This Is It, My Big Adventure

Dear World,

I am glad that you could be here for this, so thank-you for stopping by.

I’ve made an awfully big life decision. I shall have an adventure and it will be bolder than anything I have ever done before.

Disregarding society and my Masters degree, I am committing the next few weeks, months, and maybe much longer to this adventure.

I will buy a bicycle and I will kit it out to be my survival vehicle. On that bicycle, I will carry my tent and I will sleep outside under the stars, night after night. If a stranger invites me into their home, I will say yes. I will attach boxes to the bicycle and I will carry dried food. I will eat what and when I can. The whole bicycle will cost less than one hundred pound. [UPDATE: the bicycle cost £30, see it here]

I will share this story with you through pictures, words, and videos [Do you want to video edit for me?] when I get the opportunity. But this is a side project, a by-product of my adventure.

This decision has come about as a result of asking myself, what would I do if I could do anything in the world, finance, fears, everything else aside. This would be it.

What Others Think Is Not ImportantStep One

On the bicycle I find, I will travel from Norfolk to Bratislava, accompanied by two free spirits. I anticipate our path will be around 1,500 miles, and this part of the journey will take us a month.

I have no long distance cycling experience. My equipment will cost less than a typical weekend out.

Step Two

Upon reaching Bratislava, I will meet up with another wanderer or five. Together, we will build a raft and attempt to traverse the Danube, hoping to reach the sea in Romania, around 1,000 miles away.

Assuming we aren’t arrested, we will be the pirates of the Danube. In celebration of this, I will not shave or cut my hair from the point at which I start my journey. I may even get a pirate piercing.

Step Three

My journey continues east through countries I can barely spell. As it is winter, it will be cold. As I mention step three, I feel I am rushing ahead of myself. Allow me to try and complete the first two steps in good health and I will elaborate on steps three to five and beyond. Each step is an adventure in it’s own right.

note-you-are-an-explorerI Believe

This journey is the real one, the big thing. I haven’t yet looked at maps and I am inexperienced in this type of adventure. But there is one thing in my favour: belief.

I am a believer.

Am I crazy? Or just a believer? Maybe a little bit of both.

With love and dreams,

Jamie

P.S. My map is now live, see it here.

16 Comments

  1. kedar 10/08/2013 at 07:01 - Reply

    Hi Jamie, i am mesmerized by your adventure stories !! We have such a big planet which can be seen from Moon and still if we keep on repaying loan of 1000 Sq feet flat for whole life, i think it is disrespect of the creator. !! i think you are making him proud by living to the fullest. Keep it up. If in future you have any plans for india, let me know.. I will join you!!

    • Jamie 11/08/2013 at 08:30 - Reply

      Thank-you Kedar, I am glad that you like the stories. I hope to visit India one day, I just don’t know when yet.

  2. josh 28/07/2013 at 20:04 - Reply

    One word INSPIRATIONAL.Hoping to quit my dead end job in bournemouth next year or in 2015 and head for a new life on the road.Good luck and stay safe.

  3. Melanie Murrish 22/07/2013 at 10:20 - Reply

    Hey Jamie, have the media been interested in your journey; I know you’re not doing this for the glory, but just thought I would get in before you’re famous! 😉

    • Jamie 25/07/2013 at 20:53 - Reply

      I have never shared it with any media, just here on my blog. I’m open to anything (you flatterer, ha)

  4. paweł 21/07/2013 at 00:05 - Reply

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRhq-yO1KN8

    thanks for what you wrote 🙂
    good lock !!!!

  5. Kevin 12/07/2013 at 03:32 - Reply

    Jamie,
    I can’t agree more with your philosophy about ‘disregarding society and my master’s degree.’ Too many folks are so entrenched in the hamster wheels of life that they never get out and actually LEARN anything through gritty, dirty travel. I’m Going to subscribe to your blog because I think you’re going to post some very interesting tales in the near future.

    • Jamie 25/07/2013 at 20:35 - Reply

      Thanks Kevin. I hope you find some interest in what I find in the world.

  6. Michelle 09/07/2013 at 19:22 - Reply

    Awesome! I can’t wait to hear about your adventures—I’m sure they’ll be amazing! Good luck 🙂

  7. Rachel 09/07/2013 at 16:44 - Reply

    Good luck Jamie (and the awesome people going with you)! I can’t wait to hear about your new experiences on the road. Remember your eye patch!

  8. Ashley 09/07/2013 at 13:27 - Reply

    You might be a little crazy but the best people in the world are. Good luck on your adventures…can’t wait to hear about it!

  9. Jenna Longoria 09/07/2013 at 12:56 - Reply

    I love it. I think what you are doing is more sane than what most the population is currently doing. You are probably crazy too, yes-but then again I don’t know you. Enjoy tramping the globe.

    • Jamie 25/07/2013 at 20:33 - Reply

      A little bit crazy is OK right?!

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