Buy the ticket, take the ride…

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Buy the ticket, take the ride…

Having left the sandy shores of Australia nearly a year before, I’m left with a similar choice to the one that brought me here.

I’ve spent the year researching, locating and purchasing equipment for the bicycle tour ahead. I’d already decided that I was going to start at John O’Groats at the top of Scotland and ride my bicycle, somehow, back to Australia. The only way I was getting home from the UK was on two non-motorised wheels, that’s the deal I’d made with myself. The only question was the timing.

Having never lived in a small town before, Keswick was been a new and welcome experience. Overall it’s been an easy, comfortable year and I have the belly to prove it.

But, as the spring thaw set in and the birds started to make their nests, I had to decide if it was time to leave mine. I considered staying here for another year – I was faced with the same difficulty I had leaving steady work and a good life in Australia. The difference now is that I miss my family and friends back home and even if I leave now, I’ll be missing them for a while yet.

In the end, the choice was clear. Buy the ticket, take the ride.

So three weeks from today I say goodbye to Keswick forever and start the long slog home. The rough plan is: Scotland, Ireland, England, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India, Myanmar (Burma!), Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia.

As the days roll by, I can’t help but feel a sense of trepidation at the task I’ve set for myself. I’ve spent a huge amount of time reading about equipment and strategies people use on long distance bicycle tours. In contrast, I’ve read relatively little about the places I intend to go, but enough to know that there are few places in the world you can’t see and experience for yourself – if you set your mind to it.

6 Responses to “Buy the ticket, take the ride…”

  1. Helen Lewis says:

    Good luck Jordan – keep in touch

  2. John Leopold says:

    Hi Jordon! Best of luck mate, and lots of tail winds!! I would strongly recommend contacting Alastair Humphreys in London. He has peddled through most of the countries on your itinerary, and would no doubt have some helpful suggestions. You can reach him through his website at: http://www.alastairhumphreys.com/

  3. Mike Copeland says:

    Jordy. My man! You are a crazy son of a bitch but I have total faith in your reckless abandon for the establishment and your desire to do what YOU know is RIGHT and GOOD. All the best in your wild ride and I look forward to a sharing a scotch on your return to little old Adelaide.

  4. Ben Noblet says:

    Wow never let it be said that my brother chooses easy challenges for himself!

    Glad to see you back on the road, stay safe and in touch. Happy Peddling!

  5. Jordan, hope you made it to John O’ Groats OK, you looked a bite concerned at Penrith that the rail company had messed up with the bike part of your tickets, but that’s what they do best.

    Anyway we all hope your mad, mad journey goes well we will be following your progress

    Good luck from all at Keswick Computers

  6. Jordan, Nice to meet you today at the Glenlivet Distillery along with Prince Charles! Loiusa and I wish you well on your adventures. Stay safe and good luck. We will be following your progress. Kind regards.


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