Fulfill your dream,
Get your bike and start your bicycle journey

Where to start your bicycle journey? 12 years ago I was traveling in India, and I was dreaming of picking up my bicycle and cycle Holland - Shanghai. At that time I thought it was not possible but I still started. I still believe it was the best I have ever decided in my life.

I started blank, no expectations, just a rough idea about the road and a year time. I had plenty of questions but almost no information. My main problem was, where to start, or even where to get information itself. Some questions I had...

• What kind of bicycle, race or mountain bike?
• What kind of materials?
• What kind of clothes?
• What kind of shoes?
• Camping or hotels?
• Any good Guidebooks?
• What sort of maintenance?
• What about camping and camping gear?
•  ... many more ...

Of course I had many more questions. I read some books but apart of great travel stories, there wasn't a lot available I could use for my purpose. The Lonely Planet and other guide books were as useless for my bike journey too. And the special bike Lonely Planets were not yet available. Thus, it was basically get your bike and go.

Now I had been cycling for years in Europe on a lightweight race bike but I realized that bike was not sufficient for what I wanted. I trusted the judgment of my bike shop in Amsterdam. And I learned soon that they too didn't really know what to advice.

So, where start your bicycle journey? Had I only have Darren Alf's eBook at the time....

Bicycle Travelers Blueprint

After more then 10 years and 95.000 km's I know now what I wanted to know then. In 2010, I will again cycle, there are plans for Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand and maybe China.

How about YOUR plans? Are you dreaming of a journey from your home to the other side of the world? I receive regular emails from people who would love to start a long journey but have no idea where to start. Of course the bicycle-adventures.com is a great source.

Riding a bicycle has nothing to do with your physical situation (see my story about the man with one arm and one leg), age (my friends Arend and Ina are almost 70, now cycling in New Zealand).

So, we know now that cycling is for everyone. One thing I liked when I read Darren Alf's Bicycle Travelers Blueprint: "My travels have made me realize that the successful people of the future will not necessarily be millionaires or billionaires, but people who have created lifestyles for themselves that allow them to pursue the things they want most."

And how right he is. No need to be rich too (see Tzuo Hann Law's story).

And it generates freedom, more then any other form of traveling. But again, where to start?

The resource I recommend and want to share with you is called the Bicycle Travellers Blueprint. The 144 pages take you by the hand from equipment to the mental aspects of long distance cycling. Is it only for the beginner? I doubt. As you know I do not consider myself a beginner and I found it extremely useful.

Darren's writing is easy, he really talks to you.

Darren makes one other statement I can only approve. He says that making the decission to start cycling is the most difficult step to make. After that everything is simply a matter of choice what to do next.

Darren starts talking about the differences in bike trips: long distance, supported tours, organized tours (he calls them credit card tours) self supporting tours etc. Everyone fits in a category. Everyone has the same questions. Everyone has the same fears, what will happen if... and he answers them all.

An aspect which I find extremely important and is extensively explored in Darren's book deals with the emotional aspects, travel alone or with a partner and WHY you should or not.

I have read a lot of books about cycling, I haven't read one as good and as specific relevant for cyclists as Darren Alf's Bicycle Travellers Blueprint.

Special Discount until 5th January.

Darren Alf informed that he is willing to offer a 40% discount on his Bicycle Travellers Blueprint until January 5 2010. The price of this priceless eBook is $12,95. After January 5, the price will go up. Get it before Darren increases the price!

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