Post: #1

I've set my sights on cycle touring most of Asia the coming year. Now this won't be the sport fucking journey that most of you here are masters of, it'll be more the likes of Chaos's adventures.

I'll be cycling through the Tibetan plateau, the Mongolian deserts which I expect to be very taxing on my psyche if attempted alone. If think I would really appreciate if had a companion during this 12500km journey. But of course there are also down sides that come traveling with another.

I had originally planned this as a solo journey, however very recently I've met a girl who seems interested. I haven't banged her yet, but given things go well with her, I've half a mind of inviting her along. I've listed a few points I've considered.

Advantages with girl:
-Pair bonding - this I consider important
-Sex
-Not lonely

Advantages Without:
-Meet other girls - this may be limited as I will be constantly on the move. Especially true in China where I have 90 days to cover 4500km.
-Relief if I get bored of her

Advice, insights into this appreciated.

   

Post: #2

It's a no brainer.

100% go solo.

You'll meet people along the way, and the solitude will help you grow and reflect.

Post: #3

It seems crazy that you're thinking about inviting her when you haven't even gotten the bang yet

If you're worried about loneliness, I think finding a guy friend to go along is a way better idea if you can. Cycling thousands of km with a girl you don't know very well (or even one that you do) sounds like a nightmare to me.

Post: #4

Met this married couple a month ago in Indonesia, they've been in Korea for a while and are planning to take 7-9 months to bike to Ireland from there. Shooting to leave next Spring. Anyways might be worth touching base to see if they want to meet up if you're schedules jive.

http://bike-back-home.blogspot.ca/

And what the others said, long distance travel, or even living together with good friends can really strain relationships, Death by a thousand little previously ignored annoyances. Someone you don't know that well and then suddenly spending all your time together seems like it would amplify these potential problems...

Post: #5

1) That trip looks straight badass, and if you complete it you will be by extension a badass. Please post pics when you're done.

2) You're going to cycle it. This is a man activity. A women won't tolerate this nomadic shit, and will whinge and derail it. The only way forward is clearly alone.

You'll be in China, including remote China where they rarely see a foreign dude. You'll also be fit, and will have a story with photos regarding how you're such a badass you're cycling just where ever you want, just because you felt like it. You will meet girls who want to incubate your schlong and cuddle you - guaranteed. Learn some foreign words, and godspeed.

Edit: guaranteed, assuming you approach.

Post: #6

The trip you detailed will cause very high levels of physical discomfort as your muscles and lungs adapt to daily cycling and changing local conditions. How well do you know this girl? Is she "bloody minded"? I do some things, like multi-day hikes, that inevitably result in physical discomfort to participants. Over the years I've found that it is better to select companions based on their "bloody mindedness", rather than purely on physical condition. You sometimes get physically fit people who complain about every ache and pain and are a real downer. A slightly out of shape person who is committed and doesn't complain is a much better bet.

As for taking girls on less demanding trips. It can be a good idea. I know we are all supposed to be great players here, but in reality it's...hard to continually pick up new girls. There's no shame in travelling with a girl you get along with.

Post: #7

I agree with the last post. Al the physical discomfort would be much easier when alone or you should really know this girl. Also, when travelling alone you will meet people everywhere. I really mean everywhere, whether its locals, tourists or whatever.

I travelled Asia for 10 months a few years ago and you don't ever have to be alone if you dont want to.

By the way, have you checked the visa rules for Tibet? I believe you can not even get in solo at the moment. You need to be part of a tour. It's also a bit strict for Russia. When I was there I had to arrange a visa in advance, and I had to be specific about my dates. I was there for 15 days and got a visa for 15 days. It's not like other countries where you just get a 30 day visa and can do whatever.

I'm sure you thought about it, just mentioning it.

Post: #8

This looks like a hardcore trip. How long will the whole thing take?

Taking a girl with you on a trip like this doesn't seem like a good idea, better go it alone... much less of a burden for you, where you are already carrying your own burden by biking across that terrain and in that distance.

Plus 4500 km in 90 days is 50km a day of biking, across hilly and mountainous terrain in all kinds of weather. Serious business and lots of work for your legs.

Post: #9

This seems like a hard activity to pace with someone. When I run with someone, I spend a fair amount of energy just matching our pace. Going alone would eliminate this. I would imagine that you need every advantage for completing such a strenuous journey. I also know than in any circumstance things happen more fluidly when alone. It is easier to adjust to a changing environment while traveling. Unless you have a short and targeted reason to pairing up, I would avoid. Maybe she can join you for a phase of the sojourn?

Post: #10

Absolutely go solo. You will grow in ways you never expected. I see guys traveling with their girlfriends and I want to slap them. There's no gurantee you'll have a happy ever after with the girl. You want to look back on your life and say to yourself or your grandkids that you accomplished an adventure by yourself, not with a girl you were lusting after at the moment and all you did was give her a shoulder to cry on and offer protection when shenwould most likely never even attempt such a mission herself.

If you do it, keep the forum posted. Sounds like one hell of an adventure. Go forth and conquer.

Post: #11

Thaitanium Wrote:By the way, have you checked the visa rules for Tibet? I believe you can not even get in solo at the moment. You need to be part of a tour. It's also a bit strict for Russia. When I was there I had to arrange a visa in advance, and I had to be specific about my dates. I was there for 15 days and got a visa for 15 days. It's not like other countries where you just get a 30 day visa and can do whatever.

I'm sure you thought about it, just mentioning it.

Word, I've revised my plans a bit. Main concern is Tibet. Seems after 2013 more police checkpoints have been added and security has been notched up. The thing is plenty of ethnic Han in China are allowed ride through these checkpoints without a care in the world with their citizenship card. I am as well, but having a foreign passport will no doubt cause issues.

New route will take me through Qinghai province into XinJiang province, a much more rustic route I hear.

Spectrumwalker Wrote:I see guys traveling with their girlfriends and I want to slap them. There's no gurantee you'll have a happy ever after with the girl. You want to look back on your life and say to yourself or your grandkids that you accomplished an adventure by yourself, not with a girl you were lusting after at the moment and all you did was give her a shoulder to cry on and offer protection when shenwould most likely never even attempt such a mission herself.

Absolutely true. I've often thought this as well. I guess me asking this question came from a momentary insecurity, a tad scared about the length and remoteness of this journey. - Which of course is pretty silly considering I can speak a bit of Chinese and Russian, and towns are never too far apart to warrant concern.

Post: #12

Virus, are you familiar with CrazyGuy? http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/
Lots of good info, good luck and enjoy your journey.

Post: #13

Bring her along and make a vlog that we can watch and laugh at.

Seriously, don't even think of bribing her along. Terrible fucking idea. Go slap yourself.

Post: #14

(09-10-2015 09:04 AM)virus Wrote:  Advantages with girl:
-Pair bonding - this I consider important
-Sex
-Not lonely

Advantages Without:
-Meet other girls - this may be limited as I will be constantly on the move. Especially true in China where I have 90 days to cover 4500km.
-Relief if I get bored of her