Setting off on a bicycle tour can be scary. Once you pedal
out of the driveway you’re in
uncharted waters. Your
mind start’s
racing and you’re sure danger and catastrophe lurk just around the
corner.
But if we’re to experience bicycle touring, what I consider the ultimate freedom in life, we’ve got to get a handle on our fears.
Here’s a look at the very worst things that can happen on a bicycle tour. It may seem counter-intuitive, but facing potential risks head on often helps put worries into perspective.
1. You can disappear.
That’s
what happened to Frank G. Lenz who set off from
Pittsburgh to
bike around the world. Two years into his journey, he mysteriously
disappeared
in Turkey. His body
was never
found. Before you
get too worked up
about this, let me tell you when this terrible event occurred. May 1892.
That was back when foreign countries were truly foreign. Way before personal tracking devices like the Spot. Nowadays your chances of disappearing while on tour are pretty slim. In fact, Frank Lenz is the only guy I’ve ever heard of who’s disappeared while cycling around the world.
2. You can contract a serious illness and need to be evacuated.
That’s what happened to Huw Williams from the Listen to Africa Cycling Expedition. While on tour in West Africa, Huw become seriously ill and ended having to be air lifted back to the UK. Turns out he’d come down with a rare illness known as Blackwater Fever. Huw’s now recovered, but the bicycle tour had to be put on hold.
Illness is a real worry, but it’s rare that sickness puts a permanent end to cycling. We’ve both survived bouts with malaria, Eric’s battled dengue fever and suffered through a broken collar bone. Yet, we’re still on the road.
Our best advice is to get proper vaccinations before setting off on a bicycle tour in the developing world. And if you do starting feeling sick, seek medical help as soon as symptoms starting showing up.
3. You can be robbed.
That’s what happened to Peter Gostelow of the Big Africa Cycle. A group of guys with machetes mugged him in Dakar. Scary stuff. But belongings can be replaced and the Big Africa Cycle expedition is still growing strong.
Our best advice? Don’t fight back. Peter ended up with a nasty gash when he tried to hold on to his belongings. And watch your back in big cities. Peter wasn’t mugged at midnight stumbling out of a bar. It was 6PM on a crowded street. But it was Dakar, one of the most dangerous cities in Africa. All in all, robbery is rare. We’ve never been robbed in all the years we’ve been cycling around the world. Neither has the Biciclown, Alvaro Neal, and he’s been on the road since 2004.
4. Your bicycle can be stolen.
That happens to lots of
people, but not many adventurers on tour.
The most famous stories of bicycle theft are those
of Heinz Stücke and Ed Genochio.
Heinz made
world headlines in 2006 for having his ancient 3-speed bike stolen from
outside his tent at Portsmouth, UK.
Not just any bike, but the original bike he’s been cycling
all
around the world on since 1962. He got the bike back, by the way.
Ed’s the guy whose bike got ripped off by a Mongolian horseman. The story also made worldwide headlines.
Your chances of having your bicycle stolen while commuting in London, New York or Amsterdam are a lot higher than having your bike stolen while you’re touring in a developing country. First of all, when touring, you’re almost always on your bike. You’re not leaving it at the train station or locked outside an office building all day. Second, loaded touring bicycles are pretty conspicuous. They draw attention in most parts of the world which makes them tough targets for theft. Lastly, most people in developing countries will never realize how much your bike is worth. It’s just a bicycle after all. And bicycles are for people who can’t afford a motorcycle. Why bother to steal it. Check out Traveling Two for some great tips on bike security and locks.
Things can go wrong on a bicycle tour, but there’s not much that can stop a determined cyclist. This post is meant to put your mind at ease. I hope it’s succeeded.
If you enjoyed this post, give these posts and videos a try:
Around the World Bicycle Touring Video
Bicycle
Touring Update
Biking
Bolivia: the Chaco and why nothing beats bicycle touring
Bicycle
Touring inspiration
The
Bests: part one
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bicycle accident photo by _moz'
