While visiting the Omo Valley, I ended up getting stuck in the small town of Dimeka, Ethiopia where I spent an interesting afternoon drinking with a woman from the Hamar tribe. I also wandered around the tribal market. This story outlines my experience in Dimeka. I’ll also talk about a couple of things to see …
Have you ever stayed in a hostel that was so perfect that you wished you could just live there? The kind of hostel with an unforgettable atmosphere, excellent location, and beds as comfortable as your own? This guide is designed to help you have that kind of experience more often. I’ll break hostels down into …
One of the most difficult parts of starting a blog is deciding what you’re going to blog about. The niche(s) you choose play a major role in your blog’s traffic and earnings potential. Most bloggers choose to focus on a single niche while others decide to cover multiple niches on the same blog. So which …
After an unexpected delay in London, I arrived at Amsterdam central train station around midnight. Being the cheap traveler that I am, I figured I’d just spend the remainder of the night wandering around rather than looking for a place to sleep. I didn’t have much of a choice anyway. After all, it was peak …
In the Summer of 2011 at 18 years old, I set out on my first solo trip. For three months I backpacked around Europe through 20 countries. I traveled by train, bus, and boat. In this article, I review my first solo trip. I’ll talk about planning, packing, budgeting, my route, experiences, and more. I’ll …
When it comes to securing your bike’s grips in place on your handlebars, there are two different attachment systems to choose from. This guide outlines the pros and cons of lock on vs slip on grips. We’ll cover slippage, weight, comfort, cost, ease of use, and more. Generally, lock on grips are easier to install …
Handlebar grips play a major role in your bike’s comfort and handling. After all, they are one of only three places that your body makes contact with the bike. Your grips affect your ability to steer, shift, and brake. Riding with the wrong grips can lead to hand numbness, blistering, cramping, and fatigue. This guide …
A few years back, I decided to buy an old steel-framed mountain bike to convert into a touring bike. I ended up getting a Schwinn High Sierra. Mine is a 1986 model. It came equipped with roller-cam brakes. After buying the bike, I took the brakes apart, cleaned them up, then reinstalled them with new …
When it comes to carrying luggage on your bike, cargo trailers offer a great alternative to panniers for some tours. The best trailer for you depends on the amount of gear you need to haul, the type of terrain you plan to ride on, the type of bike you’re riding, as well as your personal …
While preparing for a bicycle tour, one of the most important decisions you need to make is how you’re going to haul your gear. Your luggage choice determines how much gear you can carry, how your bike handles, and the type of terrain you can ride. This guide explains all of the pros and cons …