I'm Eddy, from Flemish origin (Belgium) but for the past 19 years living remotely and off-grid in the foothills of the French Pyrenees. In the past my pilgrim soul has urged me to travel on and off on different continents by car, bus, train, boat, campervan, hitch hiking, backpacking, walking with a donkey, and my favorite: by bicycle. After my 65th birthday, I decided to blow some life again into that old favorite of mine: bike travel. No fancy or spectacular destinations or itineraries (I've had my share of must-sees), but rather tending to go where 'there is nothing special to see', looking for those unique experiences and encounters which make any ordinary road special, which nourish the soul, and which will stick in the memory long after the journey has ended... Enjoy watching...! #biketravel #bicycletouring #pilgrim
Come to South East Asia for your cycling. 1. You cross through vastly different countries with different cultures (temples, mosques, etc) and sceneries (waterfalls, rice fields, beaches, mountains scenery, etc. 2. You probably do not need a tent or self cooking. 3. There are street food sold all over in each countries (hawker’s food, night markets, etc) 4. You can stay at cheap loggings or at temples (foc) especially in Thailand. 5. People are friendly and places are safe generally. 6. Start from Singapore to Malaysia, Thailand, Laos…and beyond. One can travel within 1 to 3 hrs by plane between these countries. 7. Welcome to SEA 🙏
72 and riding more than ever! I never feel as alive as I do out on the trails. What a long, strange trip it continues to be! Be Well, my graybeard friends, and Prosper!
Excellent. Brings back a few memories. Think I may have cycled along a tiny distance of your route, at a different time obviously (July 12 2016 for me) at Namur, after looking at my records on my Garmin and I seem to recognise some of those parts on your video. I'm getting on the bike again soon, on this road that leads to nowhere, is where I want to go but for now, on to your next video.
Thank you, I like it verry much! As a long distance hiker and bike-tourer I fully understand the term of pilgrimage. I am starting my next bike tour tomorrow and this viedeo came just in time to bring me in the right mood for travelling.
Thank you… I needed this today. I’m 66. I have been outfitting my bike for bike packing - I need a pilgrimage…. 6 months today that my beloved husband passed on. Broken.
I'm sorry to hear that, Jan. My condoleances. I'd say go on that trip, no matter the destination, and let yourself be spirited by whatever and whichever beautiful soul you come across on your pilgrimage, slowly healing your own scars. Blessings ! 🙏
From Denmark: Hello to all biking and triking loving people. I am 80 years old and still long distance Biking/Triking. I was packing for my 2024 Triking trip and wanted some inspiration about gear to take along, thus I stumbled over your wonderful video. Thx for sharing. Let it be a motivating incentive for as many people as possible, who would like to enjoy freedom, fresh air, nature and, in the process, improve their health/life style even when above 80. Until 4 years ago, I was long haul touring with my KOGA bike (Ortlieb handlebar & front loaders/back loaders/36 L Rack bag + and a ZIFLEX Monowheel Trailer with 100 L bag). Then I shifted to an ICE SPRINT FS Trike with 47 mm Schwalbe tires + the faithful ZIFLEX Trailer to carry tent-tarp-hammock-chair-taburet-spare parts, etc. NO EL ASSIST. Circuit Last summer: Triking Ebeltoft/Jutlant/DK-Frederikshavn-Ferry to Gothenburg (Sweden)-Triking Gothenburg-Stockholm-Ferry to Turku (Finland)-Triking to Helsinki-Ferry back to Stockholm-Triking to Nynaeshamn-Ferry to Visby (Gotland Island-East Coast of Sweden)-Ferry Visby to Oskarshamn (East Coast of Sweden)-Triking to Ystad (South Sweden)-Ferry to the Danish Island of Bornholm-Ferry to Koege (Danish East Coast)-Triking South Denmark Islands with a couple of Ferry crossing to the Island of Aeroe (26 km from Lubeck/Germany)-Back to Ebeltoft/DK. Seems age is ... just a number, if you live a healthy life and still want to enjoy life. Go for it, exercice, you can do it. Peace🙏
Another great video, just can't wait for yours next year adventure. And you are right; kerp on cycling until you can. Couse of healt isues my cycling days are over for good, but i still enjoy watching you guys...
Thank you for your comment, Eagle on the Road (an appropriate name in your situation I must say, watching everything from 'above' now). Yes, keep an eye out for my next film, sometime in the autumn this year... 😊
Hay, enjoying your video. State side here. Like you, I tour. Walking is too slow, driving is too fast. Bicycling is just right. I’am a lot older than you. I just tour in my state - short tours. I’am a lot like you. I like people. Om!
What a great video! Soon to be 67 and I love biking, hiking and long distance swimming. Such a simple and beautiful journey. As I've gotten older, I love the slow pace of riding and taking the time enjoy all that it has to offer.I biked Germany, Austria and Switzerland last September and the things I remember most was the interactions with people a long the way. Trying to buy grapes and apples from different farmers who would not take my money but did take my handshake. Seeing people in their 80's riding E-bikes with big smiles on their faces saying hello as they pass me by. Please post more videos as you go. You have a gift that other people enjoy! God Bless from Northern California USA
Ha, so now you have seen both my films. Nice ! Thank you so much for your encouraging comment ! Yes, slow is beautiful, isn't it? And as you say, the interactions with people along the way is the thing one remembers best. And it's also what makes a film the most interesting in my opinion. That's why I include so many of them. Next trip will be in July/August, with another film following, so stay tuned, my friend ! 🙏👍
Well documented trip Ed, inspiring to see someone at your age still bike touring. I've had a few trips in my home country Zambia and i absolutely loved it. Now in italy, looking forward to get back to two wheels as soon as I can. Vest wishes for the rest of your trips...
Just found your channel.Great video! What an adventure. I'm also 66 and still love cycling, hiking and long distance swimming. For me it started in Germany in 1975 when I discovered Volks marching with old people in theirs 50's and 60's lol.The German people took me in and showed me what life was all about. I can't tell you how love I have for the them and their country. I try to go back as often as I can. Too many people our age just kind of give up so it's great to see people like you out there really living life! God Bless from Northern California USA
Yes indeed, too many people our age fall in the trap of convincing themselves they are too old for any action. And that's like choosing a shortcut to the 'exit' really. What a shame, isn't it? Thanks for watching ! 😊
Hello I have just watched your documentary this morning, after breakfast on the Jurrasic coast, brilliant. I loved the conversation with the man who has no hot water! How he mentioned about tourist with there plans of distraction, for the pilgrim is a different endeavour. Really well-done on your editing. What is the make of your bike? I have a road bike, but need a touring bike because i have an itch to bike travel. We may have met before, you see i was travelling in New Zealand in 1997! All the best 😊😊from southwest,UK
Thank you for your nice comment ! My bike is a Dawes, English brand, 30 years old. But now I've had the chance to buy a much younger touring bike from a friend, a Staiger, German brand. You'll see it appear in my next film. But I've said many times before: it's not necessarily the quality of bike that is important, it's important that you just hit the road and have fun, something you can do on any bike really. I was in NZ from Jan 31st till May 10th 1997, cycling both islands kind of counter clockwise, starting and ending in Auckland. Any chance we could have met then? Thanks for watching ! 😊🙏
Hello Thank you for replying 🤗 Oh I shall look on gumtree and see if there is something like a Dawes. I watch the cycling couple from Holland, I think they are called ' Wheels to Wonder'. The chap built his touring bike from an old 'Giant' mountain bike. Like you say, just getting out there is the best thing really. I have a hybrid straight bar Cannondale, but it's built for short distance really. A friend let me try his Raleigh Pathfinder and that was really comfortable, almost floating really . My Grandad would always say how good German engineering was, so I think you have chosen wisely. I will look up the bike name. My year out, turned into nearly two years away, lovely times. I flew into Auckland March 1997 , stayed about a month, than hitch hiked down to Hawkes Bay for working holiday, eventually on to South Island. I flew to Fiji in July l997, than home in August. Oh well, all the best with your new adventures and I look forward to The new footage. All the best Darren 🤗🤗
Dawes, English hand made brand, 30 years old now. But as it needs a major overhaul I took the chance to buy a more recent secondhand travel bike (Steiger, German brand) from a friend, which I will use for my next trip. Having said this, I believe it's not important what kind of bike you go on, the important thing is that you go and have fun. And this you can do on any cheap old bike really.
Fantastic. I watched both your videos and wanted more! Beautifully done - I love your sense of humour. Was lovely to see the trip, looked like you had a great time. Where are you going this year?
Thanks Bryan ! Glad that you like my films. 😊 For this year (July/August) I have kind of a unique destination in mind. It will be revealed in my next film "67... and cycling from home to........" sometime later in the autumn. So stay tuned, my friend. 😃🙏
Nice video, very calm and relaxing storytelling, some really beautiful roads. I liked it very much and even saw my house in one shot 😃 And respect for your courage 👍
Ha, that handlebar setup it made myself. I just connected the two horns attached to the handlebar with another metal bar. Thanks for watching the film 😊
Great video I'm 56 been cycling full-time for three years and I still can't get enough of it. Haven't been on a long tour yet but I'm thinking about it. Thanks for your story telling it's getting me motivated to try
I know Flaviu in real life, he's a cool guy. We actually got to talk a lot about his trips around the world and he mentioned this video to me. Really wholesome!
@@lulubeloo Great ! Flaviu and I are also still in touch regularly by mail. Give him my regards when you see him again. And thanks for watching the film, mate ! 😊👍
Wow ! A road bike guy with a t-shirt and sandals . Why do I say this ? I am an American . Although we have various communities of cycling . Many Americans ignorantly see the bicycle as a toy or an elitist pursuit. There are many subtle differences - we can learn from European cycling culture . THANK YOU MY FRIEND (we , Americans don't say that very much ) Ya see . We're learn ' n !!! 😂
Haha, good one, Jack ! When I was young everyone in my home town went around on bicycles wearing just casual clothes. It was the thing you just did. You only put on a sports outfit when you were participating in a bike race, or were training for it. Although these days things have changed quite a bit because of 'Americanization' and because of some popular outdoor clothing retail chains who happily sell you the idea that you can't go on a bike without the 'proper biking outfit', I'm happy to see that our old time bike tradtion is still standing strong in our low lands. And me with my uncomplicated t-shirt and sandals outfit I'll make sure to be contributing to this for still many years to come... 😀 Thanks for watching, my American friend ! 🙏
Oh mister you gain all my admiration and full respect, watching you i see myself at your age, now I'm 42 ,one year ago i found that I like to do bike touring, I done three travels here in UK and I'm planning for next year to do London-Istanbul by bicycle 🚲 ❤stay safe, enjoy your beautiful trips ♥️👋
