Final phase training and preparation video

This video is to all my friends, riding kakis, my supporters and family members...keep supporting me and give that little push :)

You guys been great!
Video here: Final phase training and preparation video is here

fluidrider.blogspot appointed it News Editor: David Lee

With nine more days to go before my big trip and 100 of tasking to clear,  I will make a quick short introduction to our newly appointed News Editor

David on his favorite adventure rig -The Landrover

Name: David Lee
Age:40
Education Background: Post Grad Marketing (New Zealand)
Expertise: Landrover, photojournalist, International Marketing / Consulting

David Lee will be writing about my trip from his home / office comfort. If you see no latest posting within five days of my last post, drop him an email or FB inbox him :)

Cheers,
Ra

Why bike tour training?

Training and testing out the waterproofing system

Someone asked me early last month on why I need to train for my bike tour and not just pack up my bike and go – like any other “holiday”.

Well, the answer is yes and no. For someone who is really adventurous, the answer is yes,  just pack and go. If you are new to this whole thing, you might be wondering to yourself, what exactly is "bicycle touring"?

Well, "bicycle touring" is the act of riding your bicycle for days, weeks, months, or even years on end as you travel across cities, states, villages ,small towns and countries. I believe thousands of people of all ages, incomes, and demographics are traveling by bike today in comparison to 20 years ago...mostly our Europeans and American friends. I believe it is also because of the weather up there. But hey, let’s not take that as an excuse for not touring here in Asia!. Believe it or not, anyone can be one of bicycle tourer or like me, adventurer! In fact, my goal during my Indonesia bicycling adventure is to share with you how to travel by bike, remain comfortable while out on the road, and have fun along the way! I will try my best.

Training and testing my bike on the trail

The best thing about bicycle touring is that with a bicycle, some basic camping equipment, and a few other items you likely already own, you can get away from home, travel wherever you want, and have one of the best experiences of your life. The best part about living in Asia is cheap to bicycle tour :)


The mental strength to cope with riding a loaded bicycle long distance across terrain where you might not see another human being for days can be enormous and can exhausts you physically and mentally. It's almost impossible to explain to people why long distance bicycle tourer trains. It's not always possible to acquire such long distance bicycle touring skills. It involved many other skills – SCON (Survival, Communication, Observation and Navigation), especially in the unknown territory. Anyone harbouring thoughts of riding places like Archipelago of Indonesia, across China, India, the Stans or into remote regions of the world should test their abilities on shorter touring activities first. See if you can cope with managing for one week or two in more remote part of your "home territory" as part of your cycling holiday. If you have problems now, they will be far greater when your bicycle touring takes you deeper to the unknown territory where water, food supplies and home comforts are so much farther away.

Training and testing the bike drive train for regular
climbing

Will I be able to rise to greater challenges or would it be better advised to stick to the easier option of riding between more 'civilized' places?  Bear in mind also that if I do encounter problems, help may be difficult to summon - I may have difficulty communicating if I do not speak a few words of the local language (dialect).

Pre-event sorties are excellent for testing any of my new gear and for my case, it’ll be the Singapore – Penang (the first leg of Adventure Cycling for Humanity 2011 – Indonesia). This is the part where I will fine tune the way I secure my equipments, the way I want to camp, cook and also to condition myself mentally. It's alarming how many people take new tent or cooking stove on tour for the first time and only to discover that they don't know how to set it or that some parts are missing.

I'm also researching the areas I'm intending to pass through to give me a better appreciation and enjoyment of them - if that is possible, and to prepare me for most eventualities. Books, magazine articles and accounts from others who have been there before or made similar journeys are invaluable to me. I'm also checking the weather patterns of the countries I'm touring in. From reading other bicycle tourer writing, many overlook the possibility of bad weather or the speed at which the weather can change. Some fail to consider the very cold night time temperatures of hot regions like North Africa, or the effects of riding at high altitude. I'll be looking at the maps carefully and am studying their routes until it reach the point where I'll know which town come next and practicing using my GPS aids. I'll use my GPS only as my guide. Road signs will be my best friends. Perhaps the most important single item of equipment in my checklist is a compass to at least help me to keep traveling in the right direction.

I'm also will be in contact with the country relevant tourist board and embassy as they often have more useful information available. If anyone of you know anybody or somebody and think that it be useful – let me know.
Water supply is essential. I'll make provision for carrying enough water and high-energy food to last the journey (with some spare in case of emergency situations, or if I'm finding the going tougher than originally anticipated)

Since I'm doing this independently and without any ground support, my priority in choosing my touring equipment has to be reliability. I may have to forgo lightweight parts and components in favour of stronger equipment, particularly for vulnerable items such as frames, rims, tyres, panniers rack and seat posts. Simplicity is preferred - as repairs may have to be executed by the road or remote village. I got to consider if an item can be double up in it uses, so my kit weight can be kept to a minimum and in case something breaks or is lost - sometimes necessity take over here.

Bike maintenance and bike building training with my 
bicycle touring mentor

Though I am told countless time that riding alone is not recommended and it's of course preferable to have a minimum of 3 people (in case one fall-out) on such journey, I am all set for this. I can speak the language and I am in nature a lone spirits and preferred solitude. I work better and faster alone. Or perhaps there are not enough other adventurous people around to share the journey? If any of you is keen to join me along the way, I like to hear from you. My email will be fruidrider@gmail.com


Since it will be helpful to have some small comfort or reminder from 'back home', I'll be traveling with one Blackberry. Not many in favour of this obviously for the “i” reason. But I think it's one of the most reliable gadgets thus far. I can listen to my playlist, look at my photo albums, connects with FB, calls people and more. This luxury item is highly recommended by psychologists - from special foods for a treat or reward, a hip-flask of drink, small radio, a talisman, smelly pillow or a book to read. Anything to make the situation better is always welcome. I’ll stick to my Blackberry for now.

Bicycle adventurer / tourer experience something that few people in modern society can possibly understand, perhaps tracing my family roots?  Following the route of early merchants or pilgrims and witnessing parts of nature in their most natural state. For me, it's something I love and enjoy doing and I hope someday I can share my story with all of you and my love ones. I would write more as my training progress and during my tour.. Continue riding and most importantly having fun doing it :)

Cheers,
Ra