Touring - Status of the RTW tour :)

I got to England, the end of the first stage of my round-the-world trip, about three weeks ago. My plan was to work a little while here and save some pennies then continue my trip through the middle east etc; anyway, after three weeks of fruitless job searching, I decided to just continue riding around the U.K.

I was passing by Bristol when I remembered that Thorn cycles was based there. I stopped in to drool at the bikes, and somehow, I ended up with a job! One happy tourer here! Anyway my plan is to work here for a while, buy a heavily discounted Thorn and continue my trip. Also, I was talking to Alistair Humphreys (http://www.alastairhumphreys.com/), and he agreed to lend me the frame he used to cycle around the world a few years back. I torn between using this or a Thorn Argh, the choices! ;)

If anyone wants to buy a 2007 Trek 520 (Very well specced, Tubus racks, sks guards, brooks bar tape etc; ) and you're nearby let me know!

Anyway, I just wanted to share the news of my lucky break. If anyone interested in joining or following my trip, visit www.bikevoyage.blogspot.com (http://www.bikevoyage.blogspot.com)

Sounds like you have hit on the perfect job and I bet you get heaps of inspiration, advice and tips working there. What a great place to reflect on the next stage of your journey! Good luck and keep us up to date. We are now "friends" on Facebook because I wanted to see your photos from your trip (in case you were wondering who the heck that was that asked to be your friend a few weeks back)

Friedel

I got to England, the end of the first stage of my round-the-world trip, about three weeks ago. My plan was to work a little while here and save some pennies then continue my trip through the middle east etc; anyway, after three weeks of fruitless job searching, I decided to just continue riding around the U.K.

I was passing by Bristol when I remembered that Thorn cycles was based there. I stopped in to drool at the bikes, and somehow, I ended up with a job! One happy tourer here! Anyway my plan is to work here for a while, buy a heavily discounted Thorn and continue my trip. Also, I was talking to Alistair Humphreys (http://www.alastairhumphreys.com/), and he agreed to lend me the frame he used to cycle around the world a few years back. I torn between using this or a Thorn Argh, the choices! ;)

If anyone wants to buy a 2007 Trek 520 (Very well specced, Tubus racks, sks guards, brooks bar tape etc; ) and you're nearby let me know!

Anyway, I just wanted to share the news of my lucky break. If anyone interested in joining or following my trip, visit www.bikevoyage.blogspot.com (http://www.bikevoyage.blogspot.com)

Congrats on the great job - sounds perfect! What made you want to get rid of the 520?

Congrats on the great job - sounds perfect! What made you want to get rid of the 520?

I'll be getting a new Thorn Raven Nomad! The Trek 520 has served me well, but I'm not too sure how it would handle itself on rough roads/no roads. Super bike nevertheless.

Hi Friedel, I gathered that you were a cyclist too, always happy to add one of the chosen few as friends on fb!

I'm not too sure how it would handle itself on rough roads/no roads.

Is the bike your getting (such as the Thorn) better for european cycling becuse the terrain is MUCHG different here and that tourers usually go over land as well? THose bikes seem rugged when compared to US yourers; THus I assume it's because the go over much rougher terrain.

AM I right on that?

http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v133/19/120/686314148/n686314148_141963_6782.jpg

My Trek 520

Note then 700c thinner tyres, excellent road bike, but I have some reservations taking it Trans-Himalaya. I cracked a rim already (Bontrager Maverick).



Cass Gilbert's Thorn Raven tour.

http://i.pbase.com/v3/79/611179/1/51853393.Himalaya20052003351.jpg

Pretty rugged, 26" wheels, nice for off-road.

If anyone wants to buy a 2007 Trek 520 (Very well specced, Tubus racks, sks guards, brooks bar tape etc; ) and you're nearby let me know!

WHAT? People actually sell their bikes? :eek:Please don't let my wife know!!;)

Looking forward to hearing of your travels!

Best, John

Id love to keep it, but it is too much dough to ship it back to Oz, sob :(

Maybe you could post over the internet (is there's Craigslist in the UK? Bikeforums?) a request for someone to take it back to Oz for you. Offer to pay them the airline transport fee, or better yet, if they are on an airline that doesn't charge.

Of course, you'd have to trust that they'll actually deliver it to Oz.

Perhaps the bike shop might sell it for you for a cut while you are away?

I am glad to hear things are going so good! I am slightly jealous, I'm more keeping my eye on cross U.S. first before I try anything bigger!

Sounds great though. Best of luck on your job and your trip! Keep it up!

Feat

Thanks guys. I just had the Trek renovated. Got rid of the drops, was never too happy with them. Put trekking bars on it. Here's a pic.

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w157/KyleAndrewArcher/DSC00247-1.jpg