Destinations « Cycling Around The World – the Blog

  • Author: admin
  • Published: Jan 23rd, 2012
  • Category: Destinations
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In August and September 2011 we travelled by bicycle in Mongolia. The trip took four weeks to complete. The total distance cycled was around 900 kms. We started and ended our trip in Ulan Bataar. We first hired a “taxi” to take us out of town. We started cycling near Amarbayasgalant then travelled west to Erdenet and Bulgan. Then south to Tsesterleg and east again to Karkorin and finally Arkayveer. There we chartered a minibus to take us back to the capital.  Read the tour report, background info and see  the photos

  • Author: admin
  • Published: Nov 23rd, 2010
  • Category: Destinations, News, On the road
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I just finished a new tour report on our Cycling Around The World pages. It tells you all the details of latest trip that started in September this year. We started in Fresno and ended in Tom’s Place in the Owens Valley ( Eastern Sierra). We covered more than 700 kilometers in two weeks. We crossed fabulous Yosemite National Park and battled up the equally famous Tioga Pass. The weather was great, the weather was very hot and on the last days we even had snow!

Below are some pictures to wet your appetite. Want more? See our California pages

Giant trees in Sequoia NP

Tunnel Viewpoint Yosemite NP

Fixing a flat tyre along I395 (Eastern Sierra)

Bad weather on Tioga Pass Road

  • Author: admin
  • Published: Jul 13th, 2010
  • Category: Destinations, News
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As I have visited South Africa two times my anttention was particularly drawn to these pages about South African every day bicycle culture.  SA is great country to travel around by bicycle but not a lot of people seem to do so.  Yes we’ve have seen mountain bikers and road racers (mostly white South Africans) but only very few other South Africans travelling by or using a bike. You may want to check out our travel reports

Stan Engelbrecht and a friend and fellow bicycle enthusiast, Nic Grobler, and started a project investigating South African bicycle culture, and the lack of cyclist commuters out there on our roads.

They want to raise the funds to turn this project into a self-published full-color hard-cover photographic book They’ll be shooting the entire project from their own bicycles while traveling around the country – this will enable them to meet everyday South Africans out there while they use their bicycles.

Bicycle Portraits from Bicycle Portraits on Vimeo.

Through publishing this book, they want to be able to assist the underprivileged cycling community through their project – be it teaching bicycle maintenance skills, providing necessities like helmets, tires, tubes, locks…

  • Author: admin
  • Published: May 16th, 2010
  • Category: Destinations, On the road
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Vladislav Ketov is a Russian who has really developed and implemented a project  of the first trip made really around the world (land) along the coastline of the continents.

This was a cycling trip lasting 20 years! Unaccompanied  he traveled to Europe, Africa, south and south-east of Asia and both Americas (except Arctic coast) and left behind 144 000 km.

The trip started in 14th, May, 1991 from Leningrad. The main transportation mode was a bicycle as the most affordable kind of eco-friendly transport.

His trip becomes even more unique as Vladislav has no money. During his traveling he earns by drawing portraits.He tells that in all countries he was welcomed and people were kind and hospitable.

His website is worth a  look at

  • Author: admin
  • Published: Apr 19th, 2010
  • Category: Destinations, News, On the road, Reviews, Tips
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Canals, houseboats and bicycles are all part of the furniture in Amsterdam. Anyone who has visited the city will tell you that, round here, the humble cyclist rules the road.

Cycling lanes are as important as major motorways and official figures from the I am Amsterdam organization estimate about 600,000 bicycles circulate amongst the 750,000 inhabitants. Amsterdam is ideal for bike holidays because it is so flat!

Many Amsterdam hostels and accommodation providers are geared up to be cycle friendly. All the main attractions are close-by and with an estimated 600,000 bikes in circulation, residents know that cycling is the most authentic and convenient way to experience the city thanks to the huge cycle lanes and road signs.

So, to join in with the other pedal pushers, and stay at stay at one of the Amsterdam hostels They’ll kit you out with accommodation and transportation all in one go.

And best of all, you have up to the 30th April to be in with a chance of winning your bike rental for free!

And while you are there, why not expand you bicycle adventure beyond the capital. Like Amsterdam, the rest of the country is best seen from a bicycle saddle.

  • Author: admin
  • Published: Feb 9th, 2010
  • Category: Destinations, On the road
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Sure, it feels fantastic to traverse the vast stretches of the best roads in the world. But cycling a complicated road, one that twists and turns, or has downright congested traffic, or unforgiving terrain? They might give you a headache, but it sure feels good when you’ve conquered them.

Here is the  list of the world’s most complicated and dangerous roads I spotted on WAVE,  a website providing free turn-by-turn navigation based on the live conditions of the road. OK it’s for car people, but we have one thing in common with them, we share these roads with them.

two cyclists on death road Bolivia

Some of these complicated mountain passes can be dangerous if not negotiated with utmost caution, while others are complicated sets of roads and bridges, erected to ensure a streamlined flow of traffic at busy junctions (best to be avoided by cyclists). Some of the roads metioned here are probably even off  limits to cyclists.

the 45 km descent from Lava to Gurubathan in India

Amazingly enough on some of the pictures that illustrate this article you can spot cyclists! Yes, we  can go everywhere! Even beyond where cars can go, as we always can push, or even carry our bikes.

Read the full post at http://www.waze.com/blog/the-19-most-complex-and-dangerous-roads-in-the-world/ .

  • Author: admin
  • Published: Jan 24th, 2010
  • Category: Destinations, News, Reviews
  • Comments: 6

Tags: book, holland, netherlands

New photo book by American photojournalist Shirley Agudo

The Dutch are bicycle crazy, but never before has anyone captured the essence of the Dutch cycling culture – until now. American photojournalist Shirley Agudo – a long-term resident of the Netherlands – captures it all in her new book full of surprising and humorous images. Depicted are people transporting ‘anything and everything’ on their bikes – from tables and mattresses to the wildly popular bakfiets overflowing with children – along with witty and bizarre bike designs, and the practical (and not so practical) side of a country having more bicycles than people.

Old, young, barely-walking and, yes, even naked cyclists have been captured in all their glory in Shirley Agudo’s fascinating volume of photography and facts about the Dutch cycling mania.

Shirley and contributing photographers Trevor Waldron, Ben Deiman and Max Rubenacker take us along some of the 29,000 kilometers (18,000 miles) of bike paths and into the heart of Amsterdam and other Dutch cities to show us how pervasive, practical and incredible the Dutch cycling culture really is. It’s all here – the history, the infrastructure, the mentality and the global reputation of a culture gone completely mad about bikes.

Makes a great souvenir for anyone who has been cycling in the Netherlands or a great gift for someone who is planning to do so.  Included are practical ‘Rules of the Road,’ ‘The Lowdown on Fines,’ and many more handy tips, plus a wealth of cycling-related websites. Available now at bookshops throughout the Netherlands and www.bicycle-mania.nl. For international orders, please see www.hollandbooks.nl.

Planning to visit the Netherlands by bike?  Then a visit to this website is an absolute must.

ISBN 978 90 5594 698 3, 180 pages, 150 photos, published by XPat Media with Scriptum.
20 x 20 cm, Paperback, Price € 16

dutch cyclist moving a matress

  • Author: admin
  • Published: Jan 12th, 2010
  • Category: Destinations, On the road
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Thousands of photographs sit on my harddisk waiting to be viewed. Many end up on the trip report pages on Cycling Around The World.  And a few of them I keep using every time again. These  images that tell a story, are now collected on this page. Some of these pictures go back as long as twenty years, when I made my first really long   bike trips.  Read previous post on part 1

Cycling the east coast of Sri Lanka

This photo was taken somewhere along the troubled eastern coast of the island of Sri Lanka. The year is 2004, just a few weeks before the tsunami would hit and destroy most of this coastline. At that moment there was a heavy military presence as you can see from the barbed wire on the right side of the picture. A bit down the  road were checkposts protected by mine fields and heavily armed soldiers. Cycling here was no problem.

Camping on the shores of a glacier lake in Iceland

This a Lake Jokulsarlon and as you can see  it’s cold out there. After a long day of battling a strong head wind we just had to stop there, The next campsite was still miles away and here we found a great shelter behind this stone wall already setup by previous campers. Later that afternoon the wind ceased to blow us away and seals came to have a look at us.

Exploring Denali National Park (Alaska USA)

Another icy picture. This is Denali NP in beautiful Alaska. Initially we had planned to take the park bus to the far end of the park road, camp there a night or two and then peddle back. Unfortunately it was half way september and the first snow swept in. The park road was closed, and would remain closed for the rest of the winter. We ended up at another park campsite but wre able to make a great trip along a deserted and snow covered park road.

Crossing a Amazonian river by canoe

Of of our earlier trips. This image is in the hot and humid jungle of Ecuador. The river is the Rio Napo, one of the tributaries of the mighty Amazon river. Just by following this stream we could have travelled to the eastern side of the south american continent, thousands of kilometres away. But we just crossed 😉 and explored some remote roads before climbing back to the Ecuadorian highlands crossing a mountain pass of 4200 m.

Navigating in the Namibian desert

This was really a very lonely place. Desert indeed must originate from the word deserted. Of course we had a map and knew where to go. But signposts were rare and by afternoon the sun burned on our heads. Swakopmund, our destination was still 1oo kilometers away. Yes, we  would finally get there.

Read previous post on part 1

  • Author: admin
  • Published: Jan 5th, 2010
  • Category: Destinations, Tips
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After having travelled by bike around a more than 30 countries there are a few that stay in your memory as a very menorable biketrip. A place to return and to enjoy again. Here is the list. It may change in the future (more biketrips to come, more countries to explore)  but for now it’s pretty final.

The Netherlands
Ok, I live there 😉 Because Holland is the most cycle friendly country in the world. Cycling is a way of life…  Holland has got the best cycle lane network in the world. You can cycle on more than 19.000 kilometres of bicycles paths and lanes. It makes cycling in Holland enjoyable and safe (Holland is the fourth safest country as far as traffic concerns. Only the U.K., Sweden and Norway have lower numbers of fatalities). And there are a few other reasons as well. Just have a look at this website entirely dedicated to bicycle travel in the Netherlands.

Homepage of holland.cyclingaroundtheworld.nl

The USA
Another great place with a wide variation of scenery, excellent roads (most of the time) and plenty of facilities. I’ve been there a few times (Arizona, Utah, Alaska) and it’s always good cycling. Actually the USA is a good place to start your first overseas biketrip when you’re an unexperienced around the world biker (and not living there).

Just north of Denail NP (Alaska)

South Africa
This is a place that never stops to amaze me. The scenery is just as good as the USA, the road network in prime shape. Plenty of places to camp or stay as well. Few people seem to travel here by bike but racing and mountain biking is very popular (so plenty of bike shops as well). A lot of people consider SA an unsafe option. Yes indeed, there seems to be a lot of violence in the cities but outside on the countryside everything is much more relaxed. There are high mountainpasses to climb, beautiful coastal roads and endless deserts. Check ut my South African travel on http://www.cyclingaroundtheworld.nl/southafrica

Overlooking Sani Pass on the border of South Africa and Lesotho

India
 I must not forget this one! A country you either love or hate, or even love and hate at the same time. I´ve been there three  times now and will return some time in the future,  The largest democracy in the world 1 billlion people never ceases to amaze. OK it can be very busy there, avoid the main roads and stay away from the cities, although I have biked in Delhi as well and survived it! My first trip was a all India tour lasting 5 months from the Nepal border down to the hot and steamy south, ending at Chennai. Indian food is still among my favourites.

Visiting a local shop in Northern India

to be continued….

  • Author: admin
  • Published: Jul 14th, 2009
  • Category: Destinations, Tips
  • Comments: 4

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I´ve been to dozens of countries now and every visit to a new destination is exciting. Years of cycling have given me  a some tips and tricks to get the most out of my bike trip. In this post I’m sharing these with you. You’are invited to add your comment and additional advice below.

1. Go in the right season. Nothing is more frustrating than arriving in the monsoon season (you´ll be washed away) or the too hot season (you’ll be roasted). So plan your trip in time.

2. Get some maps in advance. There is no need to plan every mile but some idea of the countries infra road system will help. I’ve discovered that Google Maps and Google Earth can help a lot.

View of the Swartberg Pass in South Africa (Google Earth)

3. Get your vaccinations. Going to the tropics? Get your malaria stuff etc.  It really not very pleasant to get a tropical disease that can be avoided by some simple vaccinations at home. Check out your destination to see  if a rabies vaccination could be useful. In most countries dogs are not dangerous but there are exceptions.

4.  When in doubt try to contact some one who has been there and has travelled by bicycle. Do not rely on your nephew or colleague who has seen that country five years ago and did  it al by car.  That’s simply not god enough.  A road that looks nice from the comy seat of a car can be  a real torture from the saddle. The might say “Oh the towns are not very far apart..”, meaning 200 – 300 kms (with nothing in between).

5.  Get some sort of (medical) insurance. At least good enough to get you home in case of serious emergencies. Such as accidents or illness. I generally do not find it very useful to insure bicycle and gear.

6. Check your bike and gear before leaving. Do a 100% !! check on your bike (or have it done) and replace anything that may fail in the near future. Het new tyres and tubes and replace the brake pads.  And make a test ride before setting off  into the unknown. Bicycle repair facilities in many third world countries are often very limited.

7.  Bring essential spare parts. As bike shops that sell state of the art equipment are rare in many countries you should bring some of the essentials. Start with some spare tubes, a spare tyes and some spokes.

One speed bike in Himalaya

8.  Don’t over prepare! It’s good to prepare yourself (see above tips 😉 but the reality of a longer bike trip in a strange far away country is something you cannot always prepare for.

On a  trip through the Indian Himalayas my derailleur broke beyond repair. The only shop to replace this essential part was probably hundreds of kilometers away in New Delhi, back down to the plains.  So I simply removed it and shortened my chain to ride to rest of the trip on a one speed bike. Not ideal but the only thing  I could do to continue the trip.

And do not believe everything that is published on the internet.

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