The Bike Hike is about making the most of the opportunities that life gives us; taking a risk and breaking away from the conformity that society and life demands. To travel the world on our touring bicycles, to visit people and places we have always dreamed of, to be spontaneous, free. We feel urgency to leave and the time is right.

We realise that Gaby’s osteoarthritis will pose challenges but we will manage them and not let issues such as those that Gaby faces influence our plans or dreams.

The inspirational travel writer, Frances Mayes sums this up in her book A Year in the World, ‘two of my favorite words are linked: departure time’. No regrets, no looking back thinking what if? There is a desire to travel that is compelling and we cannot ignore the departure call.

The BikeHike is a journey of travel and adventure, the excitement and discovery found in unlikely places and our insights into the pleasure that travel gives us.

It’s a pretty simple philosophy, to travel the world by bicycle and enjoy the simple pleasures of everyday life through adventure and discovery. We will start in New Zealand and travel through Australia, South East Asia, China and Eastern Europe. The Silk Road and trade routes are foreign places we have wanted to see and never been to. We have no itinerary and we intend to live by our wits.

We will be looking for new opportunities that develop through our travels, taking into consideration the restrictions that will occur due to the osteoarthritis, and hopefully be an inspiration to others.