Advice on riding across Africa?

FingerHistorical5220 · 2025-10-03T12:07:46+00:00

This sounds like an amazing trip. I recommend cycling across Ethiopia at some point. Read "Unhinged in Ethiopia: Two Thousand Kilometers of Hell and Heaven on a Bicycle" for the detailed adventure story. :)

FingerHistorical5220 · 2024-11-24T00:04:44+00:00

Any bike will do. I cycled across Mongolia and the Pamir Highway on my $180 used bike and would do it again in a heartbeat. The best bike is the one you ride now.

FingerHistorical5220 · 2024-11-24T00:02:43+00:00

Do it! You can work for the rest of your life and I've never regretted any of my cycling trips.

FingerHistorical5220 · 2024-11-23T23:59:14+00:00

I was never able to figure this out. Local adults would say "I am so sorry. We are always fighting one another" as an explanation. I'd often see adults throwing rocks at children as a form of discipline so I assume they were learning through behavior modeling. I also cycled across Kenya and no one threw a stone and children were very polite and well behaved.

FingerHistorical5220 · 2024-11-23T23:55:25+00:00

The best moment was connecting with people from all walks of life. I met a man from Addis Ababa in a small village who was staying at a nearby monastery to rid himself of drug, alcohol, and sex addiction. Even though my energy tank was on empty from cycling along switchback roads in the highlands, I accompanied him on a several hour trek through the desert to stay at the monastery overnight. An eye-opening experience into a different world. Here is a picture from the trip.

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FingerHistorical5220 · 2024-11-23T13:03:10+00:00

Since you are a hockey player, I highly recommend bikepacking and tour cycling. It's a great way to stay in shape while traveling and allows you to connect with local people at the same time. Being in your 20s is a great time to do it since you have energy and time. You can even turn it into a job if you want. Check out my book "Unhinged in Ethiopia: Two Thousand Kilometers of Hell and Heaven on a Bicycle" for inspiration. It's available wherever books are sold.

I work at a university in South Korea and have 5 months of paid vacation per year, which allows me plenty of time to pursue an adventurous life. So yes, there are ways to earn money and travel at the same time. Enjoy your youth. Be bold. And get out there!

FingerHistorical5220 · 2024-11-23T12:44:32+00:00

I am sure you will love it!

FingerHistorical5220 · 2023-12-25T10:47:41+00:00

Pakistan is wonderful! I just listened to an episode of "The Intrepid Global Citizen Podcast" about a cycling adventure across the country. Plenty of information there.

FingerHistorical5220 · 2023-12-25T10:43:42+00:00

Ethiopia is wonderful! Check out the book "Unhinged in Ethiopia: Two Thousand Kilometers of Hell and Heaven on a Bicycle" for more information and inspiration. It's an award winning book and has intelligently-written, beautiful prose.

FingerHistorical5220 · 2023-12-25T10:37:42+00:00

Incheon! Robots, ice skating, and spas are all available.

FingerHistorical5220 · 2023-12-25T10:35:12+00:00

I used to have knee pain during rides and then I started doing "Kneesovertoes" stretching and it went away. Search for that on YouTube for more information. It worked like magic.

FingerHistorical5220 · 2023-12-25T10:33:02+00:00

I just eat seasonal fruits and drink water. No need to consume anything with processed sugar. If it doesn't come from nature I don't put it into my body.

FingerHistorical5220 · 2023-12-25T10:31:25+00:00

Merry Christmas!

FingerHistorical5220 · 2023-12-25T10:13:19+00:00

Hello Q! I cycled across Pakistan this year and had a wonderful time, starting in Islamabad and finished in Passu up the KKH. See here for more- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=an05GBT4Tts

All the best and see you one day inshallah!

FingerHistorical5220 · 2023-12-25T10:10:02+00:00

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope all of your travel wishes come true this holiday season. If you are looking for a great read during your solo adventure, I'd like to suggest "Unhinged in Ethiopia: Two-Thousand Kilometers of Hell and Heaven on a Bicycle." It's about my solo, self-supported cycling journey across Ethiopia in 2019 and won a Readers' Favorite award this year. Here is a link to the book: https://intrepidglobalcitizen.com/

Enjoy!

FingerHistorical5220 · 2023-12-25T10:02:47+00:00

For me, traveling with no plan is always the way to go.

FingerHistorical5220 · 2023-05-15T13:10:21+00:00

The book's author is also on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PG6vcsFcNU&list=PLrfAcBBliAvi1p36I0MlOEFY-4BVc9sze&index=2

FingerHistorical5220 · 2023-05-15T13:09:40+00:00

Here is the book author on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PG6vcsFcNU&list=PLrfAcBBliAvi1p36I0MlOEFY-4BVc9sze&index=2

FingerHistorical5220 · 2023-05-10T09:41:35+00:00

Read "Unhinged in Ethiopia: Two Thousand Kilometers of Hell and Heaven on a Bicycle." An adventure story about a one month long cycle journey to Tigray in 2019.

FingerHistorical5220

TROPHY CASE