Biking across Europe and Asia

[---Beany---]

So since november I've been out of work. Since then I've been thinking of all the things I could or should do.
One of the main ideas I've had is to bike to Australia from England.
I have a friend in Australia but a return ticket there would be about £800 which I can't afford, but to bike there I think would be cheaper and also something worth living life for.
I'm just wondering what other peoples thoughts are on this.
One of my main thoughts is how long it would take to bike across Europe and Aisa to get to Australia (Taking flights to get across the Seas). If it's a year long mission I don't think I wanna bother, but if it'd take around 3 months I think I'd be up for it.
Has anyone any thoughts or advice?

[DarkMage35]

I'd say a rough estimate would be it taking about 8-9 months, assuming you cover about 100km a day. If you total up living costs for that, a plane ticket starts to look cheap.

[smoketheweed]

Wow, you've certainly got your work cut out. I think some of the problem is as some of the countries may not be totally secure crossing on the ground, you may have to take some diversions which are going to potentially add quite a few miles.

To most dodgy part of the journey would most likely be the Middle East/Asia section, as taking the most direct route, you would have to cycle across Turkey from Europe, which is perfectly safe, once out of Turkey, you'd go into Iran, which, in general is perfectly safe (unless America decideds to bomb it while you're there, lol), however, to remain direct, you'll have to cross either Pakistan or Afghanistan - which of course is not so safe.

Your options to avoid the two countries is to fly over to India, which, for the most part is secure once again, or, the harder option, you could cycle around them by going North and through Turkmenistan and Uzbecistan, and I think there might be another -Stan up there, but basically, cycle round and into China. China is obviously very secure, and you'd cycle down South towards either Malaysia, from which I believe there may be a ferry route to Australia.

So, it is perfectly possible to do, but sadly, as parts of the world along the route are quite unstable, not as straight-forward as it first seems. Also, while more expensive, I guess the other option, which would significantly cut the time and distance, would be to go by motorbike. However, you'd have to fuel costs on top and not the added health benefit :P.

As for time, I'd be guessing at least 3/4 of a year minimum, and that would probably be with flying some of the way. I've found this (http://www.bike2oz.com/) site, which mentions that it took over 400 days.

Sorry I couldn't be of any more help.

[AtrainV]

and you'd cycle down South towards either Malaysia, from which I believe there may be a ferry route to Australia.



Uhhhh.... Are you forgetting about Indonesia? Do you realize how far Malaysia is from Australia?

[Dfg]

If you come to Pakistan, please notify me in advance maybe i could help you out. But still it's best to skip PK,India,Afghanistan altogether.

[---Beany---]

Thanks peeps. I'm aware of the dodgy countries and I probably would cycle around them as apposed to flying over them.
If it'd take 3/4 of a year like previously said, I think I ought to save a whole lot first.... plus buy a bike.

[The Jitterskull]

Why not just bike around Europe like so:

England, France, Spain (top part), loop around Portugal, bottom half of spain, around Italy, up under Germany, around eventually through Ukraine to Russia, and bike up to Oslo in Norway and then go backwards, as fast as possible to England.

All around Europe :) ;)

[skyclaw441]

OK. Here's how it works from what I can see with my research.

1. Get 1000 Pounds however you can. Steal shit and sell it if you have to, keep your money in a VERY safe place.

2. Get across the English Channel. This may involve stowing away on a ship or stealing a rowboat. Just get the fuck across however you can. Bring some provisions, this could be a while. Hey, you can always piss off the side of the boat.

3. Whether you want to get into France or Belgium is your choice. I say head for France. You'd most likely land ashore in an area near Ypers, which is a large metropolitan area. Once you get into France, convert your money into the Euro, and buy a fucking bike promptly. As soon as you can. Do not fuck around. Steal a bike if you have to. Better yet, load your own bike on the boat if it'll still hold water.

4. My advice is to avoid the mountains and bike into the plains of Belgium. I'd enter from the south, and travel north into the Netherlands, using non-major roads as a way to sleep concealed in fields, or somewhere far off the road. Keep a compass.

5. Once in the Netherlands, travel a bit further north until you reach about the same latitude as the cities of Eindhoven, Oldberg, or Breda. Then, hi-tail it east into Germany. The Netherlands for the most part is pretty simple. Just keep fucking pedaling and enjoy the weed, windmills, and Zanger Bob.

6. Once in Germany, you're going to want to cut it straight West-East through the Northern half where elevations are the lowest. Don't blow your money on the local brew, though. Survival is of the essence. The cheapest meal you can get is hot water, ketchup packets (8 or 9 per cup) and a coffee creamer. Tomato soup, mmm.

7. Following the plains, head on into Poland. You'll need to bike through West-East, again. I'm guiding you through flat routes in order to maximize distance in a day. Now, keep on your roads, using your compass or a map, and remember to sleep well off the roads. Sleep out in the open when possible. You'll eventually cross into Belarus.

8. Once in Belarus, again it's more of the same. Bike. I don't think you need an explanation for that one. Just move across Belarus and into good ol' Mother Russia.

9. Mother Russia will be your biggest challenge. You're going to have to bike all the fucking way across Southern Russia. This could take a long ass time, especially when you hit the Altay mountains. Russia will take you well over two months. Just take it in stride, though, even if it takes you a couple months. And make sure to hit it in the summertime. Bike all the way past Mongolia, and head south when you get to China.

10. China is fairly easy. There should be lots of bikers in China, just hop on a road that will lead you South. And that's how you're going to be for a while. Keep going. And going. And going. And going. This is going to be your biggest trouble, not understanding Chinese. Just keep going and sleep in fields when you can. Assuming you can cover 100 miles a day (which is a stretch), it's going to take you 20 days get through China. At 50 miles a day, 40 days. Just get across however you can.

11. Next comes Laos. This one shouldn't take you terribly long, and again, lots of bikes. Just buy some food, shut up, and keep going. You'll need to cross into Thailand.

12. Thailand is where you'll want to stay until you get to Malaysia. STAY IN THE FUCKING BORDER! Don't go into Burma, or they'll shoot your ass. This will take you a while, but again, lots of bikes. Follow them south.

13. Malaysia, you're almost home free. Keep going SE until you reach the narrow straight in between Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula. At that point, do the same thing as you did with the English Channel/Straight of Dover. You'll wash up in Sumatra if you're lucky.

14. Move, fucker, move. You now need to island hop through Indonesia. You can catch trains across the bigger islands there if you need to, they're cheaper down there. When all else fails, walk. You'll have lost a LOT of weight. Eventually, if you hook up with the right fishermen to haul your ass, you'll wind up in East Timor.

15. Almost... there. In East Timor, you need to fucking find the right person, or catch a plane. Sell some shit, do what you have to. Fly across the sea, cause you won't make it on a boat.

16. FINALLY, AUSTRALIA! Contact your friend, and have him get you if possible. If not, hitchhike, and meet up halfway, or go to his house, or something in that range of plans.

Again, if you take this seriously, it's your own fault.

[Euda]

In addition to whatever else you're doing, find a part-time job that involves working with bikes. You'll need to be extremely familiar with bicycles, including their parts and repairs, in order to make such an extensive trip.

You could also find a job with a corporation that operates in both the UK and Australia. It's not as hard as you'd think to transfer, though there is a lot of paperwork.

[Vod]

Crazy advice.

I love you.
Damn, that was hilarious.
But seriously, if you have a LOT of will power, listen to this man.
Get a cheap bike, that's all. Out of money? Go work under the table. Out of road? Buy some freakin' mountain tires. Absolutely need to hop a train or a boat? Sell your bike, buy another one once you've reached your destination. etc. etc. Those who think like this are real men in every sense of the word. Working hard earns you results.

The only thing that you might regret is to realize that in the end it was more expensive buying all the food and basic necessities than buying a simple plane ticket.

[lostmyface]

i have a brilliant idea...

who ever follows skyclaw441's advice will get +1 internets

[Revvy]

who ever follows skyclaw441's advice will get +1 internets

+1 interents...

but -1 bike in Belarus imo.

[Revvy]

www.couchsurfing.com is your friend for free accomodation.

a friend of a friend is embarking on some epic cycling adventure. i'll try and fish out some stuff.

[skyclaw441]

who ever follows skyclaw441's advice will get +1 internets

Thanks man, XD. I was being half serious, half real. I have crazy trip ideas all the time that I'll carry out when I'm older and out of my parent's household. For example, going from my home in Iowa to Japan over the North Pacific Rim with no major flights, only charters when needed. That'll be an adventure.

EDIT: When in Russia, follow this map:

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u28/skyclaw441/Russian4Retards.png

That should help you. Watch out for the KGB.

[lostmyface]

skyclaw, i think i love you.

[skyclaw441]

skyclaw, i think i love you.

*Sarcasm and creep out meters go flying off charts*.