The end of overlanding
 

Do you think the end of Overlanding has arrived, seriously? My first trip, UK to India in 31 days, August 1995, followed by UK to Timbuktu in 16 days in 2006, plus a number of other trips, seem such a distant memory. I am 58 yrs of age, 59 in May 2022. I originally planned to ride from the UK to Capetown when I turned 55, three years ago. Unfortunately, my mum was diagnosed with advanced cancer, therefore, meaning I didn't feel I could abandon her to pursue my dream. Fast forward to now, I can see no end to this covid nonsense, which, to me, means, in my lifetime, the end to overland travel. The sad thing now, is, that I am now in a position, financially, to spend three to four months travelling, rather than, doing such journeys in insane times, as I have previously done. Is this the end? Seriously, when do you think riding from England to Capetown will be viable again?

Honestly, no.

There are plenty of journeys being undertaken, even now.



Rachel

I don’t. Covid is sure dragging on but we’ll get through it.

I feel your pain though; I cancelled a TAT trip in 2020 and have December 2021 off so I can travel (was due in South Africa next week, now cancelled).

Pretty defeatist question. So it might be a bit tougher to overland in the coming years but since when have real overlanders been scared of a challenge? Harden up dude.

Based on other diseases, Covid will become a bad and fading dream. Lots of diseases seemed to be unending--polio, chicken and small pox, bubonic plague. We have ways to control all of the above,and we are close to solving the problem of covid. The Spanish Flu killed 20 million then basically disappeared because everyone who could catch it got it. There will remain places around the world where covid/polio will exist for a long time, but we will know where they are and smart folks will avoid them. There will probably be a bulletin board on HU letting you where it is no go. Hang in there.

There are certainly more limitation to overlanding travels now because of Covid, which is quite understandable. And this might last quite some time, how long nobody knows for sure for the moment.

But as it goes in the song «when one door closes many more opens»

Look at Itchy Boots, she has done remarkable overland travelling even during this pandemic, and she has documented it very welll too.

No - its not the end of overlanding but theres a time for everything….

Coiled Spring.....
 

A valid question for many including myself. The mere fact you have used this forum for contact and raise this topic of concern indicates you have an intrepid soul with wanderlust like the rest of us. I've often of late thought 'have I missed the boat' here with travel and will this frigging pandemic drag out and corrupt my already massively delayed 'setoff' time even further...!!
I myself was due to set off last year 2020 to do the TCAT (Flights payed for after 3 years of planning etc) but Covid had different idea's. I've built two bikes, one solo and one for pillion riding. I have £30k wrapped up and seven years of building them just sitting there waiting for things to lift. At 58 almost 59 I am still able to hold my own with all the younger hotshots coming through the ranks in my field of work BUT I can realistically see the end of that approaching.
Yes folk are travelling still but lets be realistic about the monumental added protocol involved to get through borders, tests, paperwork, cost, risk, hassle and time scale. It's a massive head fcuk and add to it this new variant and all the restrictions that will follow..??? There will be a point in time where the 'wait' can no longer be tolerated and you will, like all of us here who are 'waiting' take action to implement your plan. It's a nightmare, totally, it really is......

On the other hand, it might be more of a throwback--in terms of difficulty, at least--to the way it was in the rather recent past, before easy air travel, plentiful global shipping, and paved roads everywhere you turn.

My first extended travel outside North America was less than 30 years ago, and in places it was HARD. My shift to motorcycling came just a brief decade and a half ago because I was ready for something easier....and indeed, overland motorcycling is mostly pretty easy, all things being relative.

That doesn't mean there are not difficulties to be found, if unlucky or prone to searching them out; it just means that yeah, travel's going to be somewhat more awkward, unpredictable, expensive, and maybe even fundamentally *unfair* for a while. But it's STILL not going to be as harsh as some of the things I've done in my life, and maybe you have too.

All IMHO, of course, and subject to drastic revision if circumstances dictate.

Mark

In the past 4 months I have travelled through 15 countries. (With my bike) The question just seems absurd to me...

As for Africa, I think it will be possible again in 1-2 years, once we have standardised the vaccines.

In a word - No...!!!!

I think politics, extreme ideologies and poor governance poses a bigger threat to overland travel but even despots, corrupt politicians and ideological bullies don't last forever. I'm planning right now for a big trip, I might have to make some adjustments before or during my journey but Covid won't stop it.

No.

Lots of people (the op excepted) look for excuses why they can't do things, including overland travel. There'll always be a way to travel by m/c, possibly requiring "creative means"/ initiative.

Creative means... sorted
 

Nah! just upgrade your 'wheels';)

p.s never ask a starfish for directions! and yes, I'm having a very busy day converting oxygen into carbon dioxide.
Never underestimate the therapeutic power of flying and listening to loud music!
Life's a :Beach:

Well, that will really start the conspiracy nuts off if you turn up in that - so worth the investment for that alone. Also, do you still need a carnet for a flying saucer?

This question has been raised before and probably will be again.

While here in the HuBB it may seem that not many people are travelling, elsewhere in the online Overlanding communities people have been travelling all the way through the pandemic. Some experienced travellers and some beginners. Plans have needed to be flexible and some became involuntary residents during various lockdowns but travel has continued and will in the future

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to reply. It's interesting that MEZ is the same age as me, and describes how I feel far more eloquently than I have done. I, like others, have always been restricted by time (UK to India in less than four weeks, UK to Timbuktu in just over two weeks!!) Someone mentioned itchy feet, she is lucky not to be limited by time. Unfortunately, most of us are. Anyway, thanks for replying.