Myths and Misconceptions About my Trip

Before my trip comes to an end, there are a few things I want to set straight.....some myth and misconceptions surrounding my trip. I have a list of memorable quotes from my trip that I will share at some point. They make for some great laughs! Other people are always fascinated to hear about my trip and the way they perceive what I'm doing fascinates me. They get fixated on details that I take for granted that don't seem to bother me, other times people's comments make me laugh, rarely do they offend me! However, before this trip comes to an end, I wanted to politely clarify and address some common myths and misconceptions regarding my trip.

You're really brave!....One tough young lady!

Brave, me?!?!? Growing up, I used to run down my hallway in socks passing all the enpty rooms on the way spooked that somebody or something would pop out at me. By the time I made it back to my room and returned to the family room, my heart was pounding and I was completely flustered. I don't consider myself brave at all, but I also don't like to live in fear! What fun is it to be afraid? I could easily spook myself out on this trip, camping alone in the forest, pitching my tent behind buildings not too far out of sight from people. Anyone could stop on the road in the middle of nowhere and do as they please with me. These thoughts have all crossed my mind of course, but briefly. Usually at the end of the day, I can hardly keep my eyes awake to look at the pictures I took that day, let alone worry about whether or not I hear an animal foraging in the bushes nearby. In fact, I'm no adamant on getting sleep, I wear ear plugs to bed at night. I don't want to know if something is going to come and get me, if they do, just let me sleep and rest until the very last moment possible, PLEASE!!!

Climbing a few of the rockies will help you get strong!

Instead of feeling scared and thinking that something could happen, I try to exude trust and respect to those around me and the people with whom I interact. I embrace an opportunity to meet new people, excited by what I might learn from them, gaining insight and perspective on life. Am I lucky that 99.9% of the people whom I've encountered on The Loong Way Home have been thoughtful, kind, and extremely generous? I don't think so! I give others the benefit of the doubt and think that other people naturally have good intentions. Am I innocent or naive?? Perhaps you might think so, how fun is it to live in a world filled with fear, threat, and suspicion?!?!

Sometimes you just gotta pretend to be tough!

Surely you must get lonely.....

Lonely? I don't have time to get lonely! Even on my longest days, after hours on end in the saddle pedaling I don't get bored. I never run out of things to think about or tired of sight seeing. My environment is constantly changing and so are my thoughts, which keep me stimulated and aware. I love being in motion! There is always something new and different to take in, observe, and reflect upon. Lots of times I think my brain is “off” and I look down at my bike computer and realize I've just gone 50 km without even realizing it! Do I remember what was going through my head? No! But just like that the time has gone by so quickly! When I stop for a break or to sight see, it's almost guaranteed that someone will approach me to ask a question and engage in conversation. In fact, I can almost predict who that someone will be and it happens in less than a minute out of the saddle. To tell you the truth, sometimes I could actually use a bit more alone time, which is why it is important to balance staying the night with a hosts and camping.

How many times was I the tourist attraction when I just wanted to see the real attraction like everyone else?

I really enjoy traveling on my own! At first, the idea of traveling solo made me feel foolish. Isn't there anyone who will go with me on my trip? But the deeper I got into the planning the more I realized that this was personal journey that I needed to do on my own. It was something intimate, my dream, my desires, and I wasn't going to let anyone stop me or change my course! At the end of this solo trip, I could easily see myself doing another trip similar to this, solo as well. If I find a partner in crime to join me, excellent, but I'm not going to stop doing what I love most just because no one will come with me! In fact, I would encourage everyone at some point in their life to travel solo. Do a weekend getaway alone, or an entire week-long trip, but take the time to be alone and get to know yourself. It's made me more confident, insightful, and happy.

One minute I'm eating my dumplings in peace, the next, there are people swarming asking me a million questions I can't understand!

You can't be over 30, right?

I think people assume I'm under thirty because of my “younger” looking appearance, my energy, and the fact that people over 30 surely don't quit their job to go bicycle around the world! When people want to know my age, I always preface my answer saying I look younger than I am. I'm flattered that I'm perceived to be youthful, really. In fact, I've even been called “kiddo” on this trip and not just once! My favorite comment about my age came from a bike mechanic back in Hobart, Tasmania. “What is this, like a gap year for you?” A gap year is what the Brits do after high school before entering university. I found his question to be quite funny, so I came up with an equally comical response. “I'd say it's more like a mid-life crisis without the husband, kids, car, or house!” Except, The Loong Way Home really ins't that either. I never had some big epiphany, nor did I wake up one morning and say, “That's it, I'm going to cycle around the world!” I knew I was getting really comfortable in Barcelona, which isn't a bad thing, but I felt like I was missing out on a world out there to explore and discover. I was itching for a change, trapped in my daily routine. I was antsy to do something drastically different. Surely people over the age of 30 are responsible and don't just quit their jobs?!?! I've always struggles with conforming to society's norm. I can only go with the flow so long before I have to break free. Does it make me irresponsible? Not really, it actually works in my favor, making people think I'm younger than I am. Thanks for the compliment!

And don't forget to  surround yourself by kids, they help keep you feeling young!

Ouch! Doesn't your bottom get sore?

Actually, no, not really! I have the most comfortable saddle in the world: a Brooks no less. They say there is a break in period with these leather beauties, but I bought mine, put it on, and cycled around Corsica, France for 10 days without having any problems. I've never really had any problems and the longer I sit on it the more comfy it becomes, my butt cheeks rest perfectly on the triangular shape. Sometimes I have to tighten the leather by turning an adjustment screw because it starts to sag over time, but my saddle is more comfortable than most chairs! I've never had saddle rash from my Brooks and only once do I remember a sore bum, but that was caused by a new pair of bike shorts rubbing rather than the seat. I sware by the Brooks saddle, it has been wonderful! Since it is leather, I protect it from the rain with a shower cap on top, that is the only real inconvenience I've experienced!

An up close look at my beautiful and comfy saddle!

I never understood those people who can just leave their job and go travel....Are you independently wealthy?

I love this comment and question! I take their comment with a grain of salt and respond jokingly saying that I work in an extremely lucrative profession, teaching! It's very fulfilling profession that doesn't necessarily fill the pocketbook. People make this comment almost with a bit of disgust or resentment. But as my Dad always says, life is a series of choices. You choose how to live your life and I enjoy simplicity and a minimalist style. I don't need any fancy amenities, travel and food are the extent of my purchases, that go above and beyond my basic needs. Before leaving on my trip, I was full time teaching putting in well over 40 hours a week at school plus working crazy hours teaching private classes before and after school. Thankfully I have a lot of energy and I could keep up this crazy schedule knowing that it was a means to an end to save as much as possible before I left. I don't have a car, no house, no debt, which makes dropping everything and leaving relatively easy. In the grand scheme of vacations and travel, bike touring is rather inexpensive. Other than plane tickets and bike mechanics, food was my greatest expense, but then again, I didn't want to survive off of bread and cheese pedaling around the world.

You must know a lot about bikes!

I wish!! If I did, wow, I'd be one hell of a bike tourer! Would you believe me if I told you I had never had a flat tire in my entire biking career before I set out for this trip? I've done gran fondos, half Ironmans, and Ironman always looking down at my tires, ing not to puncture! I practiced how to change a tire in my apartment, but that has nothing to do with being out on the road. The first time I got a flat tire, I was put to the test changing it in the middle of nowhere in China with no one to help me. Before I left for my trip, I had good intentions to learn the basics about bike mechanics. I became a member of a bike Co-Op in Barcelona, hoping that it would give me the practical knowledge I needed for my trip. However, at that time, I didn't have the interest or confidence that I needed to really get my hands dirty and dig in, I was intimidated and scared, too insecure to believe I could actually fix something on my bike. I counted on my nice character to help me out along the way. I'm great at diagnosing the problem, hearing a noise and finding where it comes from, but fixing it is a whole other story. However, in the last month, I've become much more confident and my skills have improved. Recently I changed out cables, a cassette, and my chain.

First flat tire of the trip

I met the most interesting mechanic the other day at a bike store in Olympia, Washington. He said, everyone is already 90% a bike mechanic, there is just another 10% you have to learn. I do understand what he means because tinkering with a bike is intuitive. It is all about creative problem solving, basic physics, and being a detective. But first, you have to want to learn. After pedaling 20,000 miles, I'm finally eager to take my bike apart and rebuild it, and learn all I can while adapting it just so to prepare it for another trip.

Are you doing this for a charity or to raise money or awareness?

Nope! I know that sounds selfish, right? That is exactly the point. I feel as if other people ask me trying to impose their opinion or make a statement that it isn't acceptable to do something just because it makes you feel good. Is it really that bad to put myself before others? Are they trying to make me feel guilty for not contributing or giving back to the bettering of a community?

Why do people think monetary donations are one of the only ways to give back to this world? Should I be riding for a cause or raising money for an organization? I got the charity question a lot in Australia and The United State and it made furious initially. When I said no, people looked at me with pity and sympathetically stated, “Oh, I see,....you are trying to find yourself!” I had to hold back my desire to laugh and instead I chuckled inside myself thinking, I found myself loong ago, don't you see? That's why I set out on my bike,.....because I do know myself well! I know what I like, what I enjoy doing, and I finally got the courage to just do it!

Specifically addressing the charity and fundraising issue, personally I think human interaction is priceless and many times more valuable than a monetary donation! You learn so much from other people and your contact with them. People I've met along the way say I'm an inspiration and admire me, which may be true, but the feeling is reciprocal. I can't even begin to tell you how I've changed and grown as a result of this trip and what I've learned from interacting with people from so many different countries and religions.

So you are going home right, settling down in Oregon? Or are you going back to Spain?

Where is the crystal ball?? I want to see what my future holds.....actually, I really don't, so please don't ask me! Even after 20,000 miles (30,000km) I still don't know where I'll end up! From the name of my trip it seems as though I would be going home and stay in Oregon. I call my trip The Loong Way Home so people automatically assume that I'm going home to be in Oregon when my trip finishes. Yes, I do want to spend some time at home visiting family and friends and enjoy some downtime, but I have a feeling after a few months I will be itching to set off again. Back to Barcelona? Barcelona actually feels more like home since I lived there for 11 years, but I also don't see myself staying there forever. I would love to use it as a home base before the following school year. Barcelona is an inviting place to be a tourist with sunny skies, delicious food, and an outdoor sport mecca. I could cycle to my heart's content, substitute teach, and visit friends, before going back to the “real world”. I warn you, don't take any of my plans for the near future seriously these days as my mind is scattered and all over the place as my trip winds down.

Starting to see signs for Oregon!!!!

The Reality of Riding as a Solo Female Tour Cyclist

To others, I know I look strange, but this is my normal daily gig, loaded bike and all!

When I first set out to do this trip, I really didn’t think I would do it on my own.  I had the idea in my head, but I thought that someone would sign-up with me.  But as I’ve said in a previous post, people are reluctant to take an entire year off from work, and those who do probably wouldn’t spend it traveling around the world on bike.  As crunch time approached and I needed to make a decision about the upcoming school year, I bit the bullet and decided to do my trip, on my own.  My friends in Barcelona supported me 100% and were incredibly encouraging.  My family took a bit longer to come around, but eventually were able to handle the idea.

When I explain my trip, previous to departing and currently, the most frequently asked questions is, alone?  The one word isn’t really even a question, it is more of a statement in a tone of voice that makes me sound like a crazy, foolish, or even a weird person.  For some reason, we have this idea in our minds that women can’t and shouldn’t travel on their own.  Safety is usually the number one argument against solo female travelers. However, I would have to argue that traveling alone on bike as a young lady is surprisingly safer than people think, although the extra attention can get a bit old.  Perhaps this is a bias opinion as I’ve never met another solo female cyclist on or off the road, You be the judge after reading what it is like to be a female cyclist out on the road alone.

In Turkey, I try to be a bit more discrete drying my clean underwear on my front pannier

Bike travelers all around the world, but still, it is a sight that shocks a lot of people--- a person traveling with what looks to be a dreadfully heavy bike, fully loaded with bags attached all over the frame it is hard to see the actual bike that is underneath all the bags.  They might look awfully dusty, parched, grimy, or exhausted, but they usually have a smile on their face if you make eye contact.  Usually, tour cyclists come in pairs, and if not, they are men, that is normal.  But add a blonde curly pony tail to the above image, and a pair of clean underwear always hanging off her front pannier, and it turns into an incredibly unique, “once-in-a lifetime” event alongside the road.  Or at least that is how I feel as a solo female cyclist as I get stared down on my bike.  I can pretty much guarantee that I am bound to turn heads as I cycle pass a group of people along the side of the road, or even an individual strolling along.  With 99% of the cars that pass me from behind, someone always turns their head inside to get a double take of the sight they just saw on the road.  With cars that pass me head on, the same thing happens, but usually there is a honk or a holler to accompany. 

I get a lot of honks, as I’m sure most cyclists do on the side of the road.  Honks come in all different shapes and sizes, but the honks that I’m sure the men don’t get are the ones I’ve started to receive most recently in Turkey, which basically mean “I’m honking because I’m horny”.  I just have to laugh because I think in my mind, what do these men think I’m going to do stop pedaling and strike up a conversation on the road,..a from a few honks?  I’m no good at flirting myself, but a honk just doesn’t cut it for me!  I don’t let their gestures bother me, I usually laugh to myself and with a big smile on my face, I wave back, hoping they won’t forget the sight they just saw, a women traveling on her own.

Other men have been a bit more creative let’s just say with their intentions to “pick up” me up literally.  Yesterday I passed a car alongside the road, a small white VW gulf, or something similar.  It stuck out in my mind because the doors were open and the man was looking around inside for something.  He off on the right shoulder and so I had to go out in the lane of traffic to pass him.  I didn’t think much of him stopping.  However, 2 kilometers down the road he stopped again and was doing the same thing, car in the shoulder, doors open, including the trunk, and this time he was looking at me.  Okay, he’s a little obnoxious, but harmless.  Well, 5 kilometers further down the road, he had stopped again.  I could see him off in the distance, and so I decided to give him a bit of attention, hoping that would be enough to send him on his way.  Again all the doors were open and as I approached he gestured with his hand to come over to his car.  He was a younger man, probably my age or so, dressed in jeans and a collared shirt.  In pretty good English, he asked me where I had come from and where I was going.  What a coincidence, he was going to the same place.  We chatted a bit about my trip, my job, and his children. Eventually, as I suspected, he asked me if I wanted a ride because I looked tired.  Again, I laughed to myself and told him I was happy pedaling.  His last bit of advice before I started pedaling ironically was to be careful because Turkish men are horny!  Being the innocent, good-natured young lady that I am, I gave him a little business card for The Loong Way Home so he could feel special, said good-bye, and once again set off on my ride.  He passed me slowly, waving, and kept on driving.  Was I scared, no! Did he look creepy? No! I just wanted to pedal in peace and not be bothered.  I’m not the type of person to have small talk on a freeway, unless it’s another tour cyclist. 

Just as I sighed in relief that I had rid myself of him, his car was pulled over, for the fourth time, 5 kilometers down the road.  There he was on the side of the road standing behind the doors that were all open again!  This time, I was a little more direct as I passed him.  I smiled, and gave a short wave and carried on.  He smiled back and that was about it.  I started to wonder why the open doors?  Why was he still following me and stopping?  No, I wasn’t worried, or scared, but rather confused and suspicious.  I couldn’t believe he actually thought I was going to pull over and say, “Yeah, can I go with you in your car, I’m tired of riding my bike!”  Well, on the fifth time he stopped, I looked at him long enough to figure out to realized why he pulled over and got out of his car every 5 kilometers and opened all the doors.  When he warned me about Turkish men being horny, he really needed to include himself.  I won’t go into detail here, but you can use your imagination.

Would you believe me if I told you the same thing happened with a truck driver about 10 kilometers further on down the road?  With this driver, he only stopped twice, both times trying to “fix” something on the back of his truck, and when he finally passed me the third time his honking sounded like a full on orchestra! As you can see, it goes both ways out here on the road.  The people I encounter easily entertain me, and I guess I also give them plenty of entertainment!

That’s not all the entertainment I get riding on the main highway.  When there are no towns around, the only places to stop for food and to use the bathroom is a gas station or a truck stop.  Now there is a sight to see,….a solo female cyclist pulling up to a gas station/truck stop in Turkey!  Women are such a rarity at these places that there is actually toilet paper in the women’s bathroom, which is a luxury!  A lot of heads turn as I ride up, followed by snickering, stares, and more stares.  However, I’ve learned that if you smile back or break the ice with a few words like Barcelona, Istanbul, and some hand gestures showing them your arm muscles, or patting your legs, they usually laugh and turn out to be quite friendly and harmless!

A melon stand at just the right time and place

When I am riding on the small back roads, I have a more intimate experience with the locals.  Both yesterday and today I found myself with pretty low blood sugar and needed a little boost.  However, there weren’t any towns around for miles, and my emergency food just wasn’t going to cut it.  Yesterday I happened to ride upon a local fruit stand selling melons and gourds.  The latter didn’t interest me, but the melons sounded delicious.  I stopped, ready to buy one, and before I could even ask, the man had pulled out a chair for me, gave me ice cold water and started cutting melon slices.  When I finished my little snack and asked to buy one, he would have nothing of it and gave me an entire bag.  Melons, are not light you light, even the small ones, but I couldn’t be rude, so off I rode with an extra 2 or 3 kilos!  

Olive pickers come ot the rescue 4 kilometers from Zeytinbagi, Turkey

Today, I completely bonked with a town only 4 kilometers away, but I just could pedal anymore.  I was going to stop to indulge in some of my dried fruit but what I really needed was a Coke.   I saw a family by the side of the road picking olives and I stopped to ask them if the following town had a restaurant.  They must have seen the thirst in my eyes, and read my mind.  They invited me to their house for a drink, Cola Coke (backwards in Turkey) no less!

Hotels, especially in Turkey are incredibly accommodating to solo female cyclists.  In fact, to tell you the truth, I don’t think women go to hotels in Turkey without being accompanied by a man.  So I felt like a guest of honor or a famous person from the moment I entered (and let me tell you, I’m not going to the three and four star hotels)!  The staff, needless to say men, who are working the door and reception, come right over and take my panniers for me and even lift my bike up the stairs or wheel it into the reception, after allowing me to pass through the doorway first, of course. Lots of times they will even escort me to a restaurant or two and introduce me to their friend so I get VIP service.  My first night in Turkey, the man at the reception kept bringing me cups of tea as I sat in the lobby working on my computer.  He eventually started getting a bit concerned I was staying awake so late and suggested I get some sleep.  He was quite a gentleman and sincere.  I was pretty sure the hotel was empty, as I hadn’t seen many people in the halls or the reception.  Yet the next morning, to my surprise, when I went to the lobby for breakfast, it was filled with men eating, reading the paper, and watching TV.  They all greeted me in my bike outfit, with a big smile saying “Mademoiselle”.  For some odd reason, they all seemed to know who I was. The only solo female client they’ve probably ever had just happens to be riding a bike from Barcelona.  This is a sight they will probably never see again in their lives.

I've camped in the wild once, although I've made good attempts two other times, the locals just don't let me!

If I’m not at a hotel or an official campsite, well, you know what happens when I try to free camp as a solo female cyclist.  I look for places that aren’t too remote and I politely ask if there is a camping close by or a place I can pitch my tent.  So far, 2 out of 3 attempts have failed and I end up staying with a local family! I think the family is more worried for me than I am of myself. 

I’ve gotten used to this solo traveling.  Five years ago, coming out of a long term relationship with a guy who didn’t share a lot of my interests, I was eager to start doing the activities I had longed to do while with him.  I wanted to hike, travel to the mountains, bike, and nobody was going to stop me!  I have plenty of wonderful girlfriends, but sometimes I can scare them because they think I’m so extreme with my passion for sports.  But to tell you the truth, I just have an incredible amount of energy and so when other people are tired and ready to call it a day, I’ve just warmed up and I’m feeling strong! 

I’m not going to wait around for a guy to come and ask me to go and cycle the world. I mean really, how likely is that? I know many of you have tried setting me up with sporty friends or yours and ultra athletes, all with good intentions, but that has yet to work.  You worry about me being out on the road by myself, I know.  As you can see, there are all sorts of different reactions and interactions among those who encounter me on the road.  Sometimes the stares, honks, and attempted flirting can get old but at the end of the day, I must say, I am grateful for the respect people have when they take the time to interact with me. Most of the time, their curiosity and interest results in sincere gestures and they go out of their way to make sure I am well taken care of. Their acts of kindness make me feel safe, comfortable, and accompanied, even though I am out here on my own.