Wandering CrankWandering Crank

Biking the World one crank at a time

Preparation – The Why and How(ish)

by Nathan Molyneaux on category

This will be the first in a set of blogs about how I started and went about planning.

Why or I want to?

Before even setting off people kept asking Why?  Like this is the most important question.  I do wonder if we have been socially engineered to always question with why and not just accept people like to do things.  Personally I always wanted to travel, especially after I made the decision to live in Denmark for a time.  I guess the answer is more because I want to.

I would love to say that I had the courage to step out the door and set off. But with a fear of failure, running out of money (not such a great past with control) and generally not confident, I would be lucky if I left the house let alone travelled.

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Denmark… how I have missed you

by Nathan Molyneaux on category

I am afraid to say my journey North from Bremen wasn’t much to write about.  I got soaked (thank you to the regular thunder storms), battled headwinds and a countryside that was highly cultivated and very little to look at.

But I managed 4 days through it and descended upon the sleepy little Danish village of Rudbøl.  Loneliness started creeping up on me, this is normal in solo travel and not the first time it hits.  However, experience has taught me it does not last long and on arrival it was nice to see other cycle-tourists.

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Wild camping mornings can give some beautiful sunrises.

First tastes of cycling in Germany

by Nathan Molyneaux on category ,

Crossing over into Germany two things standout.  Firstly, there is no visible border; you only know when the signs change language!  Secondly, the amount of nature still present, namely in the form of trees.  Lots of places to wild camp and cover from the endless pounding heat of the sun.  I am sure I will become a British lobster at some point on this trip!

The nature also gives me the opportunity of wild camping again; however camping in an impending thunder storm is not always wise.  Playing with Komoot at lunch I discovered it shows shelters and I home in on a shelter near some water.  I managed to get to the location by 6pm, made dinner and read my book, A promised land by Barack Obama.   There were several signs stating no camping.  Surely no one would be around with storms roiling in.  I was wrong.

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The first of many new countries… The Netherlands

by Nathan Molyneaux on category

The dawn of a new day arrives as we sail into the port at Hoek of Holland.  I can’t see this because I am staying on the inside cabin; however I do get a lovely jingle at 05:30.  Writing this blog the jingle starts playing in my head.  Realising I only had 4 hours sleep, combination of time difference and deciding to have an extra beer whilst writing my journal.

This is the first time in my life I have ever written a journal and I glad I am.  I never realised there was ever this much to write about a day.  Clearing your mind at the end of the day whilst tidying you thoughts makes blogging easier; it also aides in a good night’s sleep.  After years of sleep issues why did I never do this before?

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Wild camping – who needs sleep

by Nathan Molyneaux on category ,

Saying goodbye is always difficult and more so if you will not see them for another 4 years. So when it came to say goodbye to my brother it was a difficult moment and naturally a delayed start to the day.  But this was also going to be my first day wild camping, maybe that was also a reason for a slow start to the day.

I’ve wild camped before but usually in areas where it is expected or known to be tolerated.  Never just stop in a secluded spot and setup camp.  There is always something at the back of my mind when wild camping that I might get moved on, attacked or bike stolen.  This happens very rarely and usually only in cities, which is why you should always camp away from populated areas!

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