Archive for the ‘Cycling’ Category

World Cycle: Routes through Italy, Croatia and Montenegro

Posted: February 9, 2014 in Cycling
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The planning continues – putting together a cycling route through Europe as part of my world cycle from Eindhoven in the Netherlands, to Adelaide, Australia.

This is a part I am really looking forward to. Coming down from the alps, visiting the spectacular city of Venezia (Venice), before cycling down the beautiful Balkan coast. The photos of that coast look amazing. *Excited*.

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Skadar lake in Montenegro. (www.caingram.info)

Like on earlier trips, I am planning a route, and letting people out there in internet land shoot at it. Here are my planned routes for Italy, Croatia and Montenegro.

All suggestions are welcome!

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World Cycle: Routes through Germany and Switzerland

Posted: February 5, 2014 in Cycling
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Its time to get concrete. My rough plan of cycling from Eindhoven in the Netherlands, to Adelaide, Australia is done. I have handed in my notice, and am working through lots of paperwork and other preparations. Now its time to plan the route – in more detail.

Like on earlier trips, I am planning a route, and letting people out there in internet land shoot at it. Clearly there is a lot of work to plan a 25000 km trip. I have started with planning my route through Germany, and then Switzerland.

All suggestions are welcome!

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Life is not a dressed rehearsal: Cycling from Holland to Australia

Posted: January 7, 2014 in Cycling
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It has been a long road to arrive at this point, but actually, the road is just starting. Its exciting beyond belief, and bloody scary too. In September I will be leaving my job of 16 years and cycling from Eindhoven, the Netherlands – where I now live, to Adelaide, Australia – my birthplace. There is a lot of preparation to be done. I need to shed all my worldly possessions, learn a bit more about bike maintenance, arrange all sorts of paperwork, and plan the route.

You guys all helped me with my cycle trip in 2013 to the North Cape in Norway. You gave me great tips on my planned route, and I was able to meet up with some of you. I would like to do that here again with this more ambitious trip.

Here is a rough idea of how I want to get to Adelaide.
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In the coming weeks I will be putting together a planned route through Europe. It would be great to get some feedback on the route – roads I should take, places I should go.

This dream I had always thought would remain just a dream. It is too risky, too scary, too thrilling. My life situation is such that I can do this now. I am fit enough. I don’t want to look back on my life when on my death bed and think – I had the chance, and I let it go. A good friend of mine summed it up perfectly: Life is not a dressed rehearsal. I am going to do this!

To be continued!

New Video: 2013 Cycling Adventure Part 3: Nordkapp – Kirkenes

Posted: September 23, 2013 in Cycling
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The third and final video segment of my summer bike trip is ready. After 5000km, arctic-cycler is well and truly in the arctic. I explored the barren, glacial landscape of Norway’s northern-most peninsulas. I cycled down roads most do not visit. At peace with the beauty of Norway.

New Video: 2013 Cycling Adventure Part 2: Helsinki – Nordkapp

Posted: September 18, 2013 in Cycling
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The video of the second segment of my cycle trip this summer is ready. This is the Scandinavian segment where I started in Helsinki, passed through Finland, Sweden and Norway to the North Cape (Nordkapp). I cycled through endless beautiful forests, lovely little villages, fought off swarms of ravenous mosquitos, and did a lot of night cycling. Night time is the most beautiful and peaceful time to be on the road. I ended at the North Cape to appear on Norwegian television. Another highlight of the trip. 🙂

Brabant and Zeeland. 277km cycling with Chris.

Posted: September 9, 2013 in Cycling, Netherlands
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Norway, England and now the Netherlands. Cycling with Chris, my kindred spirit, through fields, forests, dunes and dikes. Full speed ahead to keep ahead of the weather, and to catch the return boat to England. We were caught by the downpour, but made the boat. And still time for a cafe stop.

Weekend cycle with Chris Regan. Map and gpx.

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New Video: 2013 Cycling Adventure Part 1: Eindhoven – Tallin

Posted: August 26, 2013 in Cycling
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The cycle trip to the North Cape is now over, and the post cycle pleasure is just starting. I have put together the first of three videos on my cycle trip. This video is on the leg of the trip from Eindhoven to Tallinn. I hope you like the video. It was fun putting it together! 🙂

Final Route: Cycling 2013

Posted: August 10, 2013 in Cycling
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After cycling 6315km, I have had my first week of ‘normal life’. I miss the road, and its good to be back. Both at the same time.

Thinking about my trip, I am collecting and collating material from the trip. You will see some of the results of this in the coming weeks.

Today I have my final route for my cycle trip from 2013. Click here or on the image to see the map in more detail, and download the gpx.

My route by bicycle: Eindhoven - North Cape - Kirkenes. Summer 2013

My route by bicycle: Eindhoven – North Cape – Kirkenes. Summer 2013

Day 58. Eindhoven

Posted: August 4, 2013 in Cycling, Netherlands
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I cried. Cycling leaving Kirkenes. It’s over. And the next adventure is in the planning.
Greeted at the airport by my wonderful friends. Welcome home to real summer. It’s hot here. Now night has fallen, and it’s dark!

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Spot the cyclist that wears sandals.
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I’m home. The adventure is truly over. Thanks everyone for reading my blog, and thanks to all the people that helped me, in the planning and en route. The people from the cycling forums, the people that cycled with me, the people that took me in their boat from one peninsula to the next, the people I stayed with and were guardians of my paper maps for the next stage. There are many others too. And thank you to my family and friends!! You have all made it a wonderful trip!

This will be my last blog entry for a while. Enjoy the rest of the summer!

Matthew

Day 57. 36km. Holmfoss – Kirkenes

Posted: August 3, 2013 in Cycling, Norway
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Today was my last day cycling. A small stint in the sun to Kirkenes – where they are partying in the warm sun. It’s the city festival – to say goodbye to a tired and contented cycler.

Day 57. 36km. Holmfoss – Kirkenes. Map and gpx.

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