I lived on the road, hitch-hiking '78-'84. Around the middle of the 80's hitch hiking got harder, less people would stop... At that time I semi-settled down in sweden and for my first tour I just strapped my little rucksack, sleeping bag and guitar onto a Monark 5-speed (positron) bike and rode from sweden to spain one summer - barefoot all the way on platform pedals.

I have no memory of being "inspired" by having seen other bike tourists or anything, it just seemed like a logical way to continue travelling...

Compared to what I know now about bicycles, touring gear etc, I hadn't a clue - but made it just fine After that it was a gradual learning process, until discovering BF, which has taught me tons of stuff (and caused me to buy lots of expensive gear) hihi, thanks guys!

Being prepared is great, but all problems can be sorted out along the way