Taking the train from Yogyakarta to Jakarta.

It was a strange for me to actually accept this would be the first substantial non bike part of the journey, apart from the planes over the sea.  I knew that it was inevitable but I had hoped that it would never come. In life there is always compromise and this was one of them.  When I had come up with the idea of cycling around the world I was looking to do it with someone, rather than do a solo trip.  After Liz and I got together she was willing to come with me, but was less concerned with a purist bike-only trip and not willing to spend years in the saddle.  So Bikeabout – New Zealand to England was born and we agreed we had the option to take buses, boats, trains, planes and camels if needed, and be back in time to have babies before old age creeps in.  I often worried that some people might see this as cheating and would be less willing to support us and the charity, and I also wanted to prove to myself that I could cycle all the way.

Contemplation on the matter has eased my conscience.  Firstly we never said it would be bike only. Secondly given the choice between leaving Liz and cycling alone or doing a slower, shorter trip with Liz there was little thinking time needed.

Anyone who thinks this is a cop out then spend 3 years saving enough money to put a deposit on a small house or flat, then instead of buying a house, buy a bike and use the rest of the money to cycle most of the way around the world.  At the same time try to run a marketing campaign that will raise £20,000 to build a school.  If you think this sounds a little hard or you’ve not got the time or money, then it might be easier to donate here!

Sorry for the rant, but I wanted to get it of my chest and I feel a lot better now.  Love to all those that support us!

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