Epilogue: The Adventure Never Stops

This was meant to be written and published not too long after I finished the Sydney to Perth cycle tour. Whenever I open my WordPress dashboard, I see a list of my day to day journal entries and then started reading some of the posts at random. I then find myself day dreaming about the events that took place in the trip and before I know it, I’ve been spending too much unproductive time and instantly get back to work and study. And then there’s the post-tour depression. What happens when you exit an exciting phase of your life?

I started the tour without much expectations other than thinking it’ll be a fun way of travelling. When it ended, I realised it was much more than that. While on the tour, I’ve met some of the most inspiring people, have regular conversations with myself and thus knowing myself better, I kept pushing my own boundaries by pedalling longer distances, climbing steeper hills, gaining higher average speeds, I solved my own problems day after day, I developed a greater appreciation and respect for the wildlife and nature, I see the way people of different backgrounds live their life, I dealt with survival issues like food rationing and weather reading, I realised that people are inherently kind towards stranger, and most of all, I discovered my genuine passion for cycle touring.

It’s hard to summarise the whole journey into a few words. When people asked “How was your cycling trip?”, it was hard for me to answer them in just a few words. I usually direct them to this blog if I feel that they’re genuinely interested in my trip. If this is the first post on my blog you’re reading and you’re interested in a complete story of my Sydney to Perth cycling tour, I’d suggest reading my tour diary. Feel free to write me comments and/or emails if you have any questions or just general feedbacks. I did the same to other touring cyclists when I was planning my trip and got some really useful advice.

As a general guide, I found the following links useful when planning for my tour:

CGOAB
– Thousands of journals and articles posted by cyclists all over the globe (#1 resource for the touring cyclists)

Ken Kifer’s
– A good general introduction to bicycle touring

Sheldon Brown’s
– This is where I learn most of what I know about bicycle mechanics (along with Youtube)

The following journals and their authors have both inspired and helped with my tour planning:

Turning “Twenteen” across Australia by Prawi Woods
– The journal that got my attention first and inspires me to do a similar feat. Prawi rode from his home city Perth to Sydney and flew to NZ to ride from Auckland to Christchurch before returning to Australia to Brisbane for a Polo match.

FeetFirst from Perth around Australia by Dennis Smith
– Dennis began his series of recumbent trike touring around Australia with his first section riding from Perth to Sydney. His tour gave me confidence that it is practically possible to tour on a trike.

World Jamboree Trike Expedition by Adam Kilpatrick and Stephen Warren-Smith
– The journey of two recumbent trikers from Adelaide to Perth and then South Africa to the 22nd World Scout Jamboree in Sweden. Another journal that boost my confidence in triking across Australia.

…and various other journals of touring cyclists that crossed the Nullarbor.

Even though the trip ended several months ago, whenever I think about it, my memory of it was as fresh as something that happened just yesterday. I remember very clearly every campsite I’ve laid my tent on, the faces of every individual who stopped to have a chat with me, and every single town where I stopped for a meal or an overnight stay. I will never forget the days I had tail winds (not many actually!), the days I faced extremed headwinds, the days I had to shower without warm water in winter cold, the day where I had to calculate my food supply down to its grams to make sure I don’t over eat, the day I stayed in a creepy town, my first day of riding in the rain, my first day of camping, the days I was mentally exhausted, my first time riding 100km in a day on a trike, my first time riding more than 160km (100 miles) in a day ever, the day I was invited to a stranger’s house for a stay, the day I first met a touring cyclist on the road, the day I rode with a guy who walked a longer distance than I rode, the day I witness a 71 years old man shed tears for finishing a walking journey from Melbourne to Perth and on that very same day, I completed my 103-days journey to the city of Perth.

One of the interesting aspect of cycle touring is that touring cyclists often felt an instant connection whenever we encounter each other on the road. I’ve printed a bunch of contact cards with my email and a link to this blog and gave it to all the cyclists I’ve met during the tour. I’ve also given out my cards to other friendly travellers who were keen to keep in touch and keep track of my progress. I still stayed in touch with some of them. Some of the cyclists/walkers also write their own online journals, and here are their websites (along with links to the posts where I met them):

Andy and Damo – Day 57
– On a journey from Australia to UK via SE Asia and Eurasia.

Andrew Cadigan – Day 71
– On a charity walk for cancer around Australia clockwise starting from Sydney.

Mike Pauly – Day 75
– Completed a charity walk for arthritis from Melbourne to Perth.

Richard Xu Tan and F. A. Hutchison – Day 83
– On the beginning of a world tour starting from Perth.

Greg and Kathy – Day 95
– On a relaxing 5-year journey around Australia anti-clockwise starting from Sydney.

For the seasoned touring cyclist, this may or may not have been the most exciting and challenging tour. This, being my first ever cycle tour, is certainly both the best vacation I’ve ever had, and the best bicycle ride ever. I will definitely do it again, and again, and again… For as long as I live and be able to pedal, the adventure never stops…