I last travelled by bike over thirty years ago. Back then, it was on a first-generation mountain bike (hardtail & hard fork) with plastic bags and elastic bands. Today I want to take the plunge again and set off in search of a suitable bike. I google ‘which bike for travelling by bike’!
It turns out that, in principle, you can travel on any bike. It depends more on the surface you're travelling on and your riding style. I know myself. Sooner or later I'll find myself on a narrow, steep path or in the mud. So the pendulum swings in favour of a mountain bike, just as it did over thirty years ago. If it weren't for this new category - gravel bikes.
Gravel bikes - the bike for the undecided. Road or off-road? Hills, mountains or flat terrain? With or without luggage? It doesn't matter - this bike can do it all. Sounds a bit like marketing, but whatever, I have to have it.
As my bike is supposed to travel around the world at least 12 times, and will certainly be hit by a lorry or fall off a cliff 3-4 times, I decide in favour of a steel frame. Especially as it could be welded in a Nepalese village 6000 metres above sea level if necessary.
After two weeks, the wait is over. I put the bike together and go for a test ride. I quickly find out how to operate this new type of gearing, but unfortunately only one way. I have to stop and ask Google how to shift up the gears on a bike. Fortunately, searches on the internet are anonymous.
And here I am. Proud owner of a 15kg light blue gravel bike. I can shift the gears up and down. What could possibly go wrong? The world is my oyster. To be continued!