Why I am Trying to Cycle Around the World

So, how did I end up deciding to not just take a bike tour, but to attempt to cycle around the world? It's a bit of a adventure, to say the least.

What am I doing?

To put it simply, I'm trying to circle the globe by bike. One pedal push at a time. In my previous post “What am I Doing, Cycling Around the World”, I went into more detail about my route, which will take me through North America, Central America, South America, Europe or Africa (depending on the season), the Middle East, South East Asia, and finally Australia, New Zealand, and Japan (again, depending on the season). I've planned to travel for two years, and see how far I can get along this route.

But why, why not.

To be honest, it's something that I've always dreamed of doing. I love the freedom and independence that comes with long distance cycling, and the opportunity to see and experience so much of the world in such a unique way was just too good to pass up.

How did this idea come about?

It all started when I was faced with a major change in my life. During the pandemic, like many people, I found myself stuck at home and out of work. I was eventually able to land a job as a remote software engineer, which kept me busy for about a year. But as I spent more and more time at my desk, staring at my computer screen, I found myself longing for the kind of adventure and freedom that I had experienced on my previous hike of the Pacific Crest Trail in 2019. I remembered the starry nights spent in my tent, the days spent summiting mountain tops, and the feeling of just taking the world day by day.

So when I received the news that I was being laid off, it was a shock – but it also made me think about what I really wanted in life. That's when the idea for a bike trip around the world came to mind. I thought, "screw it, let's do it".

So, six months later, with all the necessary prep work (supplies, shots, passport, etc.) taken care of, I set off on my journey. Here I am, writing on the road as I go.

How do I feel about my bike trip?

I know that some people want a grand, romantic reason for a trip or a journey, as if it's some sort of quest to "find themselves". But for me, this is just a simple "why not" journey. During the pandemic, I felt like I was stuck in a box, and this was my way of stepping outside of it. I wanted to regain control over my own days, and to experience the world on my own terms.

Conclusion

So, that's the story of how I ended up deciding to cycle around the world. It's been an exciting and challenging journey so far, and I'm looking forward to seeing where it takes me next.

Until next time,

Keifer