I like John993's idea of taking it in bits and pieces. Who knows? Maybe you'll hate traveling on a bike? ... it certainly does not suit everyone and it's not all Roses and Rainbows.

Have you traveled outside the UK before? (by any means, not just by bike)
Some have a vision of travel ... then get out there and realize it's pretty hard work.

I'd start with the easy stuff. Over to France, down through Spain, maybe Portugal. Ferry over to Morocco ... spend a week or so exploring around. That's a good intro.

The trick in Europe is living/traveling cheap (not that easy), the trick in Morocco is not getting lost and not getting dead. I'd team up with a rider or two if going into remote places. More fun too with a few mates.

Best to go somewhere beautiful where you speak the language or can pick up a few words to survive. Spanish, French and Erdu will work to start.

Once you start a bike shop you'll be prisoner to it for at least 5 years ... if you can even make a go of it. Not an easy trade. Just ask Touring Ted. You not only have to be a mechanical genius and a Saint ... you have to be a phycologist and divorce counselor as well.

All the best!

PS: I dropped out of Uni at about your age, worked a bit, saved some money and took off ... headed SOUTH into Latin America. Spent the next 7 years traveling ... on but mostly off bikes. Be careful what you wish for.

Speaking from my own personal experience; live life a bit backwards. I am currently 64 and we have a 10 year old and are getting more foster kids to take care of. Back when I was in my 20's I went to the nurnburgring elephant rally, rode from the states to alaska in 1971 when it was an adventure, rode the Dempster highway when it first opened, several trips to mexico, england, france, spain and germany. I have ridden the width of canada and a lot of the USA and currently live in a beautiful part of the states with lots of great riding. I have worked in bike shops most of my life and now have a simple shop out in the garage that I turn more work down than i take in.
Go do it. You can always have a shop or a house or kids later on but a youth full body and lack of encumbrances are fleeting things.

OK then, I'll say it out loud................. "DON'T DO IT" Ben

Send me all ya money & I'll let ya know how it went

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My memory is becoming that good, I should be able to organise my own surprise party soon

Hi everyone! thank you for your replies!

Well I have made my decision after bit more talking to family and bit of encouragement from you folks, I have decided to go!

So far I have decided I will be leaving on the 18th of March 2015 (exactly 18 months after I was hit by a car), I will go through Europe visiting a few places (If I really hate it for some reason or hate the bike it gives me chance to head back) , then head to Belarus (would like to visit the site in the forest where all those people lived during WW2) then head in to Russia (maybe visit Red Square) on towards Kaz through Kaz, back in to Russia across to Mongolia, to UB then meet up with others and head down through China (trying to find groups for this) to Laos, then Thailand/Laos/Cambodia (where ever feels right at the time), then down Malaysia, Indonesia, Timor, over to Darwin (new carnet de passage around this point) then spend year in Aus (working holiday visa) then see how I feel and how poor I am!

So sorry Bucket1960 but Ill let you know how it goes

As I only have about 3 months to get ready ANY advice on this stuff will be appreciated! Im off to get my passport renewal for tomorrow as that runs out in August so thats the first bit of paper work to sort!

I wouldn't say I have any experience traveling outside the uk, I have been on holiday abroad to resorts with family and have since I was about 13/14 disappeared off on my own on the local transport exploring (makes me question my dads attitude to parenting ) the local area out of the resort as best I could (cracking morning when I was 15 fishing with a bloke who I could speak the same language as off a jetty) and I have travelled various parts of the uk on my bikes in all parts of the year (inc lake district in the snow ) Unfortunately all my biking mates are only interested in ridding the same old roads to the beach or matlock bath apart from one friend who is still on L plates so he cant leave uk! So it will be a big leap for me but that's why a little while will be Europe gives me chance to get more used to it, what ever happens it will be a experience!

I warned you Ben just send me half then
Great decision & now let the fun begin.
I firmly believe that the excitement is in the planning of an adventure also

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My memory is becoming that good, I should be able to organise my own surprise party soon

Hahaha I think I might hang on to it all get my self few more tanks of fuel then :P The planning stage is exciting but also bit scary makes me laugh though as when I chat with my best mate Im like yeah need to get visa for russia Belarus Mongolia sort out china and my mate keeps asking about very minor stuff like how you going to cook food. Im trying to keep my plan very flexible as want it to be a trip rather than a set tour and since my only time constraint other than visas is I have promised my mother I would be in home for my 30th birthday that gives me 4 years! Just think I need a bit of a route through Country's to work out how long roughly.

Wow how fun to plan and execute such an adventure.. I wish I was coming with,,,

Excellent decision I'm sure you will look back on this and be extremely happy for taking the leap..

If you need any help on the west Coast of Canada if an when - PM me.. I'm sure there will be lots of support within HU Family too..

Good Luck Ben !!

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Young riders pick a destination and go... Old riders pick a direction and go...