On the 1st of April 2014 I left my (parents) home in Wolverhampton on an unplanned journey by motorcycle – as far as I could make it without forking out for a Carnet. I traveled alone with no real mechanical abilities, no expedition experience, no understanding of languages and the growing conviction I was going to be let down by my bank balance at some point. I started badly, scuppered by sickness and feeling overwhelmingly daunted by my own lack of preparations. Regardless I surged out of the port town and into three months of adventure, near-misses and new friendships. Corrupt border officials, kids with assault rifles, roads seemingly pitted by meteorites. Blue skies, bee stings, the smell of the the sea and the sounds of cicadas. Racing the clock through the night, impressed by swarms of Italian prostitutes. Ditching half of your kit, laughing at expensive (£££!) touring bikes being nursed over-carefully and being intentionally deplorable in international company. Thunder-storms.
The experiences that were hard won have forged the strongest memories. The good days tasted all the sweeter for the days spent suffering in between. A good stint of discomfort might be the best thing for us..
Settle in with a cup of tea, get inspired, prepare as little as possible and head out on your own adventure
Reference: Route Map
Chapter Three: Brain Ache and Tranny Porn
Chapter Four: The Road to Madrid
Chapter Five: Poor Life Choices
Chapter Six: Looking for a Muse
Chapter Eight: Big City Breaks
Chapter Eleven: All Roads lead to Rome
Chapter Twelve: Selfies in the City
Chapter Thirteen: Deathtraps. Plural
Chapter Fourteen: Burning Rubber
Chapter Nineteen: Cotton Castle
Chapter Twenty: Tickets, Tantrums and Torrential Rain
Chapter Twenty One: Cappadocia
Chapter Twenty Two: The Kindness of Strangers
Chapter Twenty Three: The Long Haul
Chapter Twenty Four: Nothing is Ever Easy
Chapter Twenty Five: Locked and (Over) Loaded
Chapter Twenty Six: Learning to Breathe
Chapter Twenty Seven: Fuck Mostar
Chapter Twenty Eight: A Ferry Nice Time
Chapter Twenty Nine: Rubbing Wizards Feet
Chapter Thirty: Slaying Dragons
Chapter Thirty One: The Art Scene
Chapter Thirty Two: Mostly Moist
Chapter Thirty Three: Fade to Black
Chapter Thirty Four: Fourteen Tornati
Chapter Thirty Five: Hatching Plans
Chapter Thirty Six: Twenty Five
Chapter Thirty Seven: Knock, Knock, Knocking on England’s door
Loved reading your blog posts! I hope these memories will last a lifetime for you. It was a pleasure meeting you in Athens. Keeping pursuing your dreams. The world is a big place. 7 billion people have a story 🙂
Sincerely,
The Canadian girl (Who had some luck on her side …eh! )
Caitlin Hoey
Thanks Caitlin, glad I can weave something that’s interesting for you!
I have no doubt you’re safe (with your incredible good luck/trusting nature), but where are you now? Back home or somewhere equally as exotic?
Stay Safe!
Tom
I am currently safe! Your posts inspire me 🙂 I wish I could say that I am somewhere equally as exotic. I moved to the east coast of Canada for another adventure and trying to get into tourism. The east coast of Canada is considered the Scotland of Canada. I wish you all the best for your future adventures. You never know, my good luck might make us bump into each other again. Maybe someone will chase you this time! 🙂
Take care and I send all my luck to you 🙂
Caitlin
Great stuff Tom!
Loved reading the posts – pretty fu**in& hilarious.
You should have a regular blog (you could earn money form it! – Trust me – that’s my job hahaha)
And well done – must have been an amazing time!!!
Hey Kathrin! Thanks for the good comments, it’s been nearly as long writing up the trip-logs as it has been on the trip! I had a wild time, must do it again soon.
What’re you doing with yourself now? Sounds pretty interesting.
P.S. I’m nearing the final month in my story, so not long left before I have to figure something else to write about!
Fellow biker and non-conventional being………….loved every minute and you’re so right that it’s “the tough” bits that stay with you forever 🙂
Look forward to sharing…………in armchair support position…………… your next venture!
Caz, Birmingham.
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