@worldbiking

Seriously shocked when we rolled off the ferry from Sweden and onto this coastal paradise. It's DENMARK! I wasn't expecting sunshine, sailboats, and sandy beaches. I've had similar shocks in other countries I've cycled. I never imagined western China would be so ruggedly mountainous and spectacularly beautiful. Didn't think Tanzania would have such tantalizing beaches. Never dreamed my fellow Americans would be so hospitable towards cyclists. Which countries have defied your expectations? . . .

How do you pass the time once the sun sets? I watch films, edit photos, read books on my Kindle and sometimes do a bit of yoga. Now that the days are getting shorter, I'm looking for new things to keep me busy during the long nights in the tent. Any ideas? Please share. . . .

This kind 🐄 invited us to share her pasture for the night! I'll give her 5 stars as a host. Totally let us do our own thing with no expectation of entertainment for the evening. . . . .

Anyone feeling slightly sad as summer slips away? I know I am.⁣ ⁣ Those long days when the sun never set are history. We've actually had to drag out the headlamps. ⁣ ⁣ The roads are quieter and I'm happy about that. (Tourists are terrible drivers, don't you agree?)⁣ ⁣ Our fellow cycle travelers seem to have suddenly disappeared. Gone south for warmer weather or possible back to work.⁣ ⁣ One of our summer highlights was blasting across Jotunheimen National Park in Norway. ⁣ ⁣ High mountains, deep lakes and glaciers. P E R F E C T!⁣ ⁣ ⚡⚡What was your summer cycling highlight?⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣

This I'm celebrating my right to ride a bicycle.⁣ ⁣ The bicycle craze of the 1890's helped pave the way for women's rights. Riding a bicycle gave women transportation independence and led to new less-constraining fashions.⁣ ⁣ The right to ride a bicycle is something most women take for granted. But in Saudi Arabia, women are still denied the fun and fitness benefits of cycling. ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣

🗻 Snow-capped mountains, a sparkling lake and oodles of sunshine! Norway, you are perfect! (Well, except for all those cloudy, miserable times when it rained all day and the wind howled outside our tent. You know, the times I bundled up in 6 layers even though it was the middle of summer. Those times excepted, you are P E R F E C T 😘.

Have you ever had one of those 'maybe I've been on the road too long' moments?⁣ ⁣ Ours came a few nights back when we found ourselves camped out in a public restroom.⁣🚾 ⁣ Sad, I know. Definitely not the image you'd like to conjure up in relation to a bicycle adventure.⁣ ⁣ Truth is, the toilet was comfy and cozy. Clean, too! Legions cleaner than hotel rooms I've paid good money for in places like India and Ethiopia (not to knock those countries, but SOMETIMES hygiene just isn't up to par).⁣ ⁣ Here's how we found ourselves sleeping in the loo...⁣ ⁣ A nasty storm was raging on the top of the big pass out of Laerdal. We love our tent, but it's taking a battering over the past few months. Poles have snapped in 3 spots and we've exhausted our repair kit. One more break and we're doomed.⁣ ⁣ Not sure our beloved tent would survive more gale-force winds, we popped into the privy for the night. Slept great! (Check out our IG Story for a tour of the Toilet Motel)⁣ ⁣ So, how about you? Ever found yourself doing stuff on tour that you would have never done in 'real life'? Come on, fess up! ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣

How do YOU finance your long-distance bicycle tour?⁣ ⁣ Lots of people are curious about how we manage to travel long-term, and I try to be transparent. In a nutshell, here’s our story:⁣ ⁣ Snagged jobs with above average salaries and continued to live more like students than professionals. Around 6 years of full-time work and careful saving allowed us to create a comfortable nest egg. ⁣ ⁣ Saved a high percentage of our income and purchased a couple small flats to rent out. This is the income which we now use to finance our travels.⁣ ⁣ We also set aside money in a ‘retirement fund’ knowing we will not be drawing pensions later on. (We’re middle-aged so that’s important.) ⁣ Now we live simply, spending around $8,000 per year as a couple. We do not take breaks to earn money along the way and don’t generate income from our website. We have got a few sponsors who have generously provided us with gear.⁣ ⁣ So, what’s YOUR story?⁣ ⁣ Do you earn money online? That’s the case for @cyclingabout and @bicycletouringpro⁣ ⁣ Did you teach English abroad and save up to tour? @longrodehome taught in China and @petegost taught in Japan before touring.⁣ ⁣ Do you earn money from photography and writing like @whileoutriding and @talesontyres ? (we've earned a tiny amount of money this way)⁣ ⁣ Have you received money through crowdfunding? Are you using student loans to pay for your tour? Have you decided to credit card tour and pay it all back later? ⁣ ⁣ Did you receive an inheritance? Are you the lucky recipient of a trust fund? ⁣ ⁣ Do you have a skill which allows you to work remotely? ⁣ Did you move from your home country to another country where you could earn a higher salary?⁣ ⁣ Did you live in your parent’s basement and eat ramen noodles for a year in order to save money? ⁣ ⁣ If you feel comfortable sharing info about your touring finance strategy, I’m sure others would be grateful. ⁣

A long break at the top of a big climb...just one of the perks of being 'time wealthy.'⁣ ⁣ In 2006, when we decided to quit our jobs and go bicycle touring, we never imagined still being on the road in 2018.⁣ ⁣ 12 years is a long time to tour. Many of you reading this were probably just kids when we set off. ⁣ ⁣ Not having won the lottery or being recipients of generous trust funds, we are not financially wealthy. What we are is time wealthy. ⁣ ⁣ Sure, we don't have a big house or a fancy car. But we don't need or value those things. (But I would like to have a cozy little house on a pretty plot of land and maybe an e-bike when I'm too old to pedal by myself.)⁣ ⁣ We've got TIME: Time to say no to busyness. Time to relax and gaze out over beautiful mountains. Time to change our plans and stay in Norway all summer just because we like it here.⁣ ⁣ I'm glad I've organized my life to create more time. It was a choice and it didn't come without compromises. But isn't that always how life works? You have to give up something to gain something. ⁣ ⁣ ⁣

How do you feel about so-called 'tourist-traps'? Some people actively avoid them, even making massive detours just to keep away from popular tourist destinations.⁣ ⁣ These shots are from Trollstigen, one of Norway's most popular scenic drives. It's August, so you can imagine the crowds. Tour buses trundled past and retirees cheered us on. Camper vans streamed by and motorcyclists blasted past as we slowly tackled the switchbacks.⁣ ⁣ Sure, I'd have preferred to have the road all to myself. But those dramatic views I wouldn't have missed for the world! ⁣ ⁣ The road twists through 11 hairpin bends as it climbs up to Stigrøra (858 metres above sea level). In some places it's actually cut into the mountain and other parts are built on top of stone walls. A truly impressive feat of engineering and overall awesome ride.⁣ ⁣ Would you do the ride, in spite of the tour buses? Or are you someone who really likes to have the road all to yourself?⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣

Giveaway!!! We've teamed up with @WrapTie to give away 3 packs of the world's smartest multi-function straps. It's easy to win. Just tag a friend and tell us what cool 'luxury' you'd love to strap on the back of your bike using . Then give @WrapTie a follow.⁣ ⁣ I'm already using WrapTies for that giant Ortlieb bag I've got on the back rack, but if I were to take one more luxury, it would be a GUITAR! I'm imaging evenings around a campfire making music and chatting with new friends.⁣ ⁣ Winners will be chosen randomly by the @WrapTie team. Contest ends exactly one week from today. So remember to tell us what you'd tie down with a WrapTie, tag a friend, and be sure to give the team at @WrapTie a follow! Good luck. ⁣ ⁣ ⁣

⁣ ☔ What's your wet weather strategy?⁣ ⁣ Here in Norway, it's been raining for the past two days. And we're weather wimps. ⁣ ⁣ Luckily, the library is open from 6 AM to 11 PM. There's free internet, sparkling clean restrooms and no ban on coffee and snacks. ⁣ ⁣ There's even a comfy couch on the second floor where one might take a snooze.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Best of all, we found a little shelter with a slightly leaky roof where we can pitch the tent for the night. The place is starting to feel like home.⁣ ⁣ We considered cycling on. But then we'd miss the views of the mountains! And that's what we're here for. To gaze awestruck at Norway's natural beauty. ⁣ ⁣ Plus, we'd get really, really wet. And possibly a little grumpy.⁣ ⁣ We're not in a rush. Perhaps tomorrow we'll cycle on.⁣ ⁣ What do you do when rain rolls in? Hunker down and cycle on? Wimp out and search for a shelter?⁣ ⁣ ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣