Stats
Europe
(London to Istanbul)
(London to Istanbul)
1st pass: 5010 km / 4 months
2nd pass: est. 4000 km / 3½ months
2nd pass: est. 4000 km / 3½ months
The Middle East
(Istanbul to Cairo)
(Istanbul to Cairo)
3236 km / 2½ months
Africa
(Cairo to Cape Town*)
(Cairo to Cape Town*)
14,969 km / 9 months
South America
(Ushuaia to Cartagena)
(Ushuaia to Cartagena)
16,783 km / 12½ months
Central and North America
(Panama to Prudhoe Bay)
14,331 km / 9 months
(Panama to Prudhoe Bay)
14,331 km / 9 months
Australia
4116 km / 3 months
Asia
(Indonesia, Singapore to India, Hong Kong to The Caucasus)
23,875 km / 21 months
* I spent three months in Cape Town, this was the only occasion I stayed in one place for any significant length of time during my journey.
| Distance cycled | 86,209 km (53,567 miles) over 6 years |
| Countries | 75 |
| Borders | 102 |
| Passports | 3 |
| Journals | 23 |
| Unpaved distance | 11,248 km |
| Top speed | 78.9 km/hr (Paso Libertadores, Argentina) |
| Longest distance in one day | 209 km (130 miles) – Namibia |
| Lowest point | 423 m (1388 ft) below sea level (Dead Sea, Jordan) |
| Highest point | 5119 m (16,795 ft) above sea level (Abra Loncopata, Peru) |
| Favourite place | Impossible to say! However the most memorable countries for me were those very different to home, often places with a history of isolation: Ethiopia, Myanmar and Mongolia are good examples. |
| Toughest climb | Perhaps La Esperanza to Miran de Alto, Ecuador (2000 m continuous climb, average grade 8%, unpaved) |
| Lowest Temperature | Minus 34°C (minus 29°F), Mongolia |
| Highest Temperature | 46°C (The Omo Valley, Ethiopia) |
| Highest wind speed | 68 mph (Patagonia -measured with kestrel WM) |
| Books read | 168 |
| Most days without a break | 20 (Patagonia) |
| Most days without a shower | 11 (Africa) |
| Body weight – highest / lowest | 80 kg (prior to departure) / 66 kg (Peru) |
| Other cycle tourers I met en route | 534 (incl. 240 in Asia, 262 in the Americas) |
Bike Bits
| Bike Part | Number |
| Punctures / Flats | 221 |
| Tyres | 26 |
| Longest distance on one tyre | 15,793 km (Schwalbe Marathon Extreme) |
| Broken spokes | 29 |
| Inner Tubes | 69 |
| Chains | 14 |
| Pedals (sets) | 10 |
| Brake pads (sets) | 20 |
| Chainwheels (front and back) | 5 and 4 |
| Shifters | 2 |
| Rear Rohloff Hubs | 5 |
| Bottom Brackets | 6 |
| Cables (sets) | 16 |
| Racks (front and back) | 3 and 3 |
| Panniers – sets (front and back) | 4 and 3 |
| Rims (front and back) | 3 and 2 |
My Bedrooms
Slept for free – 63%
In my tent – 45%
In people’s homes – 29%
(that includes family and friends, strangers who invite me in off the road or people I have contacted via travel networking websites like warmshowers.org or couchsurfing.com)
In my tent – 45%
In people’s homes – 29%
(that includes family and friends, strangers who invite me in off the road or people I have contacted via travel networking websites like warmshowers.org or couchsurfing.com)
I have slept in a wide variety of less traditional bedrooms including, but not limited to, police stations, hospitals, schools, churches, monasteries, convents, army barracks, a crocodile farm, a water storage tank, a derelict castle, a mine and inside a shed with a water buffalo.
Finances
Total Cost of VISAs, departure taxes, registration, new passports: 1436 pounds (2026 dollars)
Cost of VISAs per continent:
Asia: 943 pounds
Africa: 274 pounds
The Americas: 39 pounds
Australia / Europe: free
Monthly average spent on accommodation: 55 pounds
It’s difficult to say with accuracy how much I’ve spent on food, though this has easily been my biggest expense. Other significant costs include replacement parts for my bicycle and replacement equipment – tents, stoves, clothing etc.
Sweta Kandari
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short on words right now, but I have utmost respect and "you have inspired me" beyond what I can describe !!! I salute your spirit and will phew !!!! 6 years!! wow… I am 25 now and i am definitely pumped up !!! 🙂 🙂
ADELINA
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Great summary! It is amazing what you are doing! And you're almost back home!
James
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'In a shed with a water buffalo' just about sums up a world cycle Steve – classic. Mega congrats on this epic achievement. Very well done indeed!
Benjamin Hargis
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Wonderful post, just stumbled across your blog. Impressive stats too, it appears, like me, you are particularly hard on a bike. Best of luck in your finish and I look forward to more post!