I read the Crane's bikes up Kilimanjaro book ages ago and loved it, I've always liked that Bonnington-style expedition attitude. In the 80s a mountain bike was something that offered wilderness travel potential, even if our wilderness was a 25 mile radius of home. I've not found much else like that since, bike touring seems to be about travel, people and great experiences, but little in the way of going where no bike has gone before or pushing way beyond the comfort zone to cross a real wilderness area or mountain range unsupported.
Maybe it's ready for a resurgence with fat bikes opening up routes that weren't possible before. Maybe bikes just aren't that great in places like that, the Cranes did have a lot of hike a bike in their trip. But it was still a fantastic bike adventure imo.

Any recommendations for a good read? And do we think a new age of bike exploration is due with light gear and fat tyres, Mike Curiaks Lost Coast trip for example?

I enjoyed the Cranes' book to a point. I felt at times that their approach lacked a certain "responsibility", and that had they come properly unstuck, that would have been it. The final ending disappointed me too, but that was as much a reflection of the political times they were in I suppose. But the journey and concept was amazing. I've considered the possibility of what it would take to recreate the trip with modern kit and in different times.

Other books: you might like Cris Osbourne's A Gringo's Journey. You'll have to look for one second hand though. If you can't find one, let me know and you can borrow mine.

Thanks Ian, will look it up. I think the necky / irresponsible aspect of their trip is what I liked, a bit like some climbers, Tomaz Humar may have been a resource-drain in some eyes but it's a risk that goes with pushing the limits. It's been so long since I read the Cranes book, will have to read it again.

http://www.adserballe.com/tibet2005.htm this guy's site is interesting.

It's motorbikes, not pedal bikes but Mondo Enduro is a good read.

This autumn I solocrossed Tibets uninhabited Chang Tang. Biked a total of 2400+ kilometers. Had down to -27,3 C at night, roaring wind during daytime, didn't seen human beings for 19 days, dragged my bike over snowy passes up to over 5500 meters, 35 kg. of food on the bike, wolfs howling in the night nearby my tent, etc.

I found Martin Adserballe's site a while back when looking for info for an Asia tour of my own, some time out from work that just didn't happen. Just been back to it, it's an incredible ride he pulled off. The guy has the spirit.. http://www.adserballe.com/pic/tibet2005_1/index36.html

James have you read 'Journey to the centre of the Earth' by the Crane cousins?

i just read every inch of the way by tom bruce.

Its his story of his round the word ride, available on kindle and well worth a read

I think hes ridding the BB200 this year

I think hes ridding the BB200 this year

Entered this afternoon in fact.

s8tannorm wrote:James have you read 'Journey to the centre of the Earth' by the Crane cousins?

I mis-read the first post. It is this book I was referring too. Must pay more attention

s8tannorm wrote:

I think hes ridding the BB200 this year

Entered this afternoon in fact.

I'm glad he's got round to it as I arranged to give him a lift about 3 weeks ago! :)

I knew he'd be up for this sort of thing when went out on Shop ride from Hope. We all hot lifts out there. After a three hour ride we arranged to ride home to Sheffield. I got back at midnight with my cassette jammed full of bracken from a section of cheeky riding where I knew the path was hard to find for a few hundred metres. Tom didn't bat an eyelid about pushing/carrying his bike through head high bracken guided only by a bloke that he'd only just met that night.

It was 'quite' a good mini adventure for a school night :D

s8tannorm wrote:James have you read 'Journey to the centre of the Earth' by the Crane cousins?

No, know of it but not read, any good?
I read a book by Nick Crane recently, well most of it, was a bit dry, haven't finished it. About a walk across the whole Alps.

Tom Bruce, just looked his site up, he's from where I grew up and started mountain biking ) March-Dec around the world.. that's not hanging around much.

Al Humphries and Rob Lilwell's RTW books still rate as the best I've read. Recommended. 'Travels with rosinante' is amusing, a skint Frenchman's 5-year RTW on a real mish-mash bike in the 80s, a random route and trying to get laid at any opportunity. SH on Amazon for about 10p +P+P.

No, know of it but not read, any good?

I really enjoyed it ... very much seat of your pants type stuff.

I read a book by Nick Crane recently, well most of it, was a bit dry, haven't finished it. About a walk across the whole Alps.

Same here, got 3/4 through but then didn't want to bother finishing it.

I think 'Journey' is better than 'Kili' meself. Done on a couple of Raleigh road bikes, but they ride more than they managed on the Kili trip.

Well worth a read when you can pick it up so cheap secondhand.