Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Bicycles > Overland Bicycle Travel
malnourishment on the long tour malnourishment on the long tour
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Overland Bicycle Travel Overlanding questions for two wheels, no motor!
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10 Jun 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
malnourishment on the long tour
Do any of the long distance touring cyclists out there suffer from the effects of malnourishment on your trips? Last year I did a 2,500 mile, four month tour of SE Asia and found travelling through rural Vietnam and Laos hard work due to a lack of nutritous food, noodle soup and bananas being the only thing available in some places. Apart from the loss of what little fat I had to start with the other effects were a deterioration of my eyesight and a weak bladder, both conditions got better a few weeks after getting home and eating some good food.
I would be interested in hearing of other people's experiences and how they deal with the problem on very long trips.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 13 Jul 2012
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Humberston
Posts: 51
When my wife and I did a 6 month 5500 trip around India and Nepal we both lost a couple of stone by the end of the trip. We lost most in the south where found the food too spicey but basically we ate in the busiest cafes. We always avoided meat and bought bottled water and we never ailed at all. On other trips I have made to India I have gone down with Dehli Belly when eating western food prepared by the locals. I think it's always best to eat what and where the locals do.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 22 Sep 2014
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 13
Interesting question..
My wife and I just cycled from Canada to Panama and we definitely suffered.
We were eating a vegan diet at the time, and avoided spending money like our lives depended on it, so surely this had some sort of effect on our bodies.
But my wife in particular suffered throughout the trip, which is part of the reason we gave our bicycles away at the end of the trip.
We found her immune system was effected massively and she had a lot of health problems by the end. All good now, but it made for some difficult times. It´s just so difficult to eat enough food during the day to maintain the level of energy output, as I´m sure you know only too well.
I guess it´s such a huge tax on the body, which is why cyclists always seem to sport the most sought after body types and exude a picture of health :P
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 3 Oct 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Central Coast NSW Australia
Posts: 21
wish I had a soughtafter body - I've been pushing my 'treddly' around for about 4 months and have'nt lost a bit of fat....what's the secret? (hope its not starving yourself in the process)
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 3 Oct 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 21
I've put weight on in Africa, about a stone(14lb). I used to ride fast, touring is not fast. To get calories I ate lots of junk alongside balanced meals, too much by the look of it.


Gary
www.longbikeride.co.uk
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Tuk Tuk Tour lisajanegibson Trip Paperwork 0 7 Sep 2010 17:31
First tour - where should we go? garthunkle Europe 23 2 Apr 2009 03:17
Do you think long-tour bike riders are treated different than other travellers? Why? Dodgydago Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 4 2 Dec 2008 12:59
Food whilst on a long tour zakkwylde Route Planning 3 30 Nov 2004 18:01
Preparing for the long tour AliBaba BMW Tech 12 5 Nov 2002 23:43

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 05:22.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top