Biking around the world: all our bike routes as a tandem

Hello, just two questions: Have you traveled in complete self-sufficiency mode (especially in the USA), or, like you can easily do in Thailand for example, have you slept in a hotel/motel every night?

Then, about Asia—apart from Japan? I’m thinking of Thailand, Vietnam, Laos—weren’t you tempted?

... just two questions: have you traveled in complete self-sufficiency mode (especially in the USA), or, like you can easily do in Thailand for example, have you slept in a hotel/motel every night?

We actually do travel self-sufficiently, meaning we carry a tent with a large vestibule, sleeping mats, sleeping bags, silk liners, etc. on our tandem.

We’re equipped to cook our own meals: a multi-fuel stove (more versatile than butane/propane canisters), two pots, a kettle, a frying pan, utensils, plates, bowls... and wine glasses 😎. We also have a portable chair, a tablecloth, and a dishwashing kit...

Now, we alternate between different types of accommodation: wild camping (bivouacs), organized campgrounds, the warmshowers.org network, hotels, motels, guesthouses, hostels, youth hostels, etc. In practice, it varies a lot depending on the countries we visit. Lots of bivouacs in Canada and the USA, but also in Japan. More small hotels and guesthouses in Turkey and the Balkans—this lets us explore charming small towns, discover local architecture and culture, and enjoy their cuisine.

But our top priority has always been the amazing encounters we have through the Warmshowers network, all over the world.

I’ve attached a small table summarizing our accommodations since 2013, sorted by country, year, and type of lodging.

And what about Asia, apart from Japan? I’m thinking of Thailand, Vietnam, Laos—weren’t you tempted?

We’re tempted... by the countries we visit! But we haven’t been to Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Pakistan, or India! We also haven’t visited Australia, New Zealand, or any African countries, though Morocco is on our next list.

Instead of trying to see as many countries as possible, we prefer to spend a long time in the ones we do visit. We love crisscrossing countries via backroads, discovering small towns and villages unknown to most tourists. Argentina, Brazil, Japan, Turkey, the USA, and Quebec are the places where we’ve stayed the longest.

When biking, heat can make physical effort particularly tough if the timing is off. We spent 5 weeks in Taiwan in March and April 2024, and it was already unbearable. Plus, we have the most beautiful season on the planet right here in Quebec when the forests are snow-covered and cross-country skiing is at its best. Our bike trips (6 months or more every year since 2013) are scheduled to make the most of our amazing snowy winters first. Then we head out on our bikes around the world... until the next winter. That’s why Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos haven’t tempted us yet!

Are the priced nights necessarily with your own tent, or can you find nights in rented tents or mobile homes?

Thanks for the maps—it’s a goldmine of info, especially for some countries where there isn’t much available online (I’m thinking of South America). Congrats on all these trips, they’re so inspiring! !