Bike Travel Dreams

[blueskies]

I'm going to be grounded for the next 4 weeks (following minor surgery), and thought it would be a good time to start planning for next year. My husband gets a sabbatical every 7 years, and it's coming up. He'll get 2 months off, the kids are grown, and we're free to go wherever we want. We both love to ride, and I'm daydreaming about places to go.

Where would you go if you had 2 months? What would you do? Travel by bike? Travel with the bikes along?

Who wants to dream with me?

[Grog]

I'd tour New Zealand (on a bike).

Assuming it's the right "side" of the year...

[indigoiis]

I love where I live (New England) and would want to start here, and bike across the US.

[Zen]

Check out http://www.adventurecycling.org/landing_adventure.cfm?gclid=CKKAvp-Xlo8CFSBMGgodViSJew

[onimity]

right up my alley!

I am taking my bike to Patagonia this Dec/Jan, riding the Carretera Austral down to Tierra del Fuego. So I supposed that's what I'd do! :) I'm reading a *great* book Llamas & Empanadas (http://www.penguin.co.nz/afa.asp?idWebPage=30233&ID=1788610&SID=858711552) by Eleanor Meecham about her travels by bike through South America (mostly Argentina), but she also rides into Bolivia via the salt flats. Wild! [I took a 3 day jeep trip through the salt flats and now dream of doing it by bike...] I had some trouble finding it in the US but it was so worthwhile...an absolutely wonderful book. There are so many terrific places to cycle in South America and the people are really amazing.

I get a lot of inspiration from the Lonely Planet Thorn Tree 'On your Bike' forum (http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/categories.cfm?catid=32), also a lot from crazyguyonabike.com (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com)

Dreaming about places to travel is one of my favorite things...when I am not traveling!

Anne

[ChickWithBrains]

We're thinking of doing this in Jan/Feb (albeit with a group and a sag wagon). So excited to hear of other women heading off to similar adventures!!!

[blueskies]

Omnity,

Have you seen the Ribbon of Road web site?

"On July 26, 2005, Brooks Allen & Gregg Bleakney embarked on a 19,500 mile bicycle journey from Prudhoe Bay (the most northern road accessible point in Alaska) to Tierra del Fuego, the southern most tip of Argentina. Their goal is to raise $50,001 to help fight Diabetes"

Bleakney completed the whole trip, and it's documented on the site. Words don't do justice to the photos he took. The Bolivian salt flats are unworldly.

http://www.ribbonofroad.com/gallery.html

Check the album at Stage 3, Part 5 for the salt flats.

[blueskies]

Today's dream: Biking & Beaches Down Under

(inspired by Crazy Canuck's link to the Munda Biddi trail site)

A 2 month trip to Australia, with some shorter cycling trips included within:

- Biking the Munda Biddi trail (& then sight-seeing in Western Australia)

- The 2008 Great Escapade

http://www.bv.com.au/great-rides/30589/

- Biking the great ocean road?

- Mixing in some surfing & snorkeling along the way...


What are Australia's cycling highlights?

And I've never ridden a mountain bike. But I'd love to do that Munda Biddi trail end-to-end....

[crazycanuck]

Well Blueskies...:cool:

Since i don't recommend trying to see all of Australia in two months i could suggest the following. Western Australia has lots to offer but if you want to bike anywhere interesting you'll be on the road for days...WA is HUGE

http://www.westernaustralia.com/au/Pages/Welcome_to_Western_Australia.aspx
You can ride your mtn bike along the Munda Biddi
Take your Mtn Bike over to Rottnest Island www.rottnestisland.com
Drive up the coast to Exmouth & discover the Ningaloo Reef http://www.ningalooreef.net/
Surf in Margaret River & oh yea drink wine

That's just a start...
C

[eleanor from nz]

I'm reading a *great* book Llamas & Empanadas (http://www.penguin.co.nz/afa.asp?idWebPage=30233&ID=1788610&SID=858711552) by Eleanor Meecham about her travels by bike through South America

Hey there, glad you're enjoying the book :-)
Just to stick my nose in, I'd like to add a link to Amazon Canada, for anyone who happens to be interested in getting their own copy of Llamas and Empanadas, no matter where you are in the world:

http://www.amazon.ca/Llamas-Empanadas-Eleanor-Meecham/dp/0143006401/ref=sr_1_1/701-4872993-1076307?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1188558419&sr=8-1

Good luck with the Carretera Austral... I hear it's incredibly beautiful. Don't forget to take a good rainjacket though, and lots of extra brake pads!
Happy cycling,
eleanor