{"id":1407,"date":"2011-05-27T13:11:01","date_gmt":"2011-05-27T16:11:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/?p=1407"},"modified":"2016-05-29T11:17:12","modified_gmt":"2016-05-29T15:17:12","slug":"a-6000-mistake-post-theft-thoughts-on-moving-on","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/2011\/05\/a-6000-mistake-post-theft-thoughts-on-moving-on\/","title":{"rendered":"A $6,000 mistake: post-theft thoughts on moving on"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"60 seconds or so. <\/strong><\/p>\n

That\u2019s all it took for a bold bicycle thief to bound away on Eric\u2019s fully-loaded KOGA.<\/p>\n

Those careless 60 seconds in Bolivia will probably turn out to be the most costly moments of my life.<\/p>\n

Because when you add it all up, those 60 seconds of distraction tally up to a painful $6,000.<\/p>\n

A big, bad shock<\/h3>\n

Six thousand dollars!\u00a0 That\u2019s about what we spent in our first 9 months of cycling around South America.<\/p>\n

Now, I\u2019ve always been one to preach that bicycle touring is affordable for everyone.\u00a0 So when Eric ran the figures and claimed that replacing bicycle and gear would run around $6,000, I was catapulted into a state of shock and disbelief.<\/p>\n

$6,000 is an enormous sum of money to two itinerant cyclists whose yearly accommodation expenditure in 2010 was just $182.<\/p>\n

No way, I thought.<\/p>\n

Running the numbers<\/h3>\n

Turns out, his $6,000 figure is just about right.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s more or less how it breaks down:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Koga World Traveller:\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 $3,000<\/p>\n

2 laptop computers:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 $500<\/p>\n

Complete set of Ortlieb Panniers: $450<\/p>\n

Spare parts and Tools:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 $600<\/p>\n

Sleeping Bags:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 $400<\/p>\n

Contact Lenses\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 $200<\/p>\n

Leatherman tool\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 $100<\/p>\n

Medicine\/water purification tablets:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 $100<\/p>\n

Clothing:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 $550<\/p>\n

Misc. Electronics\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 $100<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The truth of the matter<\/h3>\n

Of course there are ways to get back on the road for less than $6,000.\u00a0 A less robust bike, deals off e-bay, second-hand shops and such.<\/p>\n

But the actual value of all the stuff we were lugging around was pretty high.\u00a0 Fortunately, we never had to fork out $6,000 for those $6,000 worth of goods.<\/p>\n

Sponsor<\/a>s set us up with a lot of great gear we could have never otherwise afforded.<\/p>\n

And in spite of these tough economic times, a few loyal sponsors are coming through in our post-theft time of need.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Isn’t she beautiful? I’m actually a little envious of Eric’s new bike.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We\u2019re particularly grateful to the fine folks at Koga who are helping us out with a substantial discount on a new Koga Signature World Traveller<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Kogas are expensive .\u00a0 But they\u2019re worth it.<\/p>\n

Eric\u2019s convinced there\u2019s no other bike on the market that can withstand the rigors of almost 100,000 kilometers of world travel.<\/p>\n

With Koga\u2019s help, our $6,000 disaster is down to a more reasonable $5,000 mishap.<\/p>\n

Help from around the world<\/h3>\n

And with the financial support of blog readers and friends in the bicycle touring community, we\u2019ve cut our losses to a mere $3,000 blunder.<\/p>\n

A huge thank you<\/strong> to all who\u2019ve pitched in to help us out after this unexpected financial setback.<\/p>\n

We are truly amazed at the generosity and kindness we\u2019ve experienced and incredibly grateful for the help.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Thanks for the help!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Moving on<\/h3>\n

Slowly we\u2019re getting back on our feet.\u00a0 Adjusting to the idea that our circumnavigation of South America won\u2019t come to fruition this time round (but we will<\/strong> catch those countries sooner or later).<\/p>\n

12 countries & 21,600 kilometers down, with just 2 countries & 6,000 kilometers to go.\u00a0 That hurts.\u00a0 Coming close just doesn\u2019t cut it.<\/p>\n

The decision to change course wasn\u2019t an easy one.\u00a0 We wrangled long and hard with returning to the US or remaining in South America.<\/p>\n

All things are possible, but…<\/h3>\n

I won\u2019t say it would have been impossible to stay in Bolivia and get equipped with a new bicycle and gear.\u00a0 But hard.\u00a0 Pretty damn hard.<\/p>\n

You probably don\u2019t want to be bored with the details.\u00a0 But suffice to say there are tricky customs rules and exorbitant shipping costs, coupled with the possibility of less than honest officials who might just hold a high-priced bike hostage.<\/p>\n

Wait a minute<\/h3>\n

You might just be saying to yourself, \u201cHey, aren\u2019t Eric and Amaya the ones who drone on about how great gear and a fancy bike really aren\u2019t necessary (see Myth Number 3<\/a>)?\u201d<\/p>\n

You may be thinking, \u201cI\u2019m sure they sell bikes, stoves, sleeping bags, contact lenses and computers in Bolivia.\u201d<\/p>\n

And they do.\u00a0\u00a0 Of course they do.\u00a0 There are bikes and sleeping bags, contact lenses and camping stoves.\u00a0 All that stuff\u2019s available in Bolivia.\u00a0 It\u2019ll cost you, and the quality won\u2019t be the greatest, but if you search hard enough you can get pretty much everything you need for a bike tour.<\/p>\n

A change of heart<\/h3>\n

Let me clarify my thoughts on great gear and fancy bikes.<\/p>\n

They\u2019re not necessary in most cases.\u00a0 But quality gear and a tough touring bike do make a difference. \u00a0 Especially if\u00a0 you\u2019re taking on high passes over 5,000 meters and sleeping out in sub-zero temperatures in remote areas.<\/p>\n

Call me spoiled, but I\u2019m fond of thick down sleeping bags, multi-fuel stoves that keep on cooking and bikes that don\u2019t bust when you\u2019re climbing some high Andean pass that\u2019s a three days\u2019 walk to the nearest village.<\/p>\n

Eric loves his dependable KOGA.\u00a0 He\u2019s got an unhealthy attachment to his KOGA.<\/p>\n

Changing Continents<\/h3>\n

So, with a lot of hand wringing and more than a few tears, we opted for what seems to be the easiest and best solution.<\/p>\n

A cheap flight to Florida. Back to the USA.<\/p>\n

Back to the land of mind-boggling choice and efficient customer service.<\/p>\n

Back to the land of bargain-priced computers and ubiquitous outdoor shops.<\/p>\n

Back to the land of plenty where arranging the shipment of a shiny new KOGA is as easy as ringing up UPS.<\/p>\n

\"\"Plan B<\/h3>\n

We\u2019re busy organizing new gear and working out Plan B.<\/p>\n

ALASKA.<\/p>\n

Yep, we\u2019re heading north.\u00a0 All the way to the Arctic Circle.<\/p>\n

It\u2019ll be quite a ride.\u00a0 Get ready for grizzly bears and glaciers, towering mountains and long stretches of tundra.<\/p>\n

Sure, Alaska\u2019s not the Andes, but still a pretty good way to get over the heartbreak of our aborted South America circumnavigation.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n