I know this is an extremely general question but how long would it take to do a RTW – say at a moderate pace, across Canada, Europe, Russia; including shipping (by air) from the East Coast of Canada and then from Vald. too Korea and to the West coast of Canada. Also including the time it takes to get through customs etc. In short what’s the fastest it could be done (without busting your balls). Also again from an extremely general perspective what might all this cost – say camping 50% of the time and eating cheap. (bike not included)

Thanks

My guess: At least one year, probbely two.

Good luck.

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First, I have never done RTW trip, long or short. My idea about RTW trip is long trip that basically goes through most continents.

However, the route you propose is basically minimal route that many call RTW. I have read reports this has been done in about 3 months. Long Way Round did similar trip (plus KZ and Mongolia, minus Korea), how long it took for them? Was it even less?

In my view this is not real RTW trip, because often total mileage is much less that circumference of the Earth! Yes, such quick trips can be done so you can later tell you have done RTW. But why not just relax and do one continent at time, when you have less time.

Not sure if you are interested but to see definition of true circumnavigation, look here:

AdventureStats - by Explorersweb

The reason I brought this up is because I think people use term RTW way too loosely. It is very big difference if you do true circumnavigation or just short round above 45 degrees of latitude, so calling latter a RTW does not do any justice to those who have done real RTW.

CTB-

First off, I understand that one can have their own interpretation of a RTW trip. The circumfrence of the globe is just shy of 25k and while the trip you mentioned is not technically around the "fattest" part of the globe it is very much indeed a RTW trip.

I completed a very similiar trip to what you mentioned last year and rode almost 23k over the course of 3 and 1/2 months. Some might say thats quick, some might drop their jaw when you say you split for over 3 months. Depends on who you talk to right????

I went from Japan to Vlad, west through Siberia, Mongolia, then eventually south to Turkey and up the adriatic, through Europe, Ireland Scotland and back to Canada.

I have also done done Colorado to Patagonia 2 years before that and while it was not the same trip, it was part of one great journy to see the world. What im getting at is that I think it suffices to say there are more then one way to do a RTW trip. It does not have to be continuous, do the parts you can when you can and keep the dream alive as you go back to work family, or whatever brings you home.

The route you mentioned is a "common" one for several reasons. Right now the reasons include the extreme difficulty of getting into China with a bike. If you wanted to go due west from Vlad... and getting through Afganistan, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq etc if you wish to ride further south through SE asia and India.

I did not bring much money (because i dont have much money) and was able to get the trip done for under 10k usd. Not including my bike, parts, gear etc, that I already had. I camped ALOT, ate cheap, was stingy with my money but it was great......

Dont forget that there is also a realitivly small weather window to get through Siberia and eastern Russia. You cant really spend 5 months in that part of the world with out running into snow, flooded rivers etc at some point.

I am more then happy to give you advice, recomendations, anything at all, if you get closer to making it happen. My only advice right now would be to just do it. Not to sound like a nike ad but its true. You will not regret it i promise that.

my email is jbradshaw6@yahoo.com is you have questions feel free to send me a line.

Interesting – I didn’t think I’d stumble into a debate, so to speak, about what does and doesn’t constitute a RTW, nevertheless Rebaseaonu’s point is well taken. For me it’s more about getting to a part of the world I haven’t been to before and whether or not it’s called a RTW is irrelevant.

But I also wonder if going through Russia simply because I haven’t been there before is a good decision given that there are so many other spectacular places in the world – India for one. I often ask myself if going back to a place I really enjoyed wouldn’t be better. Maybe someone can wade into the thread and offer their views on traveling through Russia.

Thanks boondoggle for the info. That’s about what I figured. I’m assuming that including Air freight?

we (husband and I) decided to 'do' a RTW - take 2 years out. However, here we are 6 years on and still only half-way through....

We thought that -after 2 years- if we hadnt quenched our thirst for travel we may as well continue. We had 'given up' all that we had anyway- so why not continue.

I suppose the real answer to how long? depends on what you feel when you enter a country. Do you feel satisfied with the time you've spent there or do you want to have more time?

What sacrifices are you making to do this trip? What I mean is...are you taking a sabatical or giving up the job completely? Renting out your home or selling it? Leaving a loved one at home? All of these will determine just how much time you will eventually be away on your RTW.
Yes..of course money comes into it...but when you havent got much to start with it doesnt seem to be that much of a problem!

sorry if all this sounds a bit flippant....mindsets seem to change once you get on the road.

hope you have a great ride...

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www.2ridetheworld.com

Actually I must apologize that I may have tendency to troll/flame.
While it would be nice to discuss what is RTW and what is not, it was not nice of me to jump into your discussion with this. But I'm aware of the situation and will try to control myself better in the future.

The definition does not matter. Once you spend a few month roaming around a handful of countries on the bike, you'll be "bitten" by the travel virus for the rest of your life. The additional trips and additional memories are "RTW" enough for most of us.

I only made it "half way" from Europe to Cambodia, but in the back of my mind I'm already planning the North America to South America leg, the trips in Australia and New Zealand etc. Haven't quite figured out what side I'll go up or down Africa.

It's a not a line on a map, that's for sure.

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