Solo round the world bike tour - female version
"Is it possible to take a cycling trip as a single woman?" Faith Addison is doing this right now, and is helping me answer this popular question.
Faith Addison, from Gloucester, England.
This question is in fact the one that I am asked the most often, by far. And while I personally believe that yes, it is possible to travel alone, I wished I could answer you more fully with the experience and perspective of a woman.
This woman, I found her by chance last October, leaving a bicycle shop in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Faith graciously accepted to answer my questions, of which I present a translation here.
1- Faith, can you first tell us who you are and describe your trip?
Good morning ! My name is Faith and I am from England. Over the past two years, I have cycled more than 30 km, from New Zealand to Kyrgyzstan, through the desert of Australia, torrential rains in South East Asia and the snow-covered roads of Southeast Asia. 'Himalayas in China.
I had dreamed of this trip for several years and I often have to pinch myself to remind myself that I am living this dream every day. The world is fascinating and incredible, and in my opinion the best way to experience its cultures and experience its landscapes is to cycle through it.
2- Let's go directly to the main question: is it possible for a woman to travel alone by bicycle?
After a night in a tunnel under the road in China. (photo provided)
In short: YES! Many do and I personally love my experience. I also realize that people protect and care more for women cyclists than men. I am constantly invited to sleep with strangers. These invitations are one of the most beautiful things of my trip, and give me a real appreciation for the different cultures, customs and rituals that can only be discovered by leaving the hotels and common paths.
3- Do you think it's different to travel as a woman rather than as a man?
I had the chance to chat with several other female cyclists, as well as with men and couples. I have seen that it is single women who receive the best reception. In many cultures, it is very unusual or impossible for women to go for a walk on their own, let alone go on an adventure on a bicycle. I believe it is for this reason that we are even more protected and invited. We are also believed to be much more vulnerable and we are never seen as a threat. So in a way, maybe it's even easier to travel as a woman.
4- Do you need to change the way you dress or the way you are in certain countries?
Showing the damage to his wheel after a traffic accident. Man or woman, be careful with cars! (Photo provided)
Occasionally.
I try to roughly imitate the local clothing. In countries where women are completely covered, I will therefore wear leggings and long sleeves. Otherwise, I'm in bike shorts and short sleeves.
One piece of advice I can offer, however, is to notice how people are looking at you and if necessary, cover up a little more than less to avoid unwanted attention.
5- Have you ever been attacked or feared to be?
Around the world, 99.999% of people are friendly, generous, helpful and curious. It is the remaining 0.0001% that can pose a problem, as much for women as for men.
Two bad incidents have happened to me in two years on the road. One in Malaysia, and one recently in Turkey. In both cases, attempts were made to touch me without my consent. Fortunately both times I managed to get out pretty quickly. Although I was shaken, I was lucky that nothing bad happened to me.
These two bad experiences were obviously too many, but they did not change my view of the world.
My biggest lesson on this trip is that the vast majority of people are generous and upright. I am constantly surprised at how fond people are for me, even though I frequently find myself playing the role of a girl or a best friend. The language barrier has never been a problem either. A smile and good judgment are the only necessities.
6- Which countries were the easiest or the most difficult for you?
Countries where the language is the same are obviously easier. In my case, New Zealand and Australia were pretty straightforward. China, on the contrary, was probably the most complex country in terms of communication. Even the simplest gestures are not understood! But it was never a problem for me, on the contrary I found it rather funny!
7- How would you say that this trip has changed you?
Faith, at her 25th kilometer. (photo provided)
I never cease to be amazed at the kindness of strangers to me. The media and the news constantly paint a terrifying picture of the world. We see it as a place where fear reigns, where it is dangerous to leave the marked road.
And yet, that couldn't be further from the truth. People everywhere are looking for happiness and nothing is more beautiful than seeing people smile. I venture more and more into even more inaccessible places, and seeing people completely happy to meet me also brings me happiness.
8- Would you recommend this type of trip to other women?
The hardest part of a long bike trip is deciding to go. Fortunately, once you hit the road, I guarantee you won't look back.
I encourage you to be generous to strangers, and to accept their generosity in return. Trust your instincts. Ride towards the sunset, smile, and enjoy the journey.
There are so many beautiful places to visit and adventures to experience in this world. Most importantly, there are so many fantastic people to meet along the way.
The world is wonderful. Discover it and you will not regret it.
You can follow Faith's adventures on Facebook, on her page The Adventure Cyclist.
And for even more inspiration, I invite you to read this article from the excellent Traveling Two site, or follow Fredrika, the young Swede who is currently alone on a 4-year round-the-world cycling tour.
It's one thing to go on an adventure alone or as a couple, it's quite another to embark on a cycle tour with children. I spoke to four families who nevertheless demonstrate that with a little preparation and adaptation, cycling remains the best way to travel and grow. Here is the fourth.