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is there such a thing as over planning?? is there such a thing as over planning??
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Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by Brad-Houghton, of Parque Nacional Eduardo Avaroa, Bolivia

Destination ANYWHERE...
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Photo by Brad-Houghton,
The Stone Tree,
Reserva Nacional de
Fauna Andina Eduardo Avaroa
(Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna
National Reserve)
Bolivia



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  #1  
Old 20 Jan 2008
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is there such a thing as over planning??
hi all

next year im going to ride back to england from aussie, boat to indonesia, up to laos fly to bangladesh, nepal, india, stans, across the caspian,(if the boat feels like leaving when i get there!!) into europe, home! just like that ish,
my question to you is, is there such a thing as over planning?? yes there are a few things that you need before you leave, visa's, carnet, insurance, but apart from the things to get you into the country why is it so important to find everything about the country before you get to it? surely isn't part of the adventure not knowing what is around the corner?? and if you want a idea of whats to come why not just ask the locals when you get there?
i know there are a few extreams like desert, moutain or jungle riding where you need to do a bit of reaserch, please let me know what you think and if anyone has just up and left how you got on? cheers

trev
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  #2  
Old 20 Jan 2008
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I know a guy that has planed trip of 2,000 miles or so for 3 years now. A trip with no paper work or any thing. Hes got places to stop at places to see places to eat at, places for gas, places to pee. I gust get some time off and go be he likes the planning. once you get get all the little bits of paper the governments like to collect Id gust go, get some maps to see when your lost, and go. If its hot go early in the morning dont use a goose down parka, hay you can gust get some stuf from a shop in the area. I do that. Smiles go along way point at what you want or where you want to go.

lets see bring water, stay dry, dont forget socks, stop and take pics a-lot.
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  #3  
Old 20 Jan 2008
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Hi

I will be leaving 'sometime' after June, still not planned that far. I know I am flying to the States to start with, not sure which end, depends on the weather there. I have a vague plan, I know I want to see some people I know via interent, there are some must see sights, but mainly just cruise around and have a decko. If I bump into someone who says you should check this out, well why not, it may be great, it may not, but that is the travel experience.

I have a few years to do it and have absolute no interest in a timetable, visas, carnets, weather excepted of course.

One thing I would do and that is make sure that the countries you visit are not having 'internal political problems', this could be a problem, other than that, go with the flow.

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Old 20 Jan 2008
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Nice one dude - sounds like an amazing run.

I'm one of these people that like to plan, but I think that's because I enjoy it almost as much as being out on the road.

I like searching for the maps, researching routes, reading about the history, working out what to do if something goes wrong. For me the time planning the trip is as much a part of it as the actual riding.

Having said all that the planning time on each trip gets shorter and shorter, I know what kit I need now, I know where to get awkward maps from, I know how to deal with difficult situations - but the point is each time it's different and requires a different amount of thought and prep.

TBH I'd be amazed if I manage to look at half the things I've 'planned', but I still got to sit here at the computer, or in Stanfords for months before departure and 'plan' my journey (read day-dream). For me, it extends the life of the trip - but then I only get to go away for three weeks each year. I suspect things would be different if I was going to be away for substantially longer.
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Old 20 Jan 2008
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Hi I think myself and Martyn cover this a few weeks ago, too much planning leads to inflexability so be fluid in your route, ask questions of the people you meet on the road about attractions conditions ect, take your time and above all have a safe enjoyable journey.

Lee
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Old 20 Jan 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by juddadredd View Post
too much planning leads to inflexability
Lee
I don't think I necessarily agree with that.

Being fluid on your route is great, you have to be. But consider that if you know what is ahead, or you know more about the history of a location, then that frees you up to be more flexible, because you have more knowledge.

I find myself arguing for over-planning, which is not what I intend, merely that the pursuit of knowledge, the pursuit of understanding, is gained as much from research before your trip as it does during your trip.

Serendipity is at the heart of discovery, but sometimes you need to have planned to put yourself in a position where that can happen. Possibly.

m
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  #7  
Old 20 Jan 2008
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yep!
Quote:
Originally Posted by juddadredd View Post
Hi I think myself and Martyn cover this a few weeks ago, too much planning leads to inflexability so be fluid in your route, ask questions of the people you meet on the road about attractions conditions ect, take your time and above all have a safe enjoyable journey.

Lee
Yep lee the guy mentioned above who has been planning a trip of 2,000 miles for 3 years! I bet the first bit of a deviation or road closed and hes gonna have to turn back home cos its ruined his plans!

some of the best rides/ trips/ adventures I have ever had were ones that i had threw the planning away on!, you know the kind of thing, " Hhmmmm... I wonder where THAT road leads to? I have passed it a few times now and maybe should find out!"
Consequently I have discovered "new" roads, great places to Eat, new friends and have discovered sometimes more about Myself than the land around me.
Plans are great as a start, or if you have a fixed goal in mind.. but you MUST be prepared to be Flexible...... Im sure if anyone posed the same questions to Simon ( 125cc in south america) Lorraine ( on a mission from Dog) or Gatogato ( Geoff, was lost in the Dariam Gap) or even the founders of this site Grant & Susan Johnson, they would all say the same thing: BE FLEXIBLE!


Martyn
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