Touring - Touring from London to NYC

Hi, I just registered in order to post.

Given current global recession, I think it is the best time to take off 6-9 months. I plan to move back to NYC april/may next year. I am considering either by foot/bus or cycle via western europe, north africa, middle east, india, south east asia, china, japan and to west coast. To the extent that is impossible, hopefully get the bike on a train/bus to skip few thousand miles.

Anyone think it is doable?

Best,
Mervyn

Hi, I just registered in order to post.

Given current global recession, I think it is the best time to take off 6-9 months. I plan to move back to NYC april/may next year. I am considering either by foot/bus or cycle via western europe, north africa, middle east, india, south east asia, china, japan and to west coast. To the extent that is impossible, hopefully get the bike on a train/bus to skip few thousand miles.

Anyone think it is doable?

Best,
Mervyn

Absolutely. However, I think you will have significant difficulties getting from Japan to the west coast by train or bus. My strong suggestion would be to consider travel by air. :lol:

Cheers Mervyn, and welcome to the Forums.


Absolutely. However, I think you will have significant difficulties getting from Japan to the west coast by train or bus. My strong suggestion would be to consider travel by air. :lol:Your Force is weak. :)

Mervyn, do you have previous experience in bike touring?

--J

Cheers Mervyn, and welcome to the Forums.

Your Force is weak. :)

Mervyn, do you have previous experience in bike touring?

--J

Not much, I am an experienced adventure trekker and improvised backpacker. Thatis why I am thinking if I can't go uphills, I might get on a motor vehicle-:)

Others have, I'm sure you can.

Check out: http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/ if you haven't already. I've followed several folks from SE Asia to W Europe.

Consider giving yourself a little more time, unless you're planning on just going straight. I guess if I were doing it, I would give myself more time so I could go where I wanted, and check places out for a few weeks at a time.

Definitely consider getting from Japan to the west coast by air, I hear it's really quick these days. ;)

Hi, I just registered in order to post.

Given current global recession, I think it is the best time to take off 6-9 months. I plan to move back to NYC april/may next year. I am considering either by foot/bus or cycle via western europe, north africa, middle east, india, south east asia, china, japan and to west coast. To the extent that is impossible, hopefully get the bike on a train/bus to skip few thousand miles.

Anyone think it is doable?

Best,
Mervyn

Hi,

first I thought it's a very long swim.:D

North-Afrika: Currently the only open route west to east goes through Niger and Tschad...

Japan: from Wakkanai you can take a ferry to sakhalin (Russia). Then the adventure begins cycling north and crossing the Bering-Street by small boots. (no roads / permits / less information)

Alternativ: Take a cruising or cargo ship to cross the pacific.

Thomas

Mervyn-
Take a look at Peter Gostelow's journal "A long ride home" on Crazyguyonabike.com. He rode from Japan to England following a route similar to the one you are suggesting. It may be helpful to your planning.

Dear Mervyn,

I think your idea is wonderful. For inspiration, check out Dervla Murphy's Full Tilt, the travelogue of her trip from Ireland to India, on a single-speed, with a pistol in her pocket. If you're a backpacker, the transition to a bike will be easy enough, so long as you pack light and practice with a short tour before you leave home. Get a simple bike with good tires and bar-end shifters (any bike shop will be able to explain the benefits of the latter).

I've done a bit of riding in Europe, Central Asia, and in Egypt, Jordan and Djibouti. You will be astounded at the hospitality of folk everywhere, but especially the Muslims, who, generally speaking, are absolute sweethearts.

One more thing: avoid any place mired in conflict, such as Iraq.

Hi,

I have decided to cycle from London to Chengdu starting in mid-May (recession seems like a good time to travel). My aim is to start from London via Denmark, North Germany, East Europe, Turkey,
Caucsuss, Caspain Sea, Stans to Chengdu. From Chengdu, I will spend few weeks and book a flight back to New York (China is too big a place to tackle this time).

I will see where I am at by the end of the year, hope to put up a blog on CGOAB soon.

Cheers,
Mervyn