concluding remarks (and statistics)
In this chapter, I would like to make some general comments on my tour, I asked for them and those things again and again am. If you want, but still contact me (see "Introduction and Comments")
motivation
why I drive this tour, they asked me many times. First it was only to fulfill a lifetime dream. Since 1990, this tour spins me around in my head. When I hitchhiked back then with my son by Britain, came to us first the thought of Tierra del Fuego to Alaska - the longest land route of the earth - to hitchhike. This too is certainly a great experience: romantic, adventurous and not so stressful. But 1990-2004 I was in so much with the wheel throughout the world, that the idea of the route to take the wheel, was obvious. As I drove on 1998 West Coast of the USA by bike, was the initial illusory idea of a desire to be settled but I did not believe themselves right. Actually, I would have thought the entrance to the Retirement 2000 a realization. However, my work in bicycle projects in Rwanda and Burundi took me so to claim that this tour I just had a dream. The provisional successful completion of the bicycle projects in Africa to 6 years in 2005, I had the crazy idea in December, but I venture closer to the tour. First I talked to my wife about it, the knew that I had this dream, but thought I was normal and not so crazy to start this crazy business. When she is not threatened with eviction, divorce, separation or other purposes, I was satisfied for now. She could not understand that one can be as "crazy", but she accepted at least that I am, even if it was not highly delighted. I was and am very grateful for it, but that she has the attitude: "I can not and will not ban you, you that you fulfill your dream, when he for me is incomprehensible. "Thank you Gisela.
motivation for me today is yet another area. motivation from the tour" do something ". I am in two social projects involved. In Arequipa (Peru), I visited a house that children from disadvantaged families who need medical care or other support, to ensure schooling. are now in this house only two children, Margaret and Sixto [see " Images (Peru / Bolivia), "Photo no. 2299] housed, because for more (still) no money is available, but it will be more, ten or twelve. ( Now that I report that noch einmal überarbeite, hab ich die Nachricht bekommen, dass es schon 4 Kinder sind und Jacqui hat ein Baby bekommen. Sie leitet weiterhin das Haus ). Dieses Projekt wird zur Zeit nur von einer Diakonin aus München getragen, die die finanziellen Mittel dafür ausschließlich aus Spenden aufbringt. Und für dieses Projekt, das ich ja auf meiner Radtour besucht habe, möchte ich werben, um es ebenfalls materiell unterstützen zu können.
Das andere Projekt, das mir am Herzen liegt, ist das Fahrradprojekt "Räder für Ruanda" (und Burundi) der Kinderhilfsorganistaion "Human Help Netwerk e.V." aus Rheinland-Pfalz. Dafür war ich in 6 Jahren 50 Wochen in Afrika ehrenamtlich tätig. Ich möchte, that this project can be continued. Rwanda and Burundi are in the poverty statistics at the far end of Africa and a personal commitment guarantees a sensible use of resources. ( Here supplements: In May 2008 I will travel to Burundi, where the device one is a pharmaceutical laboratory - funded by German donations - guide.)
With the tour I would like to show you something. I want to show that older people, people of retirement age, can afford anything else. must now, can not and should not like any retiree with a bike ride from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego. But you look around at what "the ancients" and they deserve a professional: they are (Voluntary) work in clubs and other organizations to accomplish, it admirable achievements in the cultural creative, they have life experience and experience in their work areas with which they can help so many young people their lives to make and just such and to accomplish even greater achievements, like " the old "before them. I would like to now not propagated everywhere, but it denied the more practiced "youth craze" right to exist. If I have to at the age of 68 years contributed to my "madness tour", then I am the only law to be considered as a means to enhance the performance of the elderly in society.
Vorbereitung und Organisation
Mit der Vorbereitung begann ich im Januar 2006. Im internet fand ich mehrere Web-Seiten, von Leuten, die ebenfalls diese Strecke mit dem Rad gefahren waren. Mit einem Schweizer Radsportler hatte ich e-mail-Kontakt und er konnte mir einige sehr nützliche Hinweise geben. Als erstes besorgte ich mir von jedem Land eine Landkarte (Reise know how) und arbeitete für die gesamte Strecke die Streckenpläne aus. Dabei ging ich von den Streckenlängen aus, die ich auf meinen bisherigen Touren gefahren war (etwas zu optimistisch, wie sich später herausstellte).
Dabei kam ich auf 150 Fahrtage mit insgesamt 22.000 km. In 5 Monaten ohne Punkt und Komma (oder besser ohne Pause und „Besichtigungen“) always go - that could not be. With a scheduled flight ticket from Delta Airlines (USA) for an open jaw with a 9-month validity, I had an additional 4 months that I get to the individual countries - could be divided as reserve days - depending on size. For the reserve day I thought about but also what I could do with it if I did not need them for the "normal" route. So I came to 200 days with 27,000 km. And then Internet, 77 reserve days for rest and recreation, organization, technical inspections of the bicycle, diary maintenance in and unforeseen things. Also, my return trip flight was still not fully understood. After doing a
Review had what would happen to me, now I bought a plane ticket (Open Jaw: Frankfurt / Main - Anchorage and Santiago de Chile - Frankfurt / Main).
completion of the technical facilities for cycling and accommodation, purchase of some spare parts, tools, selection, placement of a packing plan (which was still "100 times" moved), selecting the right dress me busy until the end of May 2006. Although I tried for a tried and true principle to act: Minimal luggage and plan to take only half of it. Maximum financial plan and take it twice, but I still had too much luggage! In the months of April and May 2006, I came through the preparation only wenig zum Radtraining, was sich dann in den ersten Tagen negativ auswirkte.
Vorbereitung und Packen verliefen aber ohne Stress, so dass ich ruhig starten konnte - am 28.Mai 2006 mit dem Zug nach Frankfurt/Main.
Übernachtungen
Die Übernachtungen können für so eine lange Zeit natürlich nicht im Voraus geplant werden. Ich hatte lediglich fünf Anlaufpunkte mit sicheren Uebernachtungen und Unterkuenften.
- Vorbestellung in der JH in Anchorage (Alaska)
- Verwandte in Portland und Newport (Oregon/USA)
- Freund meines Sohne in San Francisco (Californien/USA)
- Freund in Quito (Ecuador); Wissenschaftler, der in unserem Institut in Rossendorf
¾ years of service.
- Children's Home in Arequipa (Peru)
Yes, all the rest had to be solved by surgery.
overview presentation on the nights su (Pictures of "statistics")
in Canada were the nights on a large number of tent sites for free, while paid in the United States had, but still much cheaper than hotel accommodation.
In Central and South America, the hotel (hostel) accommodation is recommended for four reasons:
- there are few public campgrounds and a few "spots" where you can set up his tent
- In the rainy season it rains often in the evening and at night, pretty intense
- the nights in hotels are cheap and safe
- last but not least, here (especially in Central America and South America, to Peru) is it time dark (18 clock), so you must be able to stop almost in the afternoon drive to set up the tent still in daylight and take supper. At nights in the hotel you have in the villages often get the chance to eat in the restaurant and an internet cafe visit, which was extremely important.
Also see pictures under "Statistics"
weather and climate
weather is always an element of uncertainty. We must deal with clothing and overnight stays at the 4 crossed climate zones / areas, arctic, temperate, subtropical setting, tropical.
Waterproof, breathable clothes, warm sleeping bag and clothes for freezing, and freezing temperatures and icy winds and rain are just as necessary as light clothing and sun protection for sweltering heat and tropical humidity.
I experienced 28 days with severe or long-term (19 of them in Mexico and Central America) and 51 days (including 20 in Mexico and Central America), with moderate rain. In Alaska, the high mountain regions of Peru, Bolivia and Chile as well as in the Antarctic "touch" Ushuaia dominated - almost exclusively in the Night and morning - low temperatures below freezing and snowing in the south of Tierra del Fuego in the night.
Temparturen to 45 ° C (during the day at the wheel) were on the arid Baja California (Mexico) are not uncommon and the red-hot wind was barely a slowdown. Many an evening was my clothes for wringing wet as it had been raining - but it had not rained - it was sweat that evaporates no longer in high humidity.
About the wind I'm usually a "prayer" expelled, but that was in Peru. Worse, he was in Patagonia. In three days he was there so strong that (further) driving was absolutely impossible. There were other days with very heavy wind, but sometimes - though not very often - was blowing from behind.
It used to be and can survive anything. "How?" - One wonders sometimes afterwards.
nutrition
Let's start early on. I've cooked every morning oatmeal mixed with milk powder (also available in the hotel accommodation). They were filling and formed a solid basis for the morning. Then there was cocoa (sometimes tea) and cake, bread or rolls in sufficient quantities, often even milk, yogurt and fruit, which I had bought the night before. At noon, then I ate fruit (bananas, apples), cakes, etc., fruit bars, what I had in my luggage or on the road bought. I versucht - und meist gelang es auch -, Mittag in einem Restaurant zu essen. In Nordamerika (USA) genügte das Mittagessen (Lunch), meinen Ansprüchen nicht und ich konnte mich nie so richtig damit anfreunden (Sandwiches). Das mag vor allem daran liegen, dass für die Amerikaner Mittagessen nicht die Hauptmahlzeit darstellt. Ich hab mich aber damit abgefunden und bin satt geworden.
Ab Mexiko bestand mein Mittagesssen meist aus zwei Gängen (sehr schmackhafte Suppen, Takos, Hühnchen, anderes Fleisch, Fisch). Dabei wird eine Kartoffel oft nur als Gemüsebeilage gegeben oder man bestellt sich „matched potatos“ oder „puree de papa“ (dt.: Kartoffelmus). Auf jeden Fall hatte ich in den Restaurants always a plentiful lunch and was ready for the second half of the day until evening.
Yes, but now times when there was no restaurant, what then? Amazingly, I even in the desert crossing in Peru to almost 200 km found exactly in the middle of a restaurant. There was also information from other cyclists, where you can eat. But there have been days where it was difficult einzukehren. I knew beforehand, mostly with reference to the card or other information. As I prepared my food cold enough (cuts, rolls, fruit) and I was next to the "iron reserve" is also still something to give even the luggage. At almost every night I covered myself in the villages for the Evening and the next day with a board. The Last Supper consisted of milk, tea, bread (with vegetables, butter, cheese, sausage), soup, fruit and often a large (1 liter) bottle of beer. to
was also important to always have enough petrol in the "tank" have, so that both could be cooked in the evening soup and tea and the next morning oatmeal.
The need for fluid in the hot areas was particularly great. On the bike I had mostly 3-4 liters of water. Since the water was often warm, I did it more as a reserve and go out with me in restaurants, newsstands, supermarkets milk or coke (cold!), Raves, and "purely poured. In Mexico, I was already some days on a liquid consumption of 5-7 l. And - as already mentioned - was the evening's bottle of beer (or sometimes 2 or 3 smaller) a pleasure after day only 'squishy' water, cola and milk was brought to them.
It was important when one evening at a campsite not camped or slept somewhere in the landscape that one with enough water (2-3 l) spending spree for evening and morning and still be able to cook a reserve for the first kilometer the next day to have. to
health and hygiene
On such a tour is sick, not excluded. Other food (water), heat, cold, Rain, a different climate with other fauna (insects, etc.), physical constant load are all factors that one can fast times but harm. Luckily I was spared such "ailments" on the whole.
A bubble on the left foot, which caused me considerable pain, which subsided but after medical treatment in Whitehorse (Canada) and fortunately I am not forced to cancel the tour. However, I had until the end of the tour in Argentina in the final stepping into the pedals, or while running every now and then a sharp pain between the small Fußknöchelchen, but was relieved by strong self-massage. Now everything at home is gone.
had on three consecutive days I have diarrhea, which had two causes: first, I had too much wine grapes (well washed!) In a row eating (I know though that you should Essse only peeled fruit, but what can you do when you meet laugh these fruits and you have a huge appetite for it). The next day I was almost at the "thirst" as a place where I liquid "fill up" would indeed was marked on my map, but then there was only one intersection and a house. There I was guaranteed drinking water from a garden hose and then shits. All I had but after a day of "Imodiumkapseln" (3 years on the expiration date!) Under control again.
In Bogota, I had on one evening so stabbing cramping stomach pain (its cause I still do not know) that I thought he must in the morning to go to the doctor (in my terrible images I looked forward to the operating table under the knife are because I thought he had swallowed a piece of metal from a beer can), and therefore my stay in Bogota - extended by one day - fortunately. The next morning the pain was blown away and I took advantage of the holiday (shifted "Columbus Day") to participate in "Ciclovia" a Radfahrertag in Bogota (see Colombia).
I had no seat in the nine months of discomfort.
The campgrounds in North America and the hotels / hostels in Central and South America offered in most cases, good hygienic conditions, so that I could shower almost every day, which was important especially for the seat cushions and the feet. Of course there were times two or three or four days where you did not take a shower or could not be thoroughly cleaned. But those were the exceptions. It was known then even a "Einstrahldusch" with cold water (but that was not even given the uncomfortable heat) to value highly. Then fell away and brushing the teeth, but what I am usually in the first restaurant that "ran into" I caught up.
of animals I was largely spared when one of the mosquitoes in Alaska and Canada, with little uncomfortable flying in South America (two days) apart. Here was a good rubbing with half "Mückentötolin" is limited, but after an evening hunt on these insects in the tent then you sleep undisturbed. Geckos are harmless, I had not in the tent but in the hotel rooms they ran in from time to time along the wall.
technology and pannus
(breakdown overview, see also below (Pictures of "statistics)
I the tour came with a 12-year-old bicycle frame (" Specialized Crossroads Trail LX ") new wheels (especially reinforcing spokes), new" tube "racks (front and rear) and new" Ortlieb "luggage bags (sponsored by Bike Tietz, Dresden-Pillnitz) to. My" Brooks "leather saddle I've been driving for 40 years, so we had long been accustomed to one another, ie adapted. was equipped the wheel with a "Shimano" STX RC-circuit, 3 x seven times.
after every 1,000 km I conducted an inspection of the wheel (and cleaning if required) through. And I checked all nuts and bolts are tight, bzw.Lockerheit the snakes and brake linings for wear, tension on the spokes, all bearings (bottom bracket, headset, wheels, pedals, gear wheels) for smooth operation. The chain was always (thoroughly) cleaned and oiled sparingly with a good chain oil.
front brake pads were once behind changed twice. The complete drive group (chainrings, chain, sprocket HR) was replaced after 13,800 km in Costa Rica, where I 52,42,32 to 42,32,22 (front) and also exchanged the pinion forthcoming Bergen adapted.
4 bike ceiling I've worn (3 x 13,000 km, 1 x 2,000 km). The "Schwalbe Marathon tires proved to be by far the best for such a tour, so I took a very expensive redirection of three slabs with" ups "to Panama in purchasing.
4 spokes, I have to renew the front. Once I had to adjust to the new tax rate and once the cone of the rear wheel, at the same center the HR slightly.
16 flat tires sound like a lot, but that is nearly 2,000 km on a flat tire, that is bearable. Considering this more, some were from the hoses of vulcanized valves because of poor quality and I two of the Margins was caused by negligence of itself, may be called the nine "real" flat tires (from nails or glass) as quite low.
Oh, sometimes I would forget it: The way I was in the box for the wheel to the mounting bracket for the role Dynamo (the bottom bracket) broke. I gave up the Dynamo during the tour, because I rarely went in the dark and light bike America is not "common" is.
sheared at VR-porter me two fixing screws from excessive vibration.
The leather of the saddle was through sweat and / or rain water is often depleted. I used to lack of fat leather with clear Schuhcrem, die ich kaufte; so konnte ich die Geschmeidigkeit des Leders erhalten.
Montagewerkzeuge:
Schrauben- und Imbusschlüssel für sämtliche Schrauben und Muttern (außer Steuersatzschlüssel), Speichenschlüssel, Zahnkranzabzieher, Kurbelabzieher, Reifenmontagehebel, Schraubenzieher.
Ersatzteile:
10 Speichen, Nippel, Bowdenzughülle, Bowdenzug (für Bremsen und Schaltung),
4 Ersatzschläuche, Ersatzdecken ("Schwalbe Marathon") (mindestens 12.000 km Laufleistung) nachgeschickt, Flickzeug (genügend Gummilösung, auch alter Fahrradschlauch, Unterlegmaterial), u.U. Ersatzventile, various screws, wire, chain oil.
equipment, maps, papers
Extras:
tent, ground cloth, sleeping bag (in waterproof packing bags "Ortlieb"), sleeping mat, luggage bags (front and rear, "Ortlieb") , card and document bag (Ortlieb),
digital camera, plug adapter (important!)
"Primus" universal stove with fuel pump (Sweden) (never failed), kl. Fuel bottle (metal), aluminum pot, pan, cups, cutlery, add. sharp big knife, wooden spoon (very important, zum Umrühren, damit die Haferflocken nicht anbrennen), Holzbrett, Plasteboxen für Lebensmittel, 2 Wischtücher, 2 Trinkflaschen am Rad
Kleidung:
2 Radhosen, 2 Radtrikots (lang und kurz), wasser dichte , atmungsaktive, reissfeste, warme Regenkleidung ("North-ICE"), dünne regendichte Jacke, Radsandalen mit Klicksystem, leichte Slipps, 1 T-Shirt, 1 Hemd, 1 leichte Jacke, 1 Kombihose (kurz/lang), Radhandschuhe (auch dicke warme Fingerhandschuhe), Regengamaschen, 1 pair of socks, at least 1 pair of thick socks, handkerchiefs (possibly with 4 nodes as sun protection for the head)
hygiene items including:
wash and dentifrice, 2 towels, washcloth, Nassrasierzeug, various personal care products, sunscreen
aid kit [ Others lot paving, (sterile) dressings, anti-insect spray or ointment];! various sewing kit, large, sharp scissors (for cutting rubber hose and cutting all types packaging)
Maps:
16 maps (one per country, "travel know-how") (further Karten bei Bedarf vor Ort kaufen).
Papiere:
Auslandsreiseversicherung ISIS (notwendig, da andere Versicherungen nur bis 6 Monate gültig sind). Impfausweise, ist aber nirgends obligatorisch.
Erfolgt kein Rückflug von den USA aus, ist der Nachweis des Rückflugtickets von einem anderen Land nach Europa ausreichend. Für die USA empfiehlt sich bei einem Aufenthalt über 3 Monate ein 10 Jahresvisum (Antrag bei der amerikan. Botschaft in Berlin 85 €).
Ansonsten sind - außer dem Reisepass - keine Papiere für einen Grenzübertritt notwendig. Vor einigen Jahren war noch für jedes Land ein Einreisevisum erforderlich - welch ein Aufwand ! Now fill it out at every border crossing a double slip of paper with a get (and must give him upon departure), the data from the other are recorded in the computer.
money
The cheapest payment by credit card. Cash withdrawals of small amounts of a credit or debit card should be avoided, since in addition to a percentage fee (0.85% and 1.85%), regardless of the amount obtained a basic fee (5 € and 4.50 €). Cash withdrawal possible only once a high amount in each country. U.S. dollars are a popular means of payment and you can cash withdrawals with the above mentioned cards, the amount either to cash in local currency or mostly in U.S. dollars, although for the recalculation again incurred a small loss. remaining money can almost always on the border with a bank or flying money changers (almost always serious!), But also to exchange with some loss. Therefore use up possible all the money back and exchanging only small (round) residues.
Although very safe - but at redemption with a large amount of time (sometimes with additional fees) associated - are traveler's checks, which can also be redeemed only at a few points of acceptance. Not recommended.
My connection to the home
The existence of the internet is now the link "home" much, much easier than it was several years ago. Through the web-diary were all that were interested, be informed about how I was doing, where I was, did I have problems if I had set out in my internet-TB. In addition, facilitated the e-mail communication traffic significantly. I was thus never alone, but felt at any time "at home" (and I do not mean just my house) which - thanks to technology. I have not a single postcard or letter writing.
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| Statistisc |
Zum Betrachten der statistischen Angaben auf obiges Bild mit der linken Maustaste doppelklicken. Es erscheinen alle Übersichtstabellen in dieser Größe. Sie können zur Vergrößerung einzeln angeklickt und im Großformat angesehen werden.
Will man zum internet-Tagebuch zurück, ganz oben links auf den grünen Pfeil nach links klicken.
Auswertung
Alle, die mein internet-TB gelesen haben, waren natürlich immer bestens informiert. Die neuesten Nachrichten standen gleich obenan und da waren auch die neusten Bilder zu sehen (zumindest nach Panama, als ich die Bildereingabe beherrschte). Doch nach der Tour war diese Form nicht mehr geeignet, jemanden etwas darüber mitzuteilen.
Ich hab nun das TB in eine gut lesbare Form umgestaltet, so dass man auch von oben nach unten lesen (2.330 Zeilen ) und die entsprechenden Bilder (738 Fotos, 5 Karten, 16 Flaggen, 4 Statistikseiten) auf insgesamt 48 Seiten und in 11 Bilderblöcken dazu anschauen kann (nicht mehr in so einem Durcheinander wie ursprünglich). Jetzt macht es wohl Spaß - wenn man Time has - to get in the TB once more to heart.
I also wrote a detailed diary, where each day is documented. (Interested parties can - on request by e-mail attachments - even from country to country). From the approximately 3,000 photos, I have the best and most relevant selected and it compiled several slide shows that I have demonstrated on several occasions and tells also about the most interesting stories and encounters .
The dates for this are listed below. For more information from me on e-mail inquiry
directly (see first page) or via < daccordi@t-online.de >.
slide shows
were a total of 14 slide shows "with the bike 26,000 km from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego" held:- Wednesday, 07 November 2007, ROK 240 in Rossendorf (1 Lecture)
- Thursday, 15 November 2007 Bike Tietz, Dresden-Pillnitz (Part I)
- Thursday, 22 November 2007 Bike Tietz, Dresden-Pillnitz (Part II)
- Wednesday 05 December 2007, travel bar, Dresden / Neustadt
- Wednesday, 09 January 2008, Rossendorf (2nd Lecture)
- Monday, 14 January 2008, TU Dresden
- Wednesday, 16 January 2008, Dresden Cotta, senior group of trade union Verdi
- Thursday, 17 January 2008 Freital, self-help group heart attack
- Thursday, 24 January 2008 Hospital Dresden Friedrichstadt, Dresden cavers
- Wednesday, 13 February 2008, Mainz, children's charity HHN
- Thursday, 25 September 2008, 19.30 clock, Dresden-Pillnitz Platanenweg 3, "same meeting"
- Mittwoch, 05. November 2008, 14.30 Uhr, Volkssolidarität, Dresden-Laubegast
- Freitag, 09. Januar 2009, 19.30 Uhr, ADFC, Umweltzentrum, Schützengasse 18, 01067 Dresden
Sämtliche Einnahmen,Spenden,Honorare,Zuwendungen in einer Gesamthöhe von bisher 2.100,- € wurden in vollem Umfang für das Kinderhaus in Arequipa (Peru) und ein Fahrradprojekt in Ruanda überwiesen.
- Montag, 09.November 2009, 14.30 Uhr, Seniorenbetreuung Dresdner Sparkassen, Dresden Güntzplatz 5
- Thursday, 26 November 2009, 19.00 clock Canoeing Association, Dresden Tolkewitzer Str 79, 01277 Dresden
I think like further talks. If interested, please contact me via e-mail daccordi@t-online.de < >
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