1a: an undertaking usually involving danger and unknown risks a book recounting his many bold adventuresb: the encountering of risks the spirit of adventure
2: an exciting or remarkable experience an adventure in exotic diningThey were looking for adventure.
3: an enterprise involving financial risk wanted to pay off her debts before embarking on any new financial adventures
When was the last time you stepped out of the front [or back] door with absolutely no idea where you were heading?
When was the last time you felt your stomach churning for you had no idea what you were doing? When was the last time you were so excited you [almost] weed yourself?
Don't you think it's about time you went on an adventure? You know, a journey of unplanned, unexpected, unfathomable epicness...
But what if I'm not ready?
You'll never be ready for a real adventure, it's part of the definition. Yes take some precautions, make sure you have water and toilet paper. Don't stress. Remember to breathe. And then, once you've successfully tricked yourself into believing you're ready, run out the door. Most of the stuff you think is important, you won't even need. Trust me [I'm a gypsy]!
I started my last cycle tour without a bicycle. I started walking, and I let it find me on the way.
You may not be as [seemingly] prepared as the next chap, but they're probably thinking the same about you!
Can you spot the subtle differences between the other cycle tourists I met along the way and my set up?
But where will I sleep?
Wherever you want!
Seriously, the world is your bedroom!
Take a tent. Find a haystack. Sleep under bridges Couch Surf, Squat, use Tinder Beaches, caves, trees, fields, barns, stranger's homes and gardens... There will always be somewhere for you to rest your weary head.
And if the above list fails, there are always hostels, palaces, and hotels.
A Lekeberg lake, Sweden
A fragrant field of manure, Sweden
A friendly farm. Germany
A forest lake, Sweden
In a field of flowers, Sweden
Living it up on a pile of hay, Northern Germany
In a field of wind turbines, Germany
On some vacant lawn of a wealthy upper-class suburb, Sweden
What if it rains?
It will. You will dry.
What if I get lonely?
When you head out on adventure there may be times you feel completely lost and alone. You will often wish that you had someone to talk to, to share experiences and challenges with. But throwing yourself out of your comfort zone and into the mercy of the world will lead you to some of the most fantastic humans you can[t] imagine.
These legends at iRecycle (Stockholm) gave me laughs, kitted me out with a bicycle, and coated me with hope for the adventure that lay ahead.
My first flat tyre led me to meet my new Iranian friend and a BBQ and a trance party and pizza.
There will be other adventurers of the road too!
And you never know when it might be a friendly refugee or an elderly person [or both] that will take you in for fika (Swedish tea time)
You might run into old friends along the way
Or you may be accosted on the side of the highway and be forced to party and laugh and sing with strangers.
A friendly stranger may see you struggling and simply pick up your 50+ kg bicycle and carry it up the stairs for you.
What happens if something goes wrong?
It will.
And normally quite badly.
You can prepare for everything, but there will ALWAYS be something you never thought of.
There might be tears and a bit of spilled milk/ blood/ or self-shitting, but things going wrong are proof that you are in fact on an actual adventure.
Besides, you need the bad times to remind you how awesome the good really is.
What if I get lost?
This is when adventures are at their best!
You are often far away from where you ought to be, but you will find you are always exactly where you need to be.
What about money?
What about living? Seriously, you really don't need much to explore. It's up to you how comfortable you want your trip to be. You can budget for hotels and fine dining restaurants. But you can also free camp and cook your own [delicious] meals. Travelling by bicycle or by thumb are basically free. But you can also take cars, motorbikes, buses, trains and private planes... You could spend millions. But you can also survive seven weeks on $13.70 (tried and tested)
What if I don't need an adventure? Don't be ridiculous! Everyone needs an adventure. Everyone needs to be challenged. Everyone needs to push themselves to realize what their bodies are capable of. If you don't ever leave your comfort zone, how will you grow?
Take the first step. Start your adventure NOW. You will find what you need along the way.
So there I stood in Germany, thumb poised, hopes high...
Hitch hiking had proved far too easy.
It was probably about time I got stuck in the rain.
And then on the autobahn to be dragged off by the police...
But it didn't matter, the people I met kept getting happier and the epic continued to build.
I was about to set up camp at a petrol station when I got an offer to Berlin.
It wasn't quite in the right direction, but at least I was still moving East.
