Aloo Gobi is a traditional North Indian dish that is enjoyed widely around the world but most commonly in India and Pakistan. Made up of the main ingredients ‘aloo’ meaning ‘potato’ and ‘gobi’ meaning ‘cauliflower’, this dish is hearty and full of goodness. There are many variations that may include peas or other veggies but the name stays the same.
Authentic Aloo Gobi does not have a liquid gravy which means the flavour comes from the aromatic spices added including tumeric . It is found all over India because the ingredients are widely accessible and cheap, it fills your stomach and it’s also simply delicious!
This recipe gives a zero waste spin on this traditional dish making use of the whole cauliflower, including the stalk and stems for added crunch! Super easy, super tasty and always a crowd pleaser! Enjoy ๐
SERVES 6
PREP TIME 10 MINS
COOK TIME 25 MINS
TOTAL TIME 35 MINS
INGREDIENTS
2 large potatoes (cut into 3/4 inch cubes, skin on)
1 medium cauliflower (cut into large florets and peel the outer layer of the stalk. Remove 1/2 inch off the bottom (and compost!) and cut the rest of the stem into 1/4 inch slices) 1/2 cauliflower leaves (separate leaves from stems and cut stems into 1/2 inch slices (like you would with celery) – chop leaves roughly)
3 shallots (diced)
1/2 red onion (finely diced)
3/4 green chilli (finely chopped) (optional)
1 sq inch ginger (minced)
3 garlic cloves (minced)
2 tomatoes (finely diced)
1/2 lemon (juiced)
2 tbsp rapeseed oil
1 tbsp garam masala
1 tbsp coriander powder
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp tumeric
1 tsp cumin seeds
Handful of chopped coriander (including stalks)
Cup of water
GARNISH
Coriander
STEP 1
Heat your pot and add oil. Once the oil is hot, add the cumin seeds and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
STEP 2
Lower the heat (medium) and add your shallots, onions and cauliflower leaf stems sautรฉing them for about 5-6 minutes until soft.
STEP 3
Add ginger, chilli and garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes.
STEP 4
Add salt and spices, stir and cook for another 1-2 minutes over a low heat.
STEP 5
Pour in your diced tomatoes, stir and simmer for a few minutes before adding the potatoes. Increase the heat slightly, add a splash of water and cover for 5 minutes.
STEP 6
Add the cauliflower stalks and florets, cover and cook for another 10 minutes. Add a splash of water if necessary.
STEP 7
Squeeze half a lemon and mix in with a handful of roughly chopped coriander.
STEP 8
Serve with rice, chapati or other Indian bread with a sprinkling of extra coriander as garnish.
So Extinction Rebellion(XR)and Animal Rebellion(AR)have just finished a 10 day series of public protests which have involved disruptive stunts, a lot of superglue and a pretty significant number of activists sacrificing themselves to be arrested in the name of pioneering important social change.
A lot of people have heard of Extinction Rebellion, but in case you havenโt, XR is a movement set up to campaign for climate justice. They use non-violent direct action to apply public pressure to local governments throughout the world. This is done with the hope of enforcing legislation that will ensure systematic improvements to deal with the current ecological emergency. In London for the past 10 days, their focus has been primarily on pushing through the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill (CEE Bill) which demands for the following:
The below list is taken directly from the XR website:
A serious plan to deal with the UKโs fair share of emissions and to halt critical rises in global temperatures.
Our entire carbon footprint be taken into account โ in the UK and overseas.
The active conservation and restoration of nature here and overseas, recognising the damage we cause through the goods we import.
Those in power not to depend on future technologies to save the day; technologies that are used as an excuse for us to carry on polluting.
Ordinary people to have a real say on the right way forward in a Citizensโ Assembly with bite.
Animal Rebellionare the โsisterโ organisation that also campaign for climate justice but primarily from the perspective of ending animal exploitation. AR want to implement change through the introduction of a plant based food system.
HIV, Ebola, SARS, MERS, the Zika virus and Bird Flu are all other examples of zoonotic diseases that have made the genetic jump to infecting humans. Without the exploitation of animalsand them being forced into extremely unsanitary conditions, left to sit for hours in their own faeces, in cramped cages and often exposed to blood of various other species, both alive and dead, it is unlikely that these wild cross-species mutations would have had the opportunity to occur.
Due to the proven rising temperature of our planet and the horrifying forecast of what the future has in store once we breach a 1.5 degree increase, on the 22nd of April 2016, 175 world leaders signed the Paris Agreement at United Nations Headquarters in New York (which was the largest number of countries to sign an international agreement in one day). This agreement committed a total of 186 countries to strengthen their nation’s response in order to keep the global temperature from rising over 2 degrees centigrade this century.
If planned actions to combat climate change are not implemented, we could be facing a 4 degree temperature rise. That means that the Earth will almost have heated the same amount (4.5 degrees) since the industrial revolution as what it has in the last 17000 years!
THE EARTH’S GETTING HOTTER…SO WHAT?!
Now weโve all been hearing about this โglobal warmingโ malarkey for the best part of 20 years but most of us donโt really understand what it really means and how itโs going to affect us in our lifetimes – mainly because it hasnโt been clearly reported. As much as we may have enjoyed our hotter summers and more moderate winters in recent years, itโs time to ask is this really affecting us negatively now? And have we realised how detrimental this could be for our futures?
Deforestation, burning fossil fuels and animal agriculture make up the most significant contributors to the release of greenhouse gases carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases. Continuing at our current rate of emissions, the ice caps will continue to melt beyond the point of return, as a result the sea will rise and we expect to see hurricanes, floods, droughts, agricultural failures and other natural disasters such as devastating global mangrove loss. These devastating events will result in areas of the world becoming uninhabitable, a drastic loss of biodiversity, human displacement, unemployment, crop failure, starvation and ultimately death for many – we are entering into the world’s sixth mass extinction! The World Heath Organisation (WHO) predicted that between 2030 and 2050 up to 250,000 additional deaths will occur each year due to climate change alone.
These effects will inevitably be felt by the poorest and most vulnerable populations first but will eventually also impact the middle and upper classes, too. When the availability of resources diminish, prices go up and accessibility goes down – that’s something nobody will be able to avoid.
Life on Earth is in crisis: scientists agree we have entered a period of abrupt climate breakdown, and we are in the midst of a mass extinction of our own making.
The swift global response to the Coronavirus outbreak serves as evidence to prove how quickly habits can be changed. In the height of European lockdown in early April 2020, the daily global fossil CO2 emissions fell by 17% compared to the same time the year before yet were only equivalent to levels all the way back from 2006. This demonstrates our growing dependence on fossil fuels for energy and draws attention to how drastically it has increased across the last 14 years.
This dramatic reduction in pollution saw nature restore itself impressively rapidly all over the world. Jellyfish, swans,schools of fish and even dolphins were reported to have returned to the crystal clear canals of Venice, a natural place that was once overrun by tourists. Deer were spotted grazing by The White House. Wild boar were roaming in Barcelona… The list goes on.
This pandemic has made many of us realise how we humans have such a direct impact on the natural world around us and that we need to be more mindful of how we’re impacting the Earth’s natural balance and all the wildlife that also depend on it.
ARE XR AND AR WRONG TO PROTEST?
I know public demonstrations can be disruptive and irritating to some people but let’s take a minute to ask ourselves why XR, AR and many other organisations take this approach. Here’s a really useful video that offers insight:
MY PERSPECTIVE ON DIRECT ACTION
I took part in the protests with Animal Rebellion because I firmly believe in all that XR and AR stand for. And despite having spent a year and a half of my life cycling alone across the world, championing my cause peacefully and doing outreach such as giving public speeches (including my TEDx Talk) and leading educational workshops everywhere and anywhere I could, no British news wanted to cover my story or listen to the informative and positive messages I had to share. In fact, when the BBC did cover my story, they didnโt even talk about my goals and instead reported the wrong information about my time during Coronavirus.
The point Iโm making is that people can criticise direct action groups for temporarily inconveniencing their days but we are fighting for our futures and there simply isn’t time to spare! Without civil disobedience, a lot of money, a huge dose of luck or an elite personal connection, unfortunately you are largely ignored through the mainstream news channels. The media reports on tragedies and drama and if you donโt create a story that invokes a reaction, you fall by the wayside.
As the XR video shows above, when we look at patterns of social development throughout history, we can see how necessary direct action protests are, no matter how inconvenient they may seem.
Women’s rights direct actions which were led by the Suffragettes was also considered ‘inconvenient’ at the time despite people agreeing with their cause, but without those actions and the sacrifice of some brave individuals’ personal liberties, how much would have actually been achieved?
Well now we have to fight with direct action to combat the climate emergency as well.
So direct action may well be a nuisance but in my opinion, it is indeed necessary.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?
By supporting the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill, youโd be supporting the introduction of a citizens’ assembly which would give the power to our diverse people, from all backgrounds and ethnicities, to receive thorough education on our climate crisis and enable them to vote and make decisions to save our planet and our futures.
Write to your local MP adding further pressure to our government listing your serious concerns over the current ecological disaster as we enter into the sixth mass extinction (templates are available on the XR and AR websites)
Write to and boycott companies (like Shell, BP, Barclays and HSBC) that invest in damaging economic expansion encouraging them to take corporate social responsibility and generate clean, green money for the economy
Donate money to XR, AR or a wildlife conservation charity
Share information via your social media channels
Thank you for reading, I hope you’ve found it useful and informative and perhaps this blog has given you an alternative perspective on non-violent direct action and the approach of Extinction Rebellion, Animal Rebellion and myself on our attempts to tackle the climate and ecological emergency.
If you’ve found some value in this article, please help to spread the word and click the share button! ๐
Plastic pollution and global warming are serious international problems that affect us all and it is imperative that we start to prioritise protecting our environment over our own convenience.
Having spent so much time in Asia, where, according to National Geographic, 50% of all plastic is made, I have seen the heartbreaking effects first hand (demonstrated in the photo above) and it compelled me to make some drastic changes.
Over time, I have been able to alter my living to being 99% plastic free. I say 99% because being vegan and travelling by bicycle means that sometimes, very occasionally, I have to buy things like rice, nuts or noodles from a market so that I donโt starve in remote places (I know, totally unacceptable!). And sometimes, no matter how thoroughly I explain that I donโt want plastic using English, the local language and through showing my plastic free container/solution, I still end up with plastic!
Donโt get me wrong, it is challenging; I donโt enjoy being the โdifficult oneโ that confuses or even unintentionally upsets the local vendor or shop assistant (because they think theyโve done something wrong) but I have to be because even though that sole interaction wonโt change their view, when the next five or ten or fifty people also make the same firm requests and show theyโre unhappy to be served a plastic bag or a plastic straw then maybe they will start to rethink what theyโre serving their customers and WHY. This domino effect will eventually reach the global conglomerates that really have the ability to alter the market and make a wider difference.
Near the peak of Kasi Mountain, Laos
Here are some shocking facts for you:
โ๏ธEvery single day 8 millionpieces of plastic find their way into our oceans.
โ๏ธ100,000 marine mammals and turtles and 1 million sea birds are killed by marine plastic pollution annually.
โ๏ธDid you know that it takes 2,400 gallons of water to produce 1 pound (0.45kg) of meat?! By abstaining from eating just 1 pound of meat, youโd save more water than if you didnโt shower for six months.
โ๏ธYou eat thousands of bits of plastic every year – it is estimated that we may be consuming between 39,000 and 52,000 microplastic particles per year by consuming products such as seafood, sugars, salt and beer. Itโs even in our water. You can read this in more detail here.
โ๏ธThere is more micro plastic in the ocean than there are stars in the Milky Way.
(I have also listed some additional shocking statistics at the bottom of this article for those that would like to read more.)
It can be challenging to make the switch over to a plastic free lifestyle but the reality is that once you get going, itโs actually pretty simple. By committing to doing this, you will contribute to changing the patterns of consumerism which can pressurise the โbig fishโ to make significant changes too.ย
Read my guide about how to embrace zero waste living whilst travellingincluding details of my plastic free kit and best environmental travel tips for information and inspiration on adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle.
Otherwise, thank you for reading. Please do help to share and spread the word as far and wide as possible.
The time to act is now.
Be sure to check out one of the amazing charities that I’m cycling and fundraising for, Friends of the Earth, for extra help, advice and news on how we can come together to save this planet.
Peaceโ๐ผย
More shocking stats:
โ๏ธLess than one fifth of all plastic waste is recycled globally.
โ๏ธMicroplastics have now been found embedded in Artic Ice.
โ๏ธAbout 8% of the worldโs oil production is used to make plastic and power the manufacturing of it. That figure is projected to rise to 20% by 2050.
โ๏ธEvery six seconds, an acre of rainforest is cut down for cattle farming – thatโs around 14,400 acres every single day. If you havenโt already heard the heartbreaking news thatโs going on right now in the Amazon (the rainforest that produces 20% of Earthโs oxygen), mass areas are being cleared and burned intentionally for animal agriculture. You can read about it here.
โ๏ธPlastic pollution can now be found on every single beach in the world, inhabited or not.
Below Iโve detailed everything from my kit to all my eco-aware travel tips outlining how Iโve managed to incorporate zero waste living into my everyday even whilst cycling from Vietnam to England as a solo vegan female.
I hope the below advice helps you to make some better environmental choices and I would be happy to answer any questions if youโd like some extra help!
โป๏ธ Lifestraw Go2 Stage water filtration bottle (allowing you to drink from ANY water source and with every purchase, a child in need receives safe water for an entire school year! If you are based in Europe, you can purchase yours here.)
๐ Bar of shampoo (eco friendly, vegan shampoos are widely available online or via retailers such as Lush Cosmetics. My latest one was purchased from Itโs Going Green, Bangkok)
๐ Bar of conditioner (eco friendly, vegan conditioners are widely available online or via retailers such as Lush Cosmetics. My latest one was purchased from Itโs Going Green, Bangkok)
๐ Bar of body soap (eco friendly, vegan soaps are widely available online or via retailers such as Lush Cosmetics. My latest one was purchased from Itโs Going Green, Bangkok)
๐ Bamboo cotton buds (widely available online, my latest box were purchased from Itโs Going Green, Bangkok)
๐ Klein Bamboo toothbrush (widely available, my latest one was purchased from Itโs Going Green, Bangkok)
๐ Toothpaste tabs (Cheww.co product purchased from It’s Going Green, Bangkok. However these are quite expensive, please let me know if you know of a cheaper alternative!)
๐ด Eat local produce where you can. Importing goods is carbon costly and uses additional packaging which can be avoided when you purchase from local market sellers.
๐ด Cut/reduce your consumption of meat and dairy. Animal agriculture is the biggest contributor to global warming – a whopping 18% of all greenhouse gas emissions, more than the combined exhaust from all transportation.
๐ด Buy cans instead of bottles. I understand what itโs like to โneedโ a cold drink! Plus, in a growing number of regions, you have amazing companies like CanO Water that can provide you with on-the-go water in fully recyclable and resealable cans for when youโre caught without your reusable bottle!
ANIMALS/MARINE LIFE
๐ข DO NOT PAY INTO ANIMAL EXPLOITATION. This is not natural or ethical. Wild animals are meant to be wild and introducing them to humans is not only damaging for the animal(s) in question, but also to the ecosystem. By visiting or paying into animal tourism, you condone that behaviour which keeps the trade going. When no one will ride these peopleโs elephants or watch a show featuring orcas, the businesses will fail.
๐ข When snorkelling or scuba diving, be aware of the corals and reef. Not only is it seriously damaging but it can actually harm you too.
ZERO WASTE
โป๏ธ When caught without your zero waste kit, discipline yourself between WANT and NEED. For example, when I didnโt have a cup with me and Iโd want a smoothie, Iโd just go without instead of using plastic – simply, my value for the environment is more of a priority than my desire for a smoothie. Another tip would be to insist about not using plastic and the vendor (if they can) will do everything to find you an alternative solution so that they can still sell you their product.
โป๏ธ If you donโt have a water filter, take a bottle into local shops and ask if you can refill your water. Pretty much every place in Asia will have a giant filtered water refill tank in their house/shop for the family to use. Most will oblige for free (water is very cheap) but if they sell water and point to the plastic option, explain that you are happy to pay the same as what you would for a plastic bottle, you just donโt want plastic. This also helps to educate which is great!
โป๏ธ Pick up rubbish where you can, every little helps.
โป๏ธ Politely point out to others things they might be able to do. Sometimes this can feel a bit uncomfortable but people often just donโt think about whatโs wrong with using plastic until itโs mentioned. By asking someone sitting one table over from you if they wouldnโt mind reusing their straw for their next drink instead of getting a new one, you plant a seed in a nice way for them to think about their plastic usage.
โป๏ธ UPCYCLE! We live in a time where we are so used to just throwing things away and getting a newer โbetterโ version. Upcycling is not only great for the environment but also incredibly rewarding. You can get creative with it too! A simple upcycled product I have in my plastic free kit is the use of an old tea tin I got from a coffee shop in Bangkok. It holds all my soap bars, I made the workers at the shop smile and I didnโt have to spend a penny! ๐
A small beach cleanup I organised when visiting Gecko Hostel in Vung Tau
WATER AND ELECTRICITY
๐งTurn off the lights and unplug your appliances when you donโt need them. You may be in a hotel and donโt have to pay extra for the electricity, but our Earth does! (This also applies to being at home and there it saves you money!)
๐งSAVE WATER! Have showers, not baths, and be speedy! If you are budget travelling you probably wonโt have access to a bath anyway, but baths use a lot more water which our planet needs more than you do! Remembering to turn the tap off whilst brushing your teeth or washing your hair are also small positive changes.
๐งHand wash your clothes when you can. This saves money, water and electricity. Most hotels wash only your clothes in a machine at one time which is extremely wasteful. The washing tends to be a bit rubbish anyway so you may as well do it yourself!
TRAVEL/HOLIDAYS
๐ฒ Take flights as little as possible and use land travel alternatives. Many countries have very simple borders to cross and in places like South East Asia, border crossings are relatively pain free. Always look out for (and stand up to!) corruption as this is commonplace amongst developing communities. Politely refusing and standing your ground (without making a scene) will usually allow you to surpass this issue. If you do need to fly, try to book a direct flight because taking off and landing is the most environmentally damaging part of the process.
๐ฒ Use local transport, walk or ride a bicycle more. Walking and riding a bicycle is especially great because itโs not just great for the planet but also your own health. I know cars can feel convenient but look at travelling this way as your journey, your meditation and your exercise.
๐ฒ Donโt abandon your toiletries. Itโs a waste of money, plastic and product. If you are fortunate enough to have to think about this โproblemโ of taking your products home, donate them to someone local who would appreciate them.
๐ฒ When booking excursions, invest your money into eco-tourism. Ask where your money goesโฆdo they employ local guides? Do they preserve the environment? How do they source and cater food for those on the tour (i.e. using disposable plastic to serve)? Does their business model support the local community in a sustainable way?
SHOPPING
๐ Purchase clothes or items from local markets or second hand shops. This helps to stop fast fashion, puts money into the hands of the local community and helps to recycle useful materials.
๐ Avoid environmentally damaging products. The two biggies that spring to mind are sanitary waste and wet/baby wipes. There are great alternatives that do not get flushed into our oceans such as a menstrual cup, reusable sanitary towels and facial cleansers.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
โ When you see something damaging, sharing that with others to raise awareness of these issues is extremely important. Use your social platforms and help to promote positive social trends such as #saynotoplastic #drasticonplastic #savetheplanet #climatecrisis
โ If you have time, enquire as to whether you can help a local cleanup organisation. Sharing this on your social media inspires others too.
Here are some snaps from the recent cleanup I got to take part in thanks to Trash Hero in Koh Samet, Thailand. In just a few hours six of us managed to collect 90kg of recycling and 40kg of rubbish. They operate throughout South East Asia so check out their website to see where you could help if you’re passing through!
Learn how to say โI donโt want plasticโ in the language of the country youโre visiting. (If you want to be thorough, learn how to say โplastic is bad for the environmentโ too.)
STEP TWO
Gesture like crazy – repeat the words and point at the plastic youโre referring to signalling some kind of โnoโ sign.
STEP THREE
Show your zero waste alternative and act out that you would like the product/food/drink in your own container rather than their plastic option.
STEP FOUR
Repeat and keep an eye out for any additional plastic they might serve (i.e. when ordering a smoothie in your own cup, they might give you a straw once theyโve poured the smoothie). Be ready to interrupt and prevent this.
STEP FIVE
Explain why you didnโt want plastic to the best of your ability. Use Google Translate as necessary.
EXTRA NOTE: if someone serves you plastic by mistake, take the time to explain why that was wrong calmly and clearly. The issue is in a lack of education and understanding so following up with this is probably more valuable and impactful than not using one piece of plastic.
At Chatuchak Market, Bangkok with grass boats and reusable spoons as a plastic alternative.
Please check out Friends of the Earth, one of the wonderful charities I am fundraising for. They have details of other ways you can help to protect our environment including supporting a new plastic law and you can learn more about the incredible work they are doing to help fight climate change.
I really hope this post has helped you with some useful tips on how to introduce some positive environmental changes into your lifestyle. If youโve enjoyed reading and learned something new, please share this to help others benefit from it too ๐
So it’s been a little while now in since I put my life on a bike and started cycle touring and wow, Iโve learnt a lot!ย
Firstly, the Vietnamese were NOT expecting to see me! Whether itโs because Iโm Western in extremely remote areas, female, a solo cyclist or all of the above, they looked at me as though I was riding a bear, not a bike!
And besides the obvious like how to diagnose and fix things on my bike, Iโve also found out a number of things, some of which have completely reshaped my style of travel.
Check out my list below; if youโre thinking about getting on your bike for a long trip, it could help you with what to expect when making that first step! If biking isnโt for you, feel free to chuckle at my expense!
1. Cycling in Asia is not for those with road rage
Itโs no secret that driving in Vietnam is (slightly) less regulated than it is in the western world and every driverโs best friend is their horn. Beeping (or ringing your bell) can save your life on these roads and drivers here take pride in their (ridiculously) loud and customised horns – expect a giant truck type of sounding horn on a tiny hatchback and a sunny-sounding 3 second melody on a huge petrol lorry – weird. Plus, they love to honk right next to you (most of the time when itโs entirely unnecessary) just to shock your heart back into beating just in case it had stopped – thoughtful! ๐คฆ๐ฝโโ๏ธ๐ And donโt forget that you canโt get annoyed for anything on the road here, because the only rule in Vietnam is: if you donโt hit anyone, itโs okay.
2. My bum doesnโt hurt anywhere as much as I thought it would! EDIT – YES IT BLOODY DOES!
(Lol I had to put this one in – it started as a note Iโd jotted down in week 1, Iโd edited it in week 3 when my bum chafing was so bad I felt like I was sitting on sandpaper, not on a double padded saddle through padded cycle shorts!) – invest well in padded gear…it makes a huge difference!
Me, crying over bum chafing…
3. I thought I hated warm water until I was actually thirsty.
When your mouth is as dry as Ghandiโs flip flop, even the sweat from your top lip starts to taste good ๐
4. Want to eat as much as you want and never get fat? Become a cycle tourist!
And trust me when I say that biking is not just about your legs! I have muscles in my lower back that apparently, Iโve never used. (24 or 84 I started to ask myself!) Your core controls your balance, your back – your posture, your hands and arms – the distribution of your weight on the bike and your legs pedal…not forgetting the mental training keeping yourself motivated when youโre all alone on a 20% incline. Plus, being vegan, Iโve been advised to try and put on weight whilst Iโm in places that I can access food more easily (as there will be times that it will become extremely difficult for me to eat) and it really is an actual chore to eat so much! If food is your god and you like being in shape, get on your bike and you can eat what you like!
Vegan Mi Quang – one of the best dishes I’ve eaten in Vietnam (genuinely tasted exactly like chicken soup and it cost ยฃ0.50!) – this was my second meal in the same sitting! Sorry not sorry…
5. The position of your seat will change your whole riding experience
It took me 5 weeks of pretty consistent cycling and countless adjustments to find a seat position that was actually comfortable for my knees, my back and my bum and allowed me to pedal efficiently. Getting professionally fitted for your bike will help massively towards preventing injury. Something like having your knees too straight or too bent can cause long term damage to your joints, ligaments and muscles so listen to your body and make as many changes as necessary! Sometimes the smallest alteration can make the biggest difference.
6. The cycle community is amazing and bigger than you think! (And the world is super small!)
Itโs proof that you attract the energies youโre putting out – you might think it would be so unlikely to see other individuals cycling across the world, but Iโve crossed paths with 4 in just over 2 months and waved to others on the road. Thereโs even an international WhatsApp group thatโs a lovely support network for all cyclists – experienced or new. Itโs always full so if youโre trying to join, you have to click the link just as someone leaves. Itโs the place to be for support and advice! Thank you Akmaral (who I met in Mai Chau) for sending me the link! If youโre a cycle tourist and want in, get in touch and I can forward it on for you โบ๏ธ (plus of course, Iโd always love to chat to another cycle tourist!).
Together with Akmaral and Claire, two other super inspiring, female cyclists that I met in Mai Chau, Vietnam
7. Hard and fast is not whatโs best (despite what some might think! ๐)
In the beginning I was so focused on what I โshouldโ be achieving that it took away from what I was doing. Now that I have all my camping equipment, I couldnโt be more free and Iโve learnt that the experience really is in the journey. Time and statistics are things weโve created to compare and compete, but when youโre cycle touring you become more interested in measuring your experience, not your miles.
8. The higher the mountain, the faster you get to fly
There is literally no better feeling than speeding far too fast down a mountain youโve just conquered. Elevation gain was something that didnโt mean anything to me at the beginning except โthatโs gonna hurt tomorrowโ and now it excites and terrifies me at the same time. Every bit of pain is totally worth it.
9. Vanity is not a trait you can possess if you are a female cyclist in Asia
(I mean, I was hardly an active hair washer anyway, but there really is no point when youโre guaranteed to be a sweaty mess the next day…). Saying that…Even when youโre sweating from every pore in your body, youโve got the most unflattering padded cycling shorts imaginable on (making you look like you have a swollen cameltoe) and are bright red whilst panting frantically like an overweight middle aged man thatโs just walked up 8 flights of stairs, there really are still some guys that will STILL fancy you, ask for your number, want photos with you and even be inappropriate.
(Potential trigger warning: sexual harassment) Read here about a recent experience I had whilst cycling the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Vietnam. This was my first experience of seriously inappropriate sexual harassment whilst on my bike.
Note: itโs important to remember that stories like this are generally isolated and this one does not in any way reflect the manner of Vietnamese men in general, but instead the actions of one pervert that unfortunately crossed my path. It doesnโt matter if youโre 20,000km away from home or at the end of your road, psychos are dotted around and itโs important to raise awareness about how to deal with unexpected situations in order to improve confidence in solo female travel and also travel safety tips in general.
10. Biking is the best medicine for self-care
Not only are you getting fitter every day anyway, but maintaining your 2 most valuable items become your top priority: yourself and your bike. Everything else is disposable and replaceable. When your body is the engine of your vehicle, not only do you learn how to thoroughly look after it, but you want to. Cycling all day also becomes my meditation – itโs so healthy to really have time alone to process your thoughts. So by cycling so far you inevitably improve both your mental AND physical health. Win, win! If youโre feeling like youโre not ready, donโt hesitate, just get up and go. With a decent enough level of fitness, youโll be in perfect shape for most terrain within a few weeks๐๐ผ
Basically, life on a bike is tough, testing and bloody amazing! I could never have expected that I would be doing this so you can, too. The only person stopping you is YOU!
For now, onwards and upwards! (Literally!) ๐
Iโd be interested to see what other cyclists have felt/experienced when they first started touring – Iโd love to hear from you! And also if youโre thinking about cycle touring yourself and have some questions, get in touch! Send me a message or drop it in the comments!๐๐ผ
