What happens when you end a year of cycling a 12,000 mile journey and go back to real life?

[dave_vd]

Hi guys and girls,

I just finished riding a 12,000 mile loop around the US & Canada and it's been a bit of a culture shock coming back to real life. Thought you may be interested in this post-ride blog post:

http://www.vaguedirection.com/the-phrase-real-life/

Lots more fun stuff coming to the site (including what happens when stealth camping goes VERY wrong) so do subscribe if you'd like to see more!

 

[BigonaBianchi]

Ah the adventurer returns!

Like I already mentioned to you I think you will be in a different league to peeps who have never done anything much with their lives, and that is sadly the majority. Gradually I think you will learn to accept that others never will have any real concept of what you did, they wont be able to grasp the vastness, the solitude, the determination, the highs and lows of such a life changing adventure. You have a great story to tell now, and the qualities you found in yourself on that journey will, I am sure, stand you in good stead throughout the rest of your life.

Never forget though that that trip was reality, and nobody else you are ever likely to meet had the guts to make it happen.

Hat's off to you mate.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Congrats & welcome back (I think.... personally I would still be out there, but...)

What happens? What happens is that you very quickly find out people are not that interested really. You also find yourself wondering why they get so het up about the really little things in life - like there is nothing on tv, they have to queue for a few mins to get petrol/diesel or that cycling you don't pay.... You also find out that you don't know how to deal with the people who think their life is over because their white T-shirt now has a stain on it! It takes a while to adjust. 18 months on and I still have very little tolerance for people who think the world has come an end because the shop is out of a certain product! Perhaps it is just me, but I do look at things differently now and think so what there is a scratch on the wooden door in the house - there are far more important things in life to worry about...

Anyhow welcome back to reality.... just try not to adjust back to it too quickly...

Oh and get used to people thinking you are mad because you cycle in all weather and don't' think anything about it taking 30 mins longer each way to cycle than it is to drive... my family still have not got their head around that one and think I am totally mad for cycling 90-100 mins each way to their homes when I could drive 60 mins each way and save myself an hour of time.

 

[young Ed]

congrats
as above just don't bother adjusting too much and spend your spare time planning your next trip

LOL
Cheers Ed

 

[dave_vd]

Ah the adventurer returns!

Like I already mentioned to you I think you will be in a different league to peeps who have never done anything much with their lives, and that is sadly the majority. Gradually I think you will learn to accept that others never will have any real concept of what you did, they wont be able to grasp the vastness, the solitude, the determination, the highs and lows of such a life changing adventure. You have a great story to tell now, and the qualities you found in yourself on that journey will, I am sure, stand you in good stead throughout the rest of your life.

Never forget though that that trip was reality, and nobody else you are ever likely to meet had the guts to make it happen.

Hat's off to you mate.

Thanks man! Great points. And for being psyched about the trip during it! Happy New Year!

 

[dave_vd]

Congrats & welcome back (I think.... personally I would still be out there, but...)

What happens? What happens is that you very quickly find out people are not that interested really. You also find yourself wondering why they get so het up about the really little things in life - like there is nothing on tv, they have to queue for a few mins to get petrol/diesel or that cycling you don't pay.... You also find out that you don't know how to deal with the people who think their life is over because their white T-shirt now has a stain on it! It takes a while to adjust. 18 months on and I still have very little tolerance for people who think the world has come an end because the shop is out of a certain product! Perhaps it is just me, but I do look at things differently now and think so what there is a scratch on the wooden door in the house - there are far more important things in life to worry about...

Anyhow welcome back to reality.... just try not to adjust back to it too quickly...

Oh and get used to people thinking you are mad because you cycle in all weather and don't' think anything about it taking 30 mins longer each way to cycle than it is to drive... my family still have not got their head around that one and think I am totally mad for cycling 90-100 mins each way to their homes when I could drive 60 mins each way and save myself an hour of time.

Haha, seems true so far!

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

I'm really glad bonab and satnav posted these, my wife and I thought we were the only ones who thought this about our peers. We've both travelled extensively, me through work and army, her through her family and my adventurous streak. Travellers do tend to think differently and I don't think that it's just down to biking.