On the Roads of the World

Darlitia Carlo is an Icebiker and soon she will be a cyclist on a mission to ride around the world. She originally approached me to link to her web site about her upcoming tour. Once I found out her touring plans I took the opportunity to give her the link she asked for and to interview her about her next bicycle touring adventure.

Darlitia out on her bike.
Click to enlarge.

What is it you are planning to do?

I am planning to bicycle from Schiphol Airport (Amsterdam) to Budapest, and if it all goes well, then on to Slovenia, Croatia, Italy, Tunisia, and Southeast Asia. Basically to cycle around the world for a year, if the money holds out and if I hold out.

Why cycling?

When I cycle it makes me feel fun, free, and vibrant with life. I am not just monotonously going through the motions of living, I am actively enjoying the vitality of life. This is the way cycling makes me feel.

What motivated you to do this? Any challenges to overcome in order to go?

My number one motivation is my ever and always present love of travel and a genuine interest in other cultures. My number two motivation is to lose weight as I am vastly overweight at this time in my life. What better way to combine the two than a bicycle tour? People look at me and see my weight as an obstacle. I look at my weight and see it as an incentive.

Did you have to do any special preparations?

Most of the monumental preparations I had to make were mental. One of the heaviest constraints I went through before making this decision was to psychologically prepare myself for the daunting fact of leaving home and what's known for the strange and unknown.

It took 18 years to get up the courage. That's a long time for me to wrap my mind around this idea. This is not a whim for me. Eighteen years of sidling up to this idea and shying away, until finally the desire to complete this endeavor, instead of being an overweight couch potato, overrode all obstacles.

I believe that there is an optimum window of opportunity for all dreams. If not nurtured they will shrivel and die away. When that occurs the most common response is: "I wish I had done ..... oh, I am too old for that now". I am sure it would have been an easier decision to make if I were unhappy in my current life, but my life overall (aside from my weight) is wonderful. Leaving the wonderful for the unknown is what took so long to decide.

Are you excited, scared etc as the big start date approaches?

Gosh, yes! I am changing the course of my life for the next few years to come. I am sure that I will go through every emotion possible before I even step on the plane.

I will be giving up a lovely house, a wonderful job, and leaving my boyfriend of 13 years to cycle around the world for a year. This decision has had one hell of a major impact on my life and those around me.

I am going to do this, regardless, so part of my preparations includes minimizing the impact on my loved ones as much as possible. Fortunately, for me, they are all very supportive of my endeavor.

Any tips for others planning this kind of a trip?

Research, research, research.

There are more in depth answers to most of the questions listed under the "pre-departure section" on my web site called "On the Roads of the World".

Interview with Darlitia Carlo

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