{"id":1426,"date":"2011-06-03T02:14:22","date_gmt":"2011-06-03T06:14:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/?p=1426"},"modified":"2016-12-30T12:35:54","modified_gmt":"2016-12-30T17:35:54","slug":"lessons-learned-bicycle-touring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/2011\/06\/lessons-learned-bicycle-touring\/","title":{"rendered":"60 months on tour, 60 lessons learned from life on the road"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pl-1426\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-1426-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-1426-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-1426-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<h2>World Biking 5 Year Anniversary!<\/h2>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #808080;\"><strong>Cycling around the planet for five years you're bound to learn something about the world.\u00a0 Here are a few things that have stuck with us:<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1506\" title=\"lessons learned from life on the road\" src=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/lessons_learned_lightbulb-500x402.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"402\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/lessons_learned_lightbulb-500x402.jpg 500w, http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/lessons_learned_lightbulb.jpg 612w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><br \/> <\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 90px;\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<ol style=\"padding-left: 60px;\"><\/ol>\n<ol style=\"padding-left: 60px;\">\n<li>\n<h5>All <a href=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/updates\/update26_malawi.html\" target=\"_blank\">\u2018helpful\u2019 road directions<\/a> should be disregarded unless confirmed by a minimum of three individuals.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>The world is basically made up of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/2011\/05\/robbed-in-bolivia\/\" target=\"_blank\">a few bad apples<\/a> and a lot of <a href=\"..\/..\/..\/..\/..\/..\/updates\/update42_kindness.html\">incredibly kind individuals<\/a>.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>Bicycle touring can be a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/2011\/01\/5-popular-myths-about-long-distance-bicycle-touring\/\" target=\"_blank\">surprisingly cheap way to see the world<\/a>.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>Contrary to what the cable news media would have you believe, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/updates\/Sizing_up_Security_on_your_Bike_Tour.html\" target=\"_blank\">you are unlikely to be robbed, killed or kidnapped<\/a> if you venture beyond the borders of your home country.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>There\u2019s no need for Americans to slap a Maple Leaf flag on their panniers and claim they come from Vancouver.\u00a0 Locals around the world (and yes, even in the Middle East!) are savvy enough to differentiate between the government and its people.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>When looking for camping spots, flowers surrounding a home are a clear indication of friendly folks inside.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>Prevailing winds are a myth.\u00a0\u00a0 The only prevailing winds you can count on are headwinds.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>Cyclists always find <a href=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/2011\/03\/16-creative-places-to-sleep\/\" target=\"_blank\">a safe place to sleep<\/a>.\u00a0 ALWAYS.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>If absence makes the heart grow fonder, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/2010\/11\/two-on-tour-a-survival-guide-to-cycling-with-a-partner\/\" target=\"_blank\">constant togetherness<\/a> makes the temper grow shorter.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>There are a lot of popular <a href=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/resources\/Top_Ten_Myths_Cycling_Africa_Bike_Touring_Resources.html\" target=\"_blank\">myths about Cycling Africa<\/a>.\u00a0 It\u2019s best to go for yourself and find out the truth about the planet\u2019s most adventurous continent.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>Local water will rarely make you sick.\u00a0 Drink up, reduce waste, save money.\u00a0 Filter when in doubt.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>Tires really can blow up.\u00a0 It pays to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/IMG_0029-800x533.jpg\" target=\"_blank\">check regularly for wear and tear<\/a>.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>Playing dumb will get you out of a lot of tricky situations.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>Thanks to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.warmshowers.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">Warm Showers<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.couchsurfing.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">Couchsurfing<\/a> and discount supermarkets, bicycle touring in Europe and the USA can be as cheap as third world cycling trips.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>You don\u2019t need to share a common language to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/updates\/update25_mozambique.html\" target=\"_blank\">communicate with locals<\/a>.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1450 alignright\" title=\"salah and family in Syria\" src=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/salah-and-family-in-Syria-500x333.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"320\" height=\"213\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/salah-and-family-in-Syria-500x333.jpg 500w, http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/salah-and-family-in-Syria-195x130.jpg 195w, http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/salah-and-family-in-Syria-350x233.jpg 350w, http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/salah-and-family-in-Syria.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-dd\">It's unlikely you'll spend many nights in the tent while cycling the Middle East.<\/p>\n<h5><a href=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/updates\/update33_jordan_syria_lebanon.html\" target=\"_blank\">Middle Easterners<\/a> are amazingly hospitable.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>If the Michelin map claims a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/updates\/update14_gabon.html\" target=\"_blank\">road is impassable in the rainy season<\/a>, trust them.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>Bus and truck drivers in developing countries have few qualms about flattening cyclists.\u00a0 As soon as that horn starts blasting, it\u2019s best to swallow your pride and dive into the bushes.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>Surprisingly few people can tell their right from their left.\u00a0 When someone tells you to take a right and then points to the left, go left.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1446 alignright\" title=\"left or right\" src=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/left-or-right.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"168\" height=\"159\" \/><\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>3<sup>rd<\/sup> world rules and regulations are refreshingly relaxed.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>If someone in the Andes assures you there are only a few small hills ahead, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/2011\/04\/cycling-southwest-bolivi\/\" target=\"_blank\">get ready for some serious climbs<\/a>.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>If an African tells <a href=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/updates\/update12_nigeria.html\" target=\"_blank\">you the road ahead is a little rough<\/a>, get ready to push.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1448 alignright\" title=\"blown away in patagonia\" src=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/blown-away-in-patagonia.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"314\" height=\"209\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/blown-away-in-patagonia.jpg 448w, http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/blown-away-in-patagonia-195x130.jpg 195w, http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/blown-away-in-patagonia-350x233.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 314px) 100vw, 314px\" \/>If a native of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/2010\/12\/new-beginnings-at-the-end-of-a-continent\/\" target=\"_blank\">Patagonia<\/a> warns you of a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/2010\/12\/new-beginnings-at-the-end-of-a-continent\/\" target=\"_blank\">windy section<\/a> ahead, get ready to be blown away.\u00a0 Literally.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>Bad roads make for better memories.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5><a href=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/resources\/Podcasts_and_Bicycle_Touring.html\" target=\"_blank\">Podcasts rock<\/a>!\u00a0 If you\u2019re worried about brain rot and boredom during a long bicycle tour, just plug into a podcast and get educated and entertained.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5><a href=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/2011\/04\/the-hard-way-round\/\" target=\"_blank\">Pushing your body<\/a> beyond its (supposed) limit sometimes feels good.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>It\u2019s better to ride your own ride because there will always be somebody who cycles harder, longer and to places farther off the beaten track.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>When travelling in developing countries, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/updates\/update27_tanzania.html\" target=\"_blank\">ear plugs quickly take a spot amongst the most prized possessions<\/a>.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>Don\u2019t want to end up in divorce court?\u00a0 Invest in a spacious tent.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5><a href=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/2010\/10\/bicycle-touring-by-numbers\/\" target=\"_blank\">Computers<\/a> are not meant to be shared.\u00a0 If you\u2019re travelling as a couple, take two.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>The evil eye, a few choice insults and a lot of fist shaking will usually <a href=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/updates\/10_reasons_to_go_bike_touring.html\" target=\"_blank\">keep even the most menacing dogs at bay<\/a>.\u00a0 If not, a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.dazer.com\/dog-deterrent.jsp\">Dog Dazer<\/a> will definitely do the trick.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>Adventure travel is addictive.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>To the average villager, <a href=\"..\/..\/..\/..\/..\/..\/resources\/What_to_Wear_Bike_Touring_Resources.html\">spandex looks really stupid<\/a>.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>Get up early.\u00a0 Nothing beats the simple <a href=\"..\/..\/..\/..\/..\/..\/updates\/11_things_I_love_about_bike_touring.html\">pleasure of riding along as the sun rises<\/a>.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>When all is said and done, kilometers really don\u2019t matter.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>A break from the bikes is the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/resources\/Touring_Fatigue_Bike_Touring_Resources.html\" target=\"_blank\">best cure for bicycle touring burnout<\/a>.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>Socks don\u2019t need to be changed daily, but underwear do.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>Squat toilets are far more hygienic than the sitting variety.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>Contrary to popular belief, <a href=\"..\/..\/..\/..\/..\/..\/updates\/update_48_biking_texas.html\">Texas is not inhabited by a bunch of bottle-throwing, cyclist-hating red-necks.<\/a> Locals are actually quite hospitable.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>Sleeping under a bridge is preferable to spending a night at one of Spain\u2019s mega campgrounds with their all-night discos.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5><a href=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/2010\/11\/the-serendipity-of-cycling\/\" target=\"_blank\">Submit to serendipity<\/a> and it will change your life<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>Locals will always warn cyclists of the \u2018extreme danger\u2019 in the neighboring country.\u00a0 It\u2019s best to nod, agree and then go anyway.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>If your raingear is packed at the bottom of your panniers, expect showers.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>Cyclists generally pack too many clothes and not enough food.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>If you <a href=\"..\/..\/..\/..\/..\/..\/updates\/update6_sahara.html\">camp without putting the fly on the tent<\/a>, it will definitely storm.\u00a0 Even in the Sahara.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>If you wish hard enough for <a href=\"..\/..\/..\/..\/..\/..\/updates\/update10_ghana.html\">a cold coke on a deserted road<\/a>, you just may get one.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>The best cycling spots are rarely the most popular.\u00a0 If you want real adventure pick a random road and just go for it or follow in the tracks of intrepid cyclists like <a href=\"http:\/\/whileoutriding.com\/\">Cass Gilbert<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thebigafricacycle.com\/\">Peter Gostelow<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/tomsbiketrip.com\/\">Tom Allen<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.lostcyclist.com\/\">Lars Bengtsson<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/pikesonbikes.blogspot.com\/\">or Harriet and Neil Pike<\/a>.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5><a href=\"..\/..\/..\/..\/..\/..\/staying_healthy.html\">Taking anti-malarials<\/a> doesn\u2019t guarantee you won\u2019t get malaria.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5><a href=\"..\/..\/..\/..\/..\/..\/updates\/update9_mali2.html\">Malaria is bad<\/a>, but <a href=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/2010\/06\/dengue-dampens-the-fun\/\" target=\"_blank\">dengue<\/a> can be far worse.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>Watching a <a href=\"http:\/\/vimeo.com\/groups\/wereldfietser\">bicycle touring video<\/a> is one of the best ways to re-motivate yourself to get back on the road.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>Bicycle touring isn\u2019t non-stop fun and adventure.\u00a0 There will be days when you\u2019re bored out of your mind, exhausted beyond belief or just plain fed up with life on the road.\u00a0 Accept this, prepare for this and then you probably won\u2019t quit.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1452\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1452\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1452\" title=\"amaya pushing\" src=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/amaya-pushing-500x333.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/amaya-pushing-500x333.gif 500w, http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/amaya-pushing-195x130.gif 195w, http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/amaya-pushing-350x233.gif 350w, http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/amaya-pushing.gif 650w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1452\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Not much fun at the time, but I sure am glad I didn't give up.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ol style=\"padding-left: 60px;\"><\/ol>\n<ol style=\"padding-left: 60px;\">\n<li>\n<h5>Family and friends can\u2019t always relate to bicycle touring adventures.\u00a0 Connecting on-line with <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/#%21\/list\/worldbiking\/bicycle-touring\">fellow cycling enthusiasts<\/a> who understand perfectly your passion for bicycle touring is a great way to find inspiration and support.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>Spending less money often leads to a better adventure.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>Always be suspicious when someone in a motorized vehicle tells you the town you\u2019re shooting for \u2018isn\u2019t far.\u2019\u00a0\u00a0 You\u2019re probably in for several more hours of cycling.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>Food always tastes better after a hard day\u2019s ride.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5><a href=\"http:\/\/www.koga.com\/\">Koga bicycles<\/a> are practically indestructible but <a href=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/2011\/05\/robbed-in-bolivia\/\" target=\"_blank\">definitely not theft-proof<\/a>.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>Flexibility is key to a successful long distance bicycle tour.\u00a0 You have to know when to change course and when to stick it out.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5>Most fear-mongers have never set foot outside their home country.\u00a0 Let their rants run in one ear and out the other.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5><a href=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/2011\/01\/bicycle-touring-patagonia\/\" target=\"_blank\">Wild camping<\/a> is one of the best parts of bicycle touring.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1454\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1454\" style=\"width: 450px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1454\" title=\"wild camping\" src=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/wild-camping.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/wild-camping.jpg 450w, http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/wild-camping-195x130.jpg 195w, http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/wild-camping-350x233.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1454\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Wild camping in Patagonia..life just doesn't get any better.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ol style=\"padding-left: 60px;\">\n<li>\n<h5>Almost no one ever regrets setting off on a bicycle adventure.\u00a0 As they say, the best day in the office is never as good as the worst day cycling.<\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 30px;\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>World Biking 5 Year Anniversary!Cycling around the planet for five years you&#8217;re bound to learn something about the world.\u00a0 Here are a few things that have stuck with us: \u00a0All \u2018helpful\u2019 road directions should be disregarded unless confirmed by a<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1506,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[311,26],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.10 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>60 months on tour, 60 lessons learned from life on the road - Worldbiking.info<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/2011\/06\/lessons-learned-bicycle-touring\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"60 months on tour, 60 lessons learned 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