Jelle and Koen are two greatest buddies who’re on a mission to cycle around the globe.
Each had been born in Belgium and after assembly in 2017 at a competition in Portugal, they’ve skilled numerous adventures collectively.
In early 2020 Koen advised Jelle about his dream to cycle the world on a motorcycle. With near no prior bike touring expertise, they each agreed to go forward with planning this loopy journey. Calling themselves the ‘Metal Donkeyz‘, the 2 adventurers have simply completed the Cape City Cycle Tour in Cape City, after having cycled by 27 international locations to this point. Their subsequent cease is Portugal.
So, what does it take to efficiently journey the world on two wheels? We chatted with Koen and Jelle to search out out.
Earlier than embarking in your journey, how did you put together yourselves bodily?
‘We each purchased our beloved Trek 520’s in February 2020 and deliberate on leaving in March, however Covid determined in any other case. That gave me (Jelle) time to experience about 1000 km on the bicycle earlier than our new beginning date. I’d usually cycle from my residence to Koen’s residence which is about 40 km a method. I wasn’t utterly bodily ready for a visit of this magnitude however you get match whereas using. Koen was much more match than I used to be earlier than leaving. Within the first two weeks, I used to be fairly destroyed after 40 to 50 km. After two weeks we averaged 60 to 80 km and earlier than I knew it we did our first 100 km experience. Now, a 100 km experience is a straightforward day.’
Did quite a bit go into your psychological preparation?
‘I don’t assume you actually might be totally mentally ready for a visit like this. You simply must be extraordinarily versatile and have the ability to change your expectations. All the things all the time modifications if you’re on the street, so don’t plan an excessive amount of. For instance, we had been by no means even planning to come back to Africa within the first place.’
What did you must take into account when planning your route?
‘Our preliminary plan was to cycle in the direction of the east and are available again within the west. We needed to do a circumnavigation of the globe, so to talk. Once we reached Turkey we had an essential determination to make. Covid meant that the street was utterly closed to the east, so we determined to fly to Egypt and cycle in the direction of South Africa.
‘Africa on the time, appeared like the one continent the place travelling was nonetheless potential with out too many border points. After all, we needed to do an entire bunch of PCR exams. We by no means actually deliberate additional than a couple of days forward as a result of conditions can change so quick. Generally we ended up staying for 2 weeks in a spot we by no means even actually deliberate to be at.’
What number of international locations have you ever cycled by to this point and what number of do you’ve left?
‘We’ve cycled in 27 international locations to this point. We plan to fly to Portugal having accomplished the Argus right here in Cape City. We’ll go to some buddies there after which we’ll slowly cycle in the direction of Belgium, passing by Spain and France.’
Simply how a lot do you like South Africa?
After many weeks of gravel using, it felt superior to do some paved roads once more. The primary couple of 100 kilometres in South Africa weren’t the best ones. We regularly needed to battle robust headwinds and temperatures had been additionally nonetheless going by the roof.
Nonetheless, we loved each experience. Realizing that South Africa could be our final African nation, put an additional dimension and vibe to the using. Being so near our ultimate vacation spot made us really feel unusual however extremely motivated, melancholic however tremendous stoked. We discovered ourselves biking, misplaced in the midst of very blended emotions, feelings and ideas.
Earlier than we knew it, we discovered ourselves biking amidst proud mountains, lush meadows, magical forests, and crystal clear creeks once more. The environment felt very acquainted, nearly European-like. We felt reborn, really. Although deserts are magnificent, peaceable and alive in their very own particular approach, they’d quickly turn into a harsh place for thoughts and physique, particularly when biking by them.
What does a typical day on the bike appear like for you?
‘Relying on when the solar comes up, we normally get up when the primary mild hits. We pack our tents and have a fast breakfast. I (Jelle) additionally make espresso on our little MSR range. At round 6 to 7 am, we begin biking for about two to 3 hours. Then we prefer to cease for a small snack, both from a roadside stall or from the foodstuff we carry on the bicycle, relying on the place we’re biking.
‘We then cycle one other two hours till noon and cease for an extended break to have some lunch. Within the afternoon we normally cycle as nicely, until the solar is just too intense. In Namibia, for instance, we regularly needed to cease at round 1 pm as a result of it was simply too scorching. We might then attempt to discover shelter underneath a tree or no matter we may discover and wait out the most popular hours of the day. At round 4 pm we may then proceed and push for an additional two hours. We might then attempt to discover a appropriate tenting area (both a wild camp or ask round to search out some other place).
‘Within the night we nearly all the time cook dinner a recent meal, normally pasta with veggies, or no matter we discover through the day. At 8 pm we’re normally within the tent and at 9 pm we intention to fall asleep.’
How do you handle to hold all you’ll want to survive with so little area?
‘We’ve 5 Ortlieb cycle luggage (2 small ones within the entrance, 2 huge ones within the again and 1 rack pack). Initially of our journey, we had round 40 to 50 kg of baggage. Now, after biking for one 12 months and 9 months we’ve downsized and now carry about 30 kg. When you’re on the street you begin noticing that you just don’t want so many issues to outlive.’
And have you ever confronted any bodily challenges?
‘In Sudan, within the desert, there was usually solely Nile water accessible to drink. The locals advised us the water was secure, so we drank it with out purifying it which was a mistake. Initially of the journey, I had some knee and ankle issues as nicely however that went away with altering my saddle top.’
How do you deal with the challenges of biking outside with the chance of unpredictable climate?
‘We’ve each winter and summer season garments and likewise some garments to guard us from the rain. We even have a very good weatherproof tent and a down sleeping bag for the chilly winter nights again in Europe. In Bulgaria, we acquired utterly snowed in whereas tenting and the temperatures acquired as little as -15 °C.
‘In Africa although, we principally had a heatwave following us all through the continent. Within the Sahara, we cycled in temperatures as much as 50 °C. We rapidly determined to begin biking at night time.’
Are you able to consider a particular second in your journey that had a optimistic impression on you?
‘It’s laborious to decide on a particular second as the entire journey has a significant impression in your complete being. One of many extra intense moments should have been after we lastly reached the ocean once more in Namibia after biking for greater than 13 000 km all through the African continent.
‘Typically, I’d say it’s the small issues that occur day by day whereas biking. Folks’s eyes mild up if you cycle by, providing you with a thumbs-up or shouting some encouraging phrases to you. It’s these small however highly effective issues that make it worthwhile to maintain pushing day by day.’
How do you retain yourselves robust mentally?
‘I believe it helps quite a bit being two individuals. You may encourage one another if you’re feeling down or complain to one another when it’s robust. Aside from that, I believe maintaining a healthy diet and bodily train additionally do wonders to maintain you each mentally and bodily match. After all, there are moments when you don’t see the purpose anymore in pushing on, however if you then lastly attain your objective within the night, the reward is simply that a lot greater!’
What’s the very first thing you’ll do when you’ve completed your journey?
‘Go to family and friends, go and have some Belgian beers in a bar and eat Belgian fries.’
To maintain updated with Jelle and Koen, go to their weblog and see extra photos from their thrilling journey.
Footage: Equipped
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