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.

Fair play mate. And, yes, I think you may be right, in that I need to harden up. Are you a veteran of overland expeditions, yourself? I am genuinely interested in your experiences.

Thanks, Chris. As you say, creative means!!

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5i1GymXuO...-vanlife-2.jpg

Personally I do a lot more of Overlanding since the pandemic situation did start.

Mostly because it is something we can do without special restrictions like "vaccinated and tested" or so called 2g+ or other local limitations like meetup with people out of just "2 households".

Yes, it isnt a transafrica nor the panamericana nor the planned longterm silkroad journey we did wanted to start in 2021. But we do a lot of microadventures, trips for 1-2-3 nights, always with our loved overlanding car, campfire and cooking our own food.

As we all can see in the web - more spontaneous travellers was able to start their journey at 2021, I did follow travellers on their transafrica over the west (!), travellers who was able to enter Russia, Lybia and Iran.

My fiancée and i both work for different employers and need a lead time to get out of our commitments - but it was possible to start at least a transsibiria easily at 2021.

All who means they want to start at 2022 -we all know from the past that there is a timeframe between Jun-August where the (c)ovid situation is more relaxed.

Probably it makes sence to do overlanding more intense and with less milage, travelling less countrys and use less border crossings.

Like as example doing the blue transibiria line instead the red silkroad options - for those who have to eat miles to get their fullfillment...

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IA6msFpLR...ng-vanlife.jpg

Overlanding means not to do usual package tourism stuff, is about nature, landscape, about discovering remote areas - what is still possible.

For Overlanding in Germany or Turkey or Iran in all beautiful details and areas you need months, similar to any country in that size, to bring an example

There it dosnt hurt when you have todo an PCR Test even if you are triple vaccinated to visit a restaurant - you can live the overlanding live with cooking your own meal.

Those who decide to stay at home, dont try to find apologies for yourself. It was still a decision....

Surfy

Errr Surfy...
 

I am very sad to see that you don't subscribe to 'Leave no Trace'...

and why is your snorkel pointing the wrong way?

Attachment 25560

You are the one who did it wrong with the snorkel. But dont be sad. 60% of the swiss cars with a snorkel did (or had too do) the same mistake.

The Snorkel leads in Switzerland into the direction that the MFK/TÜV wants it.

In Switzerland you see them 40% like showed above 60% had them with the head looking backwards. Changing the city can lead to another direction.

But: Like showed it is the correct way to fit a snorkel.

Probably you may think you know it better - but I would say the correct setting should be defined by the manufacturer:

https://www.the4wdshed.com/assets/fi...ta-install.pdf or too https://www.safari4x4.com.au/

If you still feels unsafe about - why you dont use a cyclon head? A Cyclon head on top of the snorkel is harder to fit it the wrong way.

Leave no trace? Why do you point to the fire at the picture? The iPad at the ground is probably more something to discuss than the fire itself? :innocent:

Surfy

Maybe I missed something but for most people "Leave No Trace" is self explanatory"

The ipad isn't likely to leave an impression on the ground but alas, your unnecessary large fire will.

@TheWarden: Obviously not that particular Swiss person!

@Surfy
Yes, I do have a cyclonic which I fit for high dust areas (Africa mostly)
Rear facing snorkel for times when heavy rains, water crossings and snowfall (don't you get any of that in die Schweiz?) are likely- seasonal changes means you adjust the direction of the head.


Next, you'll be telling us you absolutely cannot overland without a V8 ...:clown:

I thought that too, but now I`m unshure. bier

Puhh, really - do we like this style of discussion?

But back to the snorkel: I didnt turn them, not at rain, not at water crossings.

Surfy

The wrong way? Almost all snorkels I have seen are placed like that.

In my opinion it doesn´t matter how much a mess it is at someones campsite. The important thing is how the place looks like when they leave the place. I thought that was the meaning of leave no trace, but I could be wrong, english is not my mother tongue.

I don´t want to point this thread in another direction but the term ¨overlanding¨ is something that can be discussed for long times. Personally I wouldn´t call extended weekend trips or even ¨normal¨ holiday trips overlanding. But If someone wants to discuss this, please make another thread.

To the OP´s question:
I don´t think it´s the end. I think the time has come that the goverments stop panicking and find a way to live with this disease like we live with other diseases. Then the borders will open again. Remember the WHO didn´t advice border closures, they even said closing borders did not work in former pandemics and won´t work in this one either.


Rögnvaldur

Please, no, not another discussion on who's a 'real' overlander. They always end up as:

I overland on tough hidden trails that only the locals know, and live on tree bark

You do two day trips to tourist beaches and live on alcohol and ice cream

He rides his GS to Starbucks and comes home with a caffeine headache.

As for covid and its consequences marking the end of 'overlanding'; perleeeze - the words 'get a grip + some patience' come to mind.

At the start of 2020 when I decided to postpone my trans-Asia trip to 2022 people were telling me to "just go". Well if lockdown hadn't got me the virus could have, pre vaccination, so I'm glad I ignored that advice. I still want to go in 2022, and being fully vaccinated I'm reasonably confident of my health, but the border crossing and potential lockdown issues in various countries make me wonder if it still isn't more trouble then it's worth. I certainly don't want to blast across in a couple of months or shorten the trip, that defeats the object of the exercise. And sadly at this moment I can't see 2022 being very different from this year. But I do think that sooner or later the virus and various political instability issues along the way will improve... just wish I knew when.

I don`t see any end of overlanding for the future but I don`t have a clue when this future will take part. Maybe when science will be able to respond detailed to the unanswered question of the expiration date of the term "being fully vaccinated".

Sadly this question is actual truth because having 2 shots and a booster jab are nothing more than a nice to have but still without any evidence of a vaccination protection against Omicron.

In July 2021, long time before Omicron was found, german Robert Koch Institute officially stated that booster jabs against Delta will be necessary in autumn/winter to reach a valid period of vaccination protection.

Regardless how the actual virus variant is named it is still the same problem for me: I know I have a time limited protection against a severe course of the disease with Delta. This and all unknown about Omicron will be my first handicap and my main reason for running into other problems when I start overlanding now or in the next 6 months.

So some months more time for me to dream on and to enjoy the deep hidden wisdom of the HUBB. :yes:

I'm sitting in Turkey having just driven from the UK across Europe (Netherlands - Germany - Austria - Hungary - Serbia - Bulgaria - Turkey) in a few days. I had to show a covid negative lab test to get on the ferry off Brexit Island, since landing in Hook of Holland not a single person at any border has asked for anything related to covid.

In the coming weeks I plan to cross into Iran and then loop back through the Middle East and eventually back to Turkey. All borders in the region are currently open (from a covid point of view, the Turkey - Syria border for example remains closed due to conflict).

To take your two trips that you mention so far as examples, I'm not sure if you could make it to India right now, but I suspect the Iran - Pakistan border is open. And Pakistan is far nicer to travel in than India in my opinion (having spent several months in India and a year in Pakistan). You couldn't get to Timbuktu, but then you couldn't do that before covid due to the insurgency there.

SE Asia is still off the radar, but then the Burmese coup will probably see the border closed for some time so that is not entirely due to covid from an overlanding point of view. Russia and Kazakhstan are closed which cuts off much of central Asia and Mongolia - that is a big loss in my opinion but it will open up sooner or later again.

Africa is closed on the east side due to conflict, nothing to do with covid (directly at least). West side I think has recently reopened, at least as far as Sengal I believe but Im not keeping much of an eye on it.

Americas I think are open, if that is of interest to you.

So in short I think covid has currently fairly little direct influence on most parts of the world.

Are you sure you are not looking for an excuse not to do the trip? If the time is right, just go.

EO