As another arctic blast blows into town tonight and the cold virus attacks our family again, I will be warming up in front of the computer with a cup of tea, following the adventures of cyclists in warmer parts of the world. Through them, I can see places and cultures that I will probably never get to experience first-hand. I’m sure there are thousands of travel blogs and videos floating around the internet, but I’m only interested in the ones that document travels on a bike. Here are some of my favorites:
Nicolai Bangsgaard and his friend Martin Amor left Denmark on their bikes in April 2006 to see the world. Unfortunately, Martin had to return home in the first month, but Nicolai decided to continue alone. He is now in his 3rd year on the road and is currently heading north through South America (Colombia, at last check). I’m glad I caught up with him in time to follow his last year on the road. I spent a few long nights over the holidays reading his most recent posts (from August to December 2008) and viewing slideshows of his gorgeous, National Geographic-worthy photos. I still have so much more to view in his archives that it will probably take me until spring. Here is the video of his recent travels through Chile and Argentina that he uploaded to Vimeo:
In November 2008, best friends Simon Evans and Fearghal O’Nuallain left Ireland to begin their bicycle journey around the world. Their mission is “promoting the positive contribution that cycling can make to mental health and the environment, raising funds for Aware and highlighting climate change.” So far, they have ridden from CountyWicklow in Ireland to Madrid, Spain, and then boarded a flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where they were joined by their friend Marina. They recently visited the IguazuFalls near the border of Argentina and Paraguay. It’s exciting to be following their progress from the very start, and I must thank John in Dublin for bringing it to our attention on his blog, Le Vie en Velo. Here is the video highlighting their European leg (highlights from Argentina will be on their site soon):
Blanche is a Dutch woman who has taken many cycling vacations over the years. Her videos and photos are so beautiful and inspiring, and her website includes much information to help plan your own cycling trip. My sister is hoping to visit Cuba in a few months, so I suggested she check out Blanche’s site and video from Cuba (with wonderful music):
Sonya Spry and Aaldrik Mulder are an Australian woman and Dutch man who sold all of their belongings to travel the world by bike in search of a new place to call home. They left the Netherlands in July 2006 on a five year tour of the globe. Sonya’s journal entries are full of colorful stories and details that make the accompanying photo slideshows and video clips really come alive. Highly recommended reading. (Oh, my burning eyes, though!)
In June 2008, the Vogel family (John, Nancy and 10-year-old twins Daryl and Davy) left their home in Idaho to travel the Pan-American Highway from Alaska to Argentina on a tandem and two single bikes. If they are successful in finishing their journey, the boys will both be able to claim the title of “Youngest Person to Cycle the Pan-American Highway” in the Guinness Book of World Records.Their blog has entries from each family member, giving their own perspective on the events of the day. They are currently in Texas preparing to cross into Mexico. I will definitely be sharing this family’s story with my 10-year-old daughter.
Thanks to Nicolai, Simon and Fearghal, and Blanche for allowing me to add their videos to this post.
I wish all of these cyclists success in their journeys and a safe return home. Don’t forget to write!
Each year it seems more difficult to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday without the commercial side of Christmas pushing ahead in line. The “after Thanksgiving” sales turned into “before Thanksgiving” sales this year, which meant the advertising started even earlier. On November 1, the Halloween merchandise had been replaced by Christmas merchandise. We even received our first Christmas card in the mail on the day before Thanksgiving. I guess it’s the one ounce of rebellious nature in me that refuses to do any Christmas shopping until December 1. There is only one exception to this rule: charity shopping. Each year my two sisters and I participate in a program run by a local charity that matches us up with an underprivileged child in the Philadelphia area. We never meet the child but receive information such as their age, clothing size, favorite color/character/theme, and any particular needs and wants (a winter coat and a baby doll for our 3 year old girl). The idea is to make Christmas wishes come true for one child instead of just donating money and hoping it will help someone, somewhere. The assignments are given out in early November, and the gifts are due back to the charity during the first week of December. Each year, my daughter and I set aside a day to do the shopping for our “Christmas kid”, and each year she seems to enjoy and understand the concept more. She told me she will definitely participate in the program when she is old enough to have her own “Christmas kid”. But she also felt slightly guilty about impersonating Santa, though she felt he would understand. After all, these children wouldn’t be getting all those extra presents from their parents and relatives, so we have to make it look like Santa is giving them even more. As I pulled up to the drop-off location on Monday afternoon, my eyes lit up as I saw three people rolling bikes up to the door. Inside was an even better sight:
I think there are 9 bikes here.
As I left the building, two more bikes passed me. This was only halfway into the day, and I know one of my sisters had two more bikes to deliver from other participants. I would love to know the final bike count. What a great way to start the Christmas season.
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