangshuo; I just didn’t expect to see them so soon. I also didn’t expect them to be so great in size.
Cycle Africa Media Presentation at Intrepid Travel
Looking for a fun evening out this fall? Intrepid Travels hosts free events on Wednesday nights and we will be kicking off the Autumn season with a slide show/media presentation on our cycling trip through Africa. Have you always wanted to take on an epic journey? Have you made a New Years Resolution only to see it fizzle after a couple of months? We made a New Years Resolution on the eve of 2007 and turned our dream into a reality. Come on out to see how we made it happen and are now living our dreams.
Mountain Biking Adventure in Pokhara Nepal
The sky was hazy when we made our way to Pokhara in Central Nepal. We were considering a short trek on the Annapurna circuit after completing our Everest Base Camp Trek, but once we arrived in Pokhara, we decided that we would wait for our next trip to Nepal to do either the entire Annapurna circuit or to climb to Annapurna Base Camp. Dave and I found that there are a lot of things to keep you occupied here besides trekking into the Himalayas and one of them is mountain biking.
Mountain Biking in Sri Lanka…Sort of
Dave and I love to mountain bike. We hit the trails regularly in the summer and get out of the city as much as possible. It is so much fun to ride a new obstacle with success, get up the nerve to go down a steep trail and totally gratifying to conquer an epic climb. When we read that we could mountain bike in Sri Lanka’s Hill Country, we made sure to hop on the train to check it out. We didn’t have any shoes or helmets and unfortunately they don’t rent them along with the bikes. We had been itching for a ride however, so we decided to chance it and see what trails are around the area.
Cycling is Such a Great Idea – But can Everybody Have a Bike
Cycling is such a great utilitarian activity many of us take it for granted. And there are people that have one or two bicycles for each different kind of activity. Many of us are so fortunate, living in an affluent society like Europe or North America, to find so many bicycle stores and other suppliers of bicycles in every neighbourhood. Yet we fail to realize how lucky we are. Many of us simply don’t know how hard it can be for a person living in most parts of the third world to have access to a simple two wheeler. People who earn about one-tenth of our hourly wages in a whole week will have to pay the same price as we do to buy the same bike in their places. It is simply not fair.
Top 10 Fears about Cycling Through Africa
We had traveled around the world before, but this was something completely different. After all, it was going to be our first time camping in the desert and in the jungle, it was going to be our first time stepping foot on the African soil and it was our first time ever crossing an entire continent on bicycle. We were in for quite and adventure.
Cycling Africa in the Tour d’Afrique – Gear List
Here is a list of what we brought with us to cycle Africa, what we should have left behind, a review of our bikes and what we should have brought. Remember, this was a supported expedition and if we were to cycle independently, we would take far less gear. Since we had trucks carrying our red boxes and all we had to carry was our water and snacks, we could bring far more than a solo rider.
5 More Ridiculous Travel Experiences
We have done so many bone head moves traveling and have had so many close calls in potentially dangerous situations, that I had to add a part two to our list. So here are some more ridiculous situations that could have gone bad, but luckily didn’t and now we can laugh about them. 5; Having [...]
We Cycled the Continent of Africa.
120 Days and it is over, just like that. How do you sum up the most challenging experience of your life on one short blog? Well, let’s try….
Last Day in Namibia. South Africa Awaits our Final Stretch
Yesterday we travelled 178km from Fish River Canyon. The world’s 2nd Largest Canyon after the Grand Canyon. 130 of those kilometres were off road on sand, corrugation, gravel and some tough climbs. When we finally hit the tarmac, we turned directly into a brutal headwind. Yipes, we were on the road for 9 hours yesterday. It didn’t help that it was a non race day, so we decided to take it easy and catch up on some photography. But part way through the morning, we decided that we had better get moving.
Let’s Bike 207 km on the Elephant Highway in Botswana
Yes, it was a very big week. 5 century’s (100 mile days) in a row with a 207 km day smack dab in the middle of it all. It was surprisingly not too bad. The winds were co-operating and the road was flat, so we just put on our I Pods and peddled the days [...]
Three Months into the Tour d’Afrique; the Pressure’s on.
If all goes well, on May 10th we will be riding into Cape Town. These last three months have been some of the most difficult and challenging times of our life. Dave and I do tend to put a lot of pressure on our selves though. He is still one of the few hanging on [...]
Plan Project in Malawi
We visited Mkoma Preschool today and what an amazing experience we had. After finally hooking up with Patrick we made it out to the school that Plan built. We were greeted by a mob of children and caregivers singing traditional songs beautifully. Their warm smiles immediately made us feel welcome.
Before Plan arrived, the villages surrounding the school did not have a place to study. They crammed into a small church and had limited facilities.
Now, they are thriving with a preschool and a primary school complex, where they are taught creative arts, reading science and nature and even physical education.
Cycling in Malawi During the Rainy Season
It is a blog full of great news! First, we had another article and photo published in the Toronto Star click here to read about our Kilimanjaro adventure. Next, I am back! 9 days and a lot of pain killers and antibiotics later and I am riding again. I lost a lot of hours, but [...]
Cycling Crash in Tanzania turns Bad
Now let me tell you about Dave’s week. He road fast, hard and had a couple of baboons follow him trying to get to his water bottles full of Fast Fuel. I think it was that particular moment that put him into 4th. He probably took 15 minutes off of his time while he was being pursued by these vicious little monkeys:)
What it is like to Cycle in Ethiopia on the Tour d’Afrique
Life here so far in the TDA becomes a bit surreal to say the least. Days no longer have names, just distances and vague directions.
This will give you an idea of what we have to go through.
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