Today is our regular “Monday Featured Travel Blogger” but I am so not sure what to keep calling the blog post? Maybe you could come up with a jazzy heading for next week?
Monday Featured Travel Blogger
On New Life on the Road – or should that be “At New Life on the Road”….see I can’t decide what to call the blog post! Today we are so proud to announce that we got to interview the gorgeous Nancy from “Family On Bikes” – loved reading more about their fantastic journey!
Here is a bit more we found out about why they decided to travel with bikes, what motivated them to keep on going, and their reasons of why they love travelling some much!
Q:- Why did you decide that you had to travel with your boys in 2008, on bikes through 15 countries…why bikes (why not in a vehicle)?
There are many reasons I prefer traveling on bikes – in fact I wrote a long blog entry about that very thing! (http://familyonbikes.org/blog/2011/01/why-i-prefer-traveling-on-bikes/) In short, I like the idea that we can “commune with nature,” as my father used to say. It’s nice being out in Mother Nature’s handiwork. We also enjoy spending time in small villages, something that is very difficult to do when you travel with a motor.
Check out that view ~
Makes one want to get on the road with bikes 🙂
Q:- Did you have a set time frame that you wanted to complete your Journey?
Yes, we knew from the beginning that we would finish our journey in about 2.5 years. We wanted to leave Alaska as early in the summer as possible in order to give ourselves the summer and fall to get south before winter set in. At the end of the journey, we needed to reverse that and arrive in Tierra del Fuego late in the fall giving ourselves summer and fall to get there. Since the seasons are reversed,that meant roughly 2.5 years.
Leaving Prudhoe On Their Bikes ~
Imagine how strong their family unit became on their amazing journey?
Q:- You have travelled for many years, and even lived in Ethiopia when your twin boys were very young. What is the one place that would love to return to, and why?
You’re not serious, are you? You’re not seriously asking me to choose only one? There are a few places that are very special to me for various reasons: Honduras because I lived with a Honduran family for two years, India was the first place I traveled on my own, Ethiopia because we lived there seven years and have very fond memories. Most of the places we’ve been I would happily go back. There are a few I have no desire to return to: Costa Rica, and Taiwan come to mind.
Can You Imagine What They Got To See?
Q:- Now that you are back in America, do you miss the carefree life of travelling and living on the road?
I do miss our travel lifestyle in many ways. It was a special time in our lives and I have very fond memories of those years. However, every time we make the choice TO DO something, we make the choice NOT TO DO something else. Right now, I choose to live in Idaho and am loving it here. I’m fully aware that my decision to live here comes at a cost – we can’t travel if we live here. For now, the benefits and advantages of living in one place outweigh the disadvantages. If that ever changes, we’ll reconsider.
Riding Through the Peru Desert ~
Wonder how much water they would need to carry for that?
Q:- What item was necessary while travelling, and what item could you survive without?
When my husband and I biked in Pakistan and India for a year, we opted to go very lightweight and we didn’t carry a stove. I regretted that decision many times over and now always carry a stove with my on the bike. It’s so worth it to be able to cook your own food when you want! As far as what to leave behind, I have to say a towel. Many travelers claim the towel is essential, but we found we didn’t want to deal with a wet towel so used our t-shirts and then just wore the shirts til they dried.
Q:- If you had your life over again, would you do anything different?
Oh gosh – my whole life to live over? If I could go back to 1987 when I was traveling in South America, I would go to the Galapagos Islands and fly over the Nazca Lines. I was too cheap at the time so didn’t do it. I made up for it this time though. In all, no, I wouldn’t change much. I’ve made the best decisions for me.
Even With All that Riding ~
They Can Still Smile!
About Our Monday Featured Travel Blogger:-
Nancy Sathre-Vogel is mom to Family on Bikes, a family of four who recently rode their bikes from Alaska to Argentina. She is now living in Boise, Idaho and is happy as a clam enabling others to head out to live their dream.
Do You Think That You Could Ride Bikes With Your Family, Travellin The World?
Cheers
Lisa
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A Massive Thanking you sent to Nancy from “Family on Bikes’ and family for sharing their journey of travelling with Bikes. Sure gives me lots of inspiration and different ways to see the world! You can follow their journey over at “Family on Bikes” blog, connect on their Facebook fan page as well as their Twitter page!
Cheers
Lisa
New Life on the Road
PS:- Here are the previous Monday Featured Travel Blogger on New Life on the Road
Monday Featured Travelling Blogger Revealed – Natalie from Features Family In A Van
Travel Blogger – Jess from With 2 kids in Tow
Featured Travel Blogger – Jan from Budget Travel Talk
Featured Travel Blogger At New Life on the Road – Lisa From Gone With The Family
This Week Featured Travel Blogger – Keryn from Walking On Travels
Monday Featured Travelling Blogger Journey – Jeremy from Living The Dream
Featured Travel Blogger Monday – Suzi from Two and A Half Travellers
Oohh. I love reading Nancy’s blog and reading her books! It’s actually her fault that we are camping across the USA at the moment – and what a fabulous influence that was! We are having a ball!! Anyone who follows Nancy’s blog will certainly feel they can do whatever they’ve dreamt of!! Thanks so much for featuring her Lisa!!
Tracey – Life Changing Year recently posted..Favourite Fotos. Jono Asleep On The Bus In Penang!
Hi Tracey,
LOVE That! Nancy sure is great inspiration! So love that you are having a great ball 🙂
Thanks for stopping by here and reading about Family on Bikes journey!
Cheers
Lisa
Oh and I reckon include the person or website being interviewed in your title. That way people can click on the links at the bottom when they want one in particular. At the moment theynallmlook the same – I’m guessing that’s why you asked the question!! Lol
Tracey – Life Changing Year recently posted..Favourite Fotos. Jono Asleep On The Bus In Penang!
Thanks Tracey – thats advice – will do that! I like that you gave such a useful hint/tip – would love to hear about any other changes you would like to see here at New Life on the Road 🙂
Cheers
I have not stamina for bike riding and my neck gets sore, so on that front – NO. But I love the idea of the huge adventure, of having your husband and children along with you, and the fact that it was for 2.5 years. It would be a unique lifestyle.
jan recently posted..Spotlight on Moclin
Hi Jan,
It sure would be fantastic for the family – and such a great way to bring them altogether! The huge adventure would be so much fun, but maybe you could do it on a Motorbike 🙂
Cheers
Lisa
That sounds like an epic effort – I’d say there are very few families who would even think of attempting something like that. Very impressive
Its amazing what can happen when you want to travel 🙂 I reckon that its the best way to raise children – seeing life instead of reading about it!
Thanks for stopping by
Cheers
Lisa
Great blog!! Love the mind-blowing pictures. I genuinely enjoy studying about your trips and journey. Any way Thanks & Good Luck for the next trip!!
Thanks John for your kind words 🙂