Thorn Cycles Forum
Community => Cycle Tours => Topic started by: mike61yorkie on March 14, 2018, 07:53:16 am
-
Hi everyone
I set off from Middlesbrough, England on the 7th March 2018 with the plan to cycle to Australia! I’m a total newbie to the world of cycle touring and will be making plenty of mistakes along the way, but hopefully having plenty of fun.
I purchased a Thorn Nomad for the trip and after only a hundred miles I’m congratulating myself for choosing such a brilliant bike. I know it’s a bit of a tank, but it just ‘feels ‘ so capable and nothing will stop it!
I’m not particularly very techno/social media savvy, so my daughter has set up a Facebook page ‘Where’s Dools?’ , where I will post regular updates along the way.
I’m looking forward to being part of the Thorn community, so any tips and advice would be greatly welcomed . Cheers Mike
-
Great stuff - living the dream (or at least my dream). What route are you planning on taking?
-
Sounds like a great trip, but I can't find the facebook page (Though that may be my lack of social media savvy...)
-
well fair play to you that's gonna be some adventure way beyond anything i'd do on a bike 8)
advice have a blast dont come home with a pocket full of money ;)
anto. .
-
I’m looking forward to being part of the Thorn community, so any tips and advice would be greatly welcomed
We're surely glad to have you, Mike; welcome aboard!
Folks here are good about helping with questions, and don't forget the archives! Many topics have been covered before, so using the Forum search function may provide answers even more quickly than floating a question. These tips may prove helpful:
http://thorncyclesforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=4390.0
Take care and happy times on your big tour.
Best,
Dan.
-
Great stuff, Mike, and a welcome and my best wishes for your adventure!
You've chosen the bike to take you Down Unda, and you've come to a forum full of helpful and informed people -- the place for all things Thorn-mit-Rohloff.
A suggestion: try to time the Australian stage of your journey for the cooler part of the year, say May-Sept. It can get dangerously hot in Oz. My cycling experience there is limited to SE Queensland and NE New South Wales, but there are several 'Strayans in the forum who can give you detailed advice.
Look forward to reading your stories and seeing your photos.
Cheers, John
-
What a truly exciting adventure to set out upon. I shall be following this one with more than a passive interest.
The tropical north of Australia is a wonderful place but from around September to circa. March its the cyclone season. This brings increasing humidity through until January then high rainfall from thereon. It can be tiring cycling and roads do close due to flooding. You'll not go thirsty though and warm showers will keep you clean at regular intervals!
PM for more info if you wish.
-
Best wishes and enjoy the ride.
Please keep us posted.
-
Thank you all kindly for your words of advice and encouragement, it’s greatly appreciated.
I’ve only made it to Matlock Bath so far, just pottering down visiting friends along the way and trying to keep out of the snow and easterly winds!
I’ve tried to find the link to my Facebook page Where’s Dools? So that I could share my page, but unfortunately I can’t find/see it!
I’m in total awe of my Thorn Nomad bike, it seems totally capable in any situation!
-
Ps. I can’t find the Facebook link, but I do have a YouTube link https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZhTIRlIgG7enQl3OKD_GJA
Which I hope works 😬
-
Im confused is this video mikes start of the journey,I subscribed to the channel god start pity about miserable weather.
-
I’ve only made it to Matlock Bath so far,
You're talking like a World traveller already, remember that to most people Middlesbrough to Matlock is a huge distance on a bike!!
I'm just down the road in Derby, hope you weren't riding too far yesterday, I was out for an hour and it was bitter.
You could ride another 30 miles to the Derbyshire Melbourne and either claim the mission complete, or have ridden Melbourne to Melbourne.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne,_Derbyshire
-
Haha. I had no idea there was a Melbourne in Derbyshire!
I’m estimating it will take me two years to get to ‘the other’ Melbourne in Australia.
Heading East towards Stamford tomorrow
-
Thanks to my daughter...... my Facebook link is
https://m.facebook.com/Wheres-Dools-2000063056702458/
-
Haha. I had no idea there was a Melbourne in Derbyshire!
I’m estimating it will take me two years to get to ‘the other’ Melbourne in Australia.
Heading East towards Stamford tomorrow
You also cycled passed Melbourne in Yorkshire, just SE of York! Have a great trip.
-
I’ve made in to London, to see one of my sons. Staying here a few days before heading to Brighton to see more family.
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2027316890643741&id=2000063056702458
-
Following you on FB, all good stuff, looking forward to your updates.
-
I'm enjoying this unfolding story too. Incidentally, which tent is the one in your wild camping photo?
-
It’s a Hilliberg Allak. Probably bigger than I really needed, but I love the quality of it.
-
Me and my Nomad have reached Ypres!
Have a look at the FB & YouTube.... Where’s Dools?
-
Just subscribed to your YouTube page.
You are basically cycling from my neck of the woods (Scarborough) to my sister's neck of the woods (Hastings, on the Mornington Peninsula) ......a long way on a 'plane, never mind a bike !!
Anyway, have fun and best of luck with it all.
-
Cheers Tiberius.
I’ve made it to Germany and now heading north to Denmark!!
The Nomad is taking it easy on these civilised paths/roads.
Ask your sister to put the kettle on!!
-
My Nomad has taken me to Denmark (3000 miles).
I’ve made a little video of my time in Germany.
https://youtu.be/iBMZ6PZgvRI
-
Quick update..... I’m in Vienna, heading to Bratislava tomorrow. My Nomad has covered 5000 faultless miles.
The weather has turned significantly cooler and the cycling is going to get tougher, as I make my way through the Balkans
-
10000kms..... the day I reached Sarajevo!!
-
Epic Stuff ride safe tail winds.
jags
-
Perhaps one of the few reasons I'd consider signing up to Facebook. Enjoying this travelogue immensely. Thanks for sharing
-
Hello..... I Arrived in Athens today! My Nomad has now clocked up 7350 miles without a hiccup! I’m taking her (Tina) to Action3 cycles in Athens tomorrow for a service and overhaul (tyres, chain, oil etc). Then picking her up in the New year and continuing my journey East.
If you would like to follow Tina’s progress please take a look at,
Facebook.... Where’s Dools?
YouTube....... Where’s Dools?
Instagram... mikedoolsccm
-
mike your not to be found on utube i searched :'(
if u have a link to it please.
anto.
-
Here you go anto,
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZhTIRlIgG7enQl3OKD_GJA
-
good stuff thanks for that. 8)
anto.
-
nice video looks like the tour is going very well ;)
keep her lit.
anto.
-
Day 380...... reached Antalya, Turkey
https://www.facebook.com/2000063056702458/posts/2721005234608233?sfns=mo
-
After 412 days...... made it to Georgia 🇬🇪
https://www.facebook.com/2000063056702458/posts/2794631843912238?sfns=mo
Tina the Nomad keeps chugging along happily