Plotting a route around the world

[XC Rider]

So I've been seriously kicking around the idea of a RTW trip in the near future, and while I have no problems coming up with countries and sights that I'd like to hit along the way, I'm a bit unsure of how/where to start with plotting a course/route. In the previous trips that I've done, I've almost always had a rough route that I layed out prior to departure; I've of course always deviated from my prescribed route at different points along the way to go check out something that I didn't know existed but someone pointed out/suggested along the way. That and all my travels so far have been in the US & Canada, where maps are easy to access. So my question to others who have travelled across South America, Europe, Asia, etc...how have you layed out your route in the planning stages? Contacted embassies and asked for maps? GPS software maps?

Any and all help would be appreciated.

[Witold]

GPS works pretty damn well almost everywhere in the world. Chances are that the paper map is much more outdated.

After that, I'll take a look at Lonely Planet to see what sort of general attractions are available in a country. Then, play it by ear.

I haven't really traveled to countries that are really strict on visas or bikes. But it seems like if you have a carnet, visa and bike title and proof of ownership, you can ride anywhere you want with very few exceptions (egypt, china, vietnam) Most borders are not much harder to cross than US-Canada border.

That said, my advice is to start slow. Having never traveled outside of US/Canada, RTW trips is sort of like a newbie that wants to get into Advanced group on their first track day. Just because ride reports look like fun doesn't mean that you will have much fun.

[willys]

I too have been thinking this in the last few weeks.....I too have travelled across Canada and into the States, now the idea of going around the world has sparked an iterest in me. When you think about it, I have travelled across Canada and up to Inuvik, from the Toronto area. That was 17,500kms for that adventure, this summer I am going back but taking a much more indirect route there and back so the kms will be much greater. So the thought was, you are a third of the way after crossing Canada, whats stopping you from continuing on and riding all the way around.
The question is, which is the best route and why, also which countries are the best to see. I canèt and wont cross the US border any more for reasons regarding a wavier...just not worth the $$$ to me any more, so its best to cross Canada and then Europe and keep heading around from there, but what to see.......
Now someone said Egypts border is hard to cross, why. The pyramids are a huge attraction I would want to see.
Im all ears......
Oh, if you do this on the so called cheap, tenting and so, what would the typical costs be etc.

[andyeverywhere]

When i first started overlanding I was 22, there were no mobile phones, gps, internet and precious-few maps. Honestly, that's the fun of it! Really, you don't need to route plan so aggressively: the world is round - you can't get lost!

Anyway, I highly recommend the new trans-siberian highway to get around the world quickly - you can ship/fly a bike from N.America to South Korea and then take a ferry to Vladivostok. Then there's only one main road (plenty of detours) to Europe from there...

www.earthcircuit.org for more details/inspiration...

[XC Rider]

Originally Posted by Witold

That said, my advice is to start slow. Having never traveled outside of US/Canada, RTW trips is sort of like a newbie that wants to get into Advanced group on their first track day. Just because ride reports look like fun doesn't mean that you will have much fun.

Thanks for the advice Witold.

With regards to "never having travelled outside the US/Canda", I guess I didn't fully explain myself earlier. What I meant to say was that I've never travelled by motorcycle outside the US/Canada. I've actually traveled quite a bit; been just about all over western Europe, a smattering of eastern European countries, the Caribbean, and central America. I'm fluent in English & French, and have an above average knowledge of Spanish, and a minor knowledge of Italian & German. So traveling to/through foreign countries does not really bother/worry me. What I'm struggling with I guess is the immensity of the trip and creating a route around the world. In the past what I've done is gotten paper maps to layout a rough route and then input that route into my GPS software. I like paper maps because I can see more than I can on the computer screen. However, I'm open to suggestions.

[Witold]

Oh, I see what you mean. I have done that as well. Having a big map on the floor really gives you a nice overview. I actually like the Lonely Planet overview maps because they show you where the 'main attractions' are in relation to one another.

Having traveled to South America/etc, I think you probably understand why I recommended something smaller, shorter, and easier to begin.

I think what you should do is figure out a basic route with key 'attractions.' Then, post that map here, HU, and elsewhere for feedback. That's how you will get the best advice as people will get a feel for what you like and what you may be unknowingly bypassing, what you can easily visit along the way, what alternate routes are better, etc...

[XC Rider]

Yeah, I think you're right; I need to just put together a preliminary route (right or wrong) and throw it out there for feedback. Unfortunately I have that personality that likes to get things right the first time! Having done this before (grant it, not on this scale), I should remember how I went through several iterations of a route for each of my previous trips. That and I need to look into getting Lonely Planet books for other parts of the world; my central & south America Lonely Planet have been great resources.

[bush pilot]

The hard part is budgeting the time and money. Then its about living cheap and staying healthy. As you meet people along the way you get more ideas.
Nowadays with all these handheld devices connected to the internet you have a ton of info at your fingertips. The trick seems to be in filtering small chunks of at a time.
Just get on out there and go. The journey will take on a life of its own. Use the tent space resource for meeting some interesting people. Have a variety of resources, not just lonely planet recomendations.
I just spent two weeks running around Malaysia using just homestay/guesthouse refferences and google maps. My gps went konkers. I had a local sim card and data access, but no paper. Had a great time, encountered lots of great people.
Not having a plan is a plan in itself.
Some Chinese dude once said; "the good traveller doesn't know where he is going, the great traveller doesn't know where he has been." Chiang Tsu I think was his name.

Sent from my GT-P1000T using Tapatalk 2

[SeanF]

I'd recommend a big dry-erase map of the world and a pack of dry-erase markers in various colors. With the red marker, fill in the countries that you are just not going to get into (at least without some combination of serious connections/luck/huevos) -- i.e., Saudi Arabia, N. Korea, Iraq (outside of the Kurdish north), etc. Syria might not be the best option at the moment. Other countries make it expensive and/or inconvenient to bring in your own bike and travel independently -- China and Iran spring to mind but there are others.

There is a swath of countries extending from Algeria east to Afghanistan that can be difficult to cross overland (for US passport holders), making the Africa/Asia transition tricky without taking a boat or a flight.

Next with another color highlight the countries that you consider "must-see".

Then connect the dots and make adjustments as needed, and start researching the countries you want to visit or transit. IMO I wouldn't worry about planning down to the individual roads...all of the stuff you want to see has roads leading to it and people driving to see it. If you get lost, ask directions. They may not be right, but it is a great way to travel.

[XC Rider]

Originally Posted by SeanF

I'd recommend a big dry-erase map of the world and a pack of dry-erase markers in various colors. With the red marker, fill in the countries that you are just not going to get into (at least without some combination of serious connections/luck/huevos) -- i.e., Saudi Arabia, N. Korea, Iraq (outside of the Kurdish north), etc. Syria might not be the best option at the moment. Other countries make it expensive and/or inconvenient to bring in your own bike and travel independently -- China and Iran spring to mind but there are others.

There is a swath of countries extending from Algeria east to Afghanistan that can be difficult to cross overland (for US passport holders), making the Africa/Asia transition tricky without taking a boat or a flight.

Next with another color highlight the countries that you consider "must-see".

Then connect the dots and make adjustments as needed, and start researching the countries you want to visit or transit. IMO I wouldn't worry about planning down to the individual roads...all of the stuff you want to see has roads leading to it and people driving to see it. If you get lost, ask directions. They may not be right, but it is a great way to travel.

Ooohhh, I like that idea, thanks!

And I forgot to mention that I'm one of those lucky people with both a blue passport and a burgundy one!

[Future ten]

Originally Posted by bush pilot

The hard part is budgeting the time and money. Then its about living cheap and staying healthy. As you meet people along the way you get more ideas.
Nowadays with all these handheld devices connected to the internet you have a ton of info at your fingertips. The trick seems to be in filtering small chunks of at a time.
Just get on out there and go. The journey will take on a life of its own. Use the tent space resource for meeting some interesting people. Have a variety of resources, not just lonely planet recomendations.
I just spent two weeks running around Malaysia using just homestay/guesthouse refferences and google maps. My gps went konkers. I had a local sim card and data access, but no paper. Had a great time, encountered lots of great people.
Not having a plan is a plan in itself.
Some Chinese dude once said; "the good traveller doesn't know where he is going, the great traveller doesn't know where he has been." Chiang Tsu I think was his name.

Sent from my GT-P1000T using Tapatalk 2

Always my dilema, time and money. Just the thought of a trip like this immediately consumes 6 months ? (and more) I would love to one day do this but just getting back and forth in the states via FL is gonna take me 2 weeks with a ton of super slabs, I guess having disposable income and time being a non issue is the key. Best of wishes on your endeavor, it has to be the "Mt Everest" of bike rides. Some day.....

[JDK111]

Originally Posted by bush pilot

The hard part is budgeting the time and money. Then its about living cheap and staying healthy. As you meet people along the way you get more ideas.
Nowadays with all these handheld devices connected to the internet you have a ton of info at your fingertips. The trick seems to be in filtering small chunks of at a time.
Just get on out there and go. The journey will take on a life of its own. Use the tent space resource for meeting some interesting people. Have a variety of resources, not just lonely planet recomendations.
I just spent two weeks running around Malaysia using just homestay/guesthouse refferences and google maps. My gps went konkers. I had a local sim card and data access, but no paper. Had a great time, encountered lots of great people.
Not having a plan is a plan in itself.
Some Chinese dude once said; "the good traveller doesn't know where he is going, the great traveller doesn't know where he has been." Chiang Tsu I think was his name.

Sent from my GT-P1000T using Tapatalk 2

IMO opinion, Bush Pilot's advice in this post is dead on..... for a motorcycle trip around the world, or visiting somewhere for the first time with your wife and kids. Let the trip take on a life of its own by not being so set in your plans that deviation creates disappointment.
I travel a lot with work and maybe it's because I'm beginning to hate being 'scheduled' when away from home.....but the older I get, when I'm on my own time, the more I - 'Just get out there' and follow the 'Not having a plan is a plan in itself' and trips have never been better.
I'm not saying don't check out LP, Hubb etc. for some info. about border crossing rules or a hotel rating etc. ---- but I see so many people on big trips that won't make a move or do anything without researching it to death on the internet the day before they do it. What a waste.

[MountaineerWV]

No real need for a GPS. Maps are nice, but you can always get info on the ground from locals.

The only thing I look at when I planned my route was entrance requirements and transporting the bike. As a resident from the US, at this time I would not enter Iran/Iraq or Afghanistan. One cannot enter Burma and the cost of riding into China is damn near extortion. One also has to get around the Darien Gap. To ship the bike around those points would require a minimum of 5 to 6 quite expensive sea/air shipments for a full on RTW. Going back to entrance requirements, many nations will require an expensive carnet in Africa/Asia.

I think that flying to a spot, buying a bike so it's registered in a country that has an agreement with surrounding countries which eliminates the need for a carnet, and then selling the bike after touring is the way to go. Talk to locals and research here and the HUBB for points of interest.

To a certain point, I disagree with the person above when it comes to research. I've used other's experience to save myself hundreds and perhaps thousands of dollars when it comes to border crossings, insurance, park entrance fees, etc. Have knowledge, but don't plan your day down to the minute.

[SeanF]

I've used other's experience to save myself hundreds and perhaps thousands of dollars when it comes to border crossings, insurance, park entrance fees, etc. Have knowledge, but don't plan your day down to the minute.

You don't want to exit country A not knowing that country B requires a visa already be in your passport. Country B denies you entry and sends you back. And if your visa for country A is for a single-entry only, and they've just stamped you out...

My GPS was mostly useful in city centers, showing my heading and general location. There was not much detail. In Hama, Syria I remember the GPS (Rino 130) showed the three main roads in the city and nothing else. Actually that was about the level of detail anywhere I used it.

[Witold]

Originally Posted by SeanF

You don't want to exit country A not knowing that country B requires a visa already be in your passport. Country B denies you entry and sends you back. And if your visa for country A is for a single-entry only, and they've just stamped you out...

Anyone know what happens in such scenarios?

This must happen with some regularity?