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cycle touring in india

Adventurous journeys by bike

Routes, rides and resources for overland expeditions around the world

Welcome to Really Big Bike Ride

Welcome to my overland adventure travel blog. I guess you’re here to learn more about the art of overland travel. After more than a decade of crossing continents by bike, I’ve a few lessons from the road to share to help you get started on an overland adventure of your own.

You’re in the right place.

An Old-Fashioned Bicycle Touring Blogger


Over the years, I’ve written extensive travel journals about each of my cycle tours, including my solo adventures. If you’re looking for stories about a multi-month tour of Europe or a long-distance bicycle tour across continents, or even a five-day coast-to-coast in the UK, we have it covered.

My Ultimate Guide to Bicycle Touring is a good place to start for those planning a first cycle tour. If you’re in the market for an awesome touring bike then don’t read about my Dawes Galaxy (it was discontinued in 2020). Do find out why a steel touring bike is best for long distance bike adventures.

And you really should read about my bikepacking fails – so you can avoid these rookie mistakes. I’ve also written Bike Touring 101 to answer the essential questions and to get you started on a lightweight bikepacking set up.

You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and my Substack for all the latest from the road.

The Mountains are calling! – James

Overland Adventure Travel Enthusiast

My overland adventures started with a humble bicycle ride and, over the years, progressed to include Himalayan motorcycle adventures and even Arabian family road trips. My aim is to share the joy and wonder of overland travel.

In these blog posts, you’ll find everything you need to know about getting set up for long-distance bicycle touring or planning a self-supported motorcycle adventure. Whether you’re looking for RTW bicycle trip resources or curious about riding a motorcycle in India, I’ve shared my first-hand experiences from around the world.

More recently, I’ve found myself living in India as a long-term expat. Having cycled and motorcycled the high Himalayas numerous times, I’ve begun offering guided tours to some of my favourite places.

Join me this summer on The Great Himalayan Motorcycle Tour

Upcoming tours

The Great Spiti Valley Motorcycle Adventure

1st to 15th September

14 days

£2950

Ride the Spiti Valley Grand Loop 13 Days | 1 Rest Day | 1,900+ km of Pure Himalayan Adventure Test your mettle with 13 days of riding cliff roads, river crossings, and high-altitude chaos across Himachal Pradesh, Spiti, Pangi and beyond. A True Himalayan Odyssey. ADV Himalaya This isn’t your average motorbike tour. This is … Read more

Latest blog posts

msr whisperlite multi fuel stove for bike travel

Is the MSR WhisperLite Multifuel the Best Bike Touring Stove?

When it comes to RTW bike travel, a reliable stove is one of the most essential pieces of camping kit you’ll carry After more than a thousand nights under canvas, I learned well what matters in a stove. I’ve tested a dozen different combinations of the best bike touring stoves over the years to prepare … Read more
camping mat vs air mattress header

Camping Mat vs Air Mattress: How to Choose the Best Sleeping Pad for Bike Travel

Sleep is about the most important thing on a bike tour to make sure you’re feeling good and enjoying the ride After a long day in the saddle, nothing matters more than a good night’s sleep. Whether you’re pedalling rugged trails, riding endless tarmac, or tackling Himalayan mountain passes, the right camping mat can make … Read more
bike travel tech stack header

My Bike Travel Tech Stack: Useful Gadgets for Travelling the World on Two Wheels

Essential digital nomad travel kit that I use to create content on the road In the early days of my bicycle touring exploits, I was a traditionalist. Travel tech was a new thing, and I was firmly old school. Still am at heart. Like Jack White, I was an analogue guy. No laptop, no worries. … Read more