[Alright so I just posted this, but I'm an idiot and messed up the text. Here's attempt #2, sorry!]
Life's about to get very interesting. About 6 months ago, I moved into a new place, with the knowledge that I'd have to move out again 5 months later due to a pretty messed up situation with the housing organisation. I looked for a new place in the meantime, but one thought kept spooking through my head: I want to go biking.
I've had this idea for a few years. "Normal life", to give it a name, just doesn't suit me. It's stale, repetitive, yet so busy and frantic with things I don't care about at all. Not to mention all of the possessions. So many times I was standing in my own house, thinking: "why the hell do I have all these things?" I actually attempted starting to live on my bike last summer, but my bike got stolen 3 days in; apparently it wasn't my time. This time, however, it feels as if everything's coming together to make this happen. I have no home, job, or study that ties me to a single place, I was able to sell and give away a bunch of stuff, and I stashed some things I do want to keep – record collection and clothes – at my parents'.
Tomorrow I'm going to Paris with my mom. We're going to spend a day there, after which I'll bike down to Fontainebleau to boulder with some friends. After that, I'm heading for the Alps with Jake (pictured above ;)). From there, it's wide open. I'd like to be in Scandinavia during summer, but I don't know how that'll play out. I don't much care either. I love being on the road, regardless of where I am. It quiets the mind, giving me a lot of inspiration to write, which is what I really want to do.
This is a pretty heavy set up, because pretty much my entire life is strapped to this bike, but I figure that going slow will actually enhance the experience. It'll also be the first time going on a longer trip with pretty much all of this gear, since I had to buy everything all over again after it all got stolen, so it promises to be an interesting journey full of fuck-ups and lessons!
Now, I mainly made this post to thank you all. I've not really posted here, because I don't like to be very present on the internet, but when I first started bikepacking (and touring), you were all a great help. It really feels like a new phase of my life is about to start, like every bike trip has led to this, and I truly can't thank you all enough for helping me get to this point. If anyone out there is thinking about doing the same thing, I can only encourage you to go for it. You'll regret not trying.
I wish you the best of adventures in the future 🙂
Oh, and if any of you have suggestions on where to go, preferably good bouldering spots, please let me know!
by nobodyswritingdotcom
3 Comments
This is rad, hope you have a great experience! I’m sure some stuff will be a steep learning curve, but Europe is a good place to start, good cycling infrastructure and fairly safe. I’m envious!
Good luck on your travels. Nice set up, happy to see a fellow straight bar rather than dropped. Means you can do some narly stuff when you are around decent trails and already set up camp 🙂
This is amazing. I hope you have great trips and good fun.
Maybe consider getting a front rack with more mounting options, like a Tubus Grand Expedition or Surly front rack; that’ll allow you to add front panniers, which at some point you’ll probably need.
As someone who spent time in their 20s going hither and yon (more yon than hither, IIRC) on a bike, it’ll be a bit cathartic at first. The lack of certainty (where do I sleep, what do I eat, how do I deal with official stuff) can be a little destabilizing, but you’ll adapt.
Have a blast and create all the memories to keep as you grow older.