It has been a while coming but since completing the first stage of the journey to Japan I have managed to pull myself from financial doom and set my focus again to life on the road. I am now in the throes of final preparations for leg 2 of this expedition. I have a lot to look forward to, an entire planet to absorb, but I have forgotten just how much work is involved in undertaking this journey.
Pre-expedition preparation is not something I relish—an exhaustive task compiling a detailed study on international relations, geography, climate, equipment and a multitude of other issues. Technologies advance, new skills need to be learnt and obstacles overcome at every bend. It’s necessary to the success of this project, but I’ve long passed the joy of following lines and landscape across the pages of gigantic library atlases, because this game of international journeying—of crossing numerous countries back to back—is one of complicated logistics, managing stifling bureaucracy and impossible time constraints. It’s at these times I would appreciate having a partner on this epic adventure to help navigate through this madness, but for now I can only dig deep and hope that the crucial tasks over the next few weeks are achievable without excessive difficulty.
In October November 2011, I will begin the second stage of the expedition, travelling back into China, cycling over the Tibetan Plateau and through Central Asia and Russia en route to Europe. I will journey through extreme cold climate and high altitude environments, and preparation is crucial to the success of this stage.
I have set up my new charity page for the World Land Trust, an international conservation organisation that acts directly to save rainforest and other wilderness habitats. Over 400,000 acres have been saved for permanent wildlife reserves. I look forward to visiting some of their conservation projects during the corse of my journey. I would really appreciate any contributions made to this cause no matter the amount. Make a donation to the World Land Trust.
I would like to thank the following companies for their generous support in supplying essential expedition equipment going forward into the second leg. I have selected these products specifically for the quality of design and functionality.
Canon XA10 professional camcorder
RØDE NTG-1 condenser shotgun microphone, Lavalier microphone
LaCie Rugged Triple USB 3.0 hard drive
Suunto Core All Black watch, M-3 Global compass
CamelBak Better Bottle™ Stainless Insulated water bottles
Wilderness Wear 100% Australian made socks and thermal underwear
Keen outdoor adventure footwear
Surly chromoly steel touring racks
Predators, Problems and Perception
Bound for Mainland Russia
Getting to Know Russia
Setting Out
Sayonara Japan!
Ben,
Yo de vez en cuando miro tus videos para seguirte en tu viaje. Te veo con muy buen aspecto y haciendo lo que siempre quisiste hacer. ¡Suerte y cuidate!.
Isabel
Gracias Isabel. Estoy feliz de que pueda ver mis videos. Tal vez un día yo pueda hacer una película de mi viaje. Saludos Ben
So glad your still traveling old mate! Will follow your updates and read of your adventures with much envy. Keep posting your drawings. Shell.
Got to draw more next stage!
Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeenj, don´t come through Sudan, this place is insane!
No doubt!! Apart from the insanity, I really hope it’s going well.Can’t wait to hear your adventures. Please write a guest post and send pics sometime.
Ben, que bueno que arrancas nuevamente!!!
Muchisima suerte!!!!
Muchos saludos desde Colombia!
Monica
Gracias Monica, un día te veré allí.
Great to see you again ben and best for the next stage of the expedition.
Hey there! Oh my…thought i’d check in and see how it was going. SO HAPPY TO SEE THAT YOUR’RE STILL OUT THERE! How long ago was it that we were discussing plans etc??? FWE is actually being shown in cinemas in Japan now…see if you can catch a showing!!!
keep in touch.
jamie
It’s been a really long time. The trailer looks awesome Jamie, I hope you’ve taken the opportunity to tour jpn. Would love to see it if I have the chance. Looking forward to catching up again some day.
Thanks for posting the video on how to make snow tyres! I’m living in Munich, Germany, and the snow is going to arrive any day now!
After watching this great instructional video, I watched many of your videos on vimeo, and reminisced about when I rode UK to New Zealand a few years ago by motorcycle. The bike’s still at my dad’s in NZ, so hope to carry on to South America in a few years. However, that said I’m toying with the idea of chopping it in for a push bike…
Anyway, good luck on your ride across central asia, especially Kazakhstan, the roads are VeRy RoUgH!! But the people are absolutely amazing. Kyrgyzstan is spectacular, and Uzbeks are absolutely the kindest most wonderful people! Have a great time, and give me a shout if you come to Munich for a place to stay (even if it’s 2 years from now!). Nick
Hey Nick, good to hear about your experiences through Central Asia. I’m really looking forward to that part of the trip. Definitely give the pushy a shot—a great way to journey South America. I should be ready for some top German beer when I make it your way! Will be in touch.
It’ll be great to see you, wherever that may be.
Hey Ben.
Getting close now to you setting off on stage two.
Knowing you, it’s not soon enough though.
Wishing you lots of luck.
Will enjoy following your progress and keeping in touch where possible.
Look forward to catching up with you at some point next year.
Best of luck Ben, I’ve been looking forward to next installment of your adventures for a while. How is your Japanese by now?
Cheers Dave! It’s not bad but there’s always plenty of room for improvement with language learning. Great to read about your ride through Japan.
Good luck mate! That’s one hell of a trip ya lucky bugger! I’ll be following your progress closely.
Clark
Thanks Clark. I hope to meet up with you out there sometime.