The Bicycling Life: 14 Months of Product Testing

As we gear up for the New Year and some backyard adventure stories (there's still time to submit yours) we present a bicycle-loving couple whose adventure took them as far from their own backyard as possible. In the fall of 2007, Leslie Kehmeier and her husband Chris began a 14-month journey of a lifetime. Their goal was three-fold: travel around the world, share geographic knowledge and promote the bicycle as a sustainable form of transportation. They called their project Bicycle Geography. Leslie writes:

I can’t put it off any longer – I have to do laundry. The luggage has been emptied and the mail sorted - it’s been three days since my husband and I returned home from our ‘round the world bicycling adventure. I don’t know why I’ve been avoiding it. Maybe I don’t want the reflection of a special journey to start too soon; maybe it’s just the smell.

[Leslie with her husband Chris (right) and good friend Scott at the top of Cottonwood Pass. Colorado. Photo: Leslie Kehmeier Collection]

As I heap the pile of clothes on the floor, I am reminded of so many things. Each item has a connection with a certain landscape or an interaction with a local character. We didn’t just wear our clothes, we lived in them. The colors may be faded, but the memory of life between two wheels is now woven in the fabric.

As a self-professed Patagoniac I was giddy when it came to purchasing clothes for our expedition. My husband rolled his eyes when I gave my “style and function” monologue as we set out on the pre-trip shopping extravaganza. “I can look good while I ride for 3-5 hours a day,” I said in the most convincing fashion. Fourteen months later I can report that style took a backseat to function, but each piece of Patagonia clothing made it to the end.

Our journey extended across both sides of the equator, through ten time zones, and all four seasons (not necessarily in the right order). My husband figured that our clothes provided us a temperature range of 75-80 degrees. From the 5th worst spring on record in New Zealand to the pre-monsoon heat of Laos, we used every possible combination of layers. Each item became synonymous with a certain locale. If it’s a White Sol Patrol Shirt, it must be Southeast Asia. First night in the Alps? Better grab the Down Sweater Pullover.

To some, riding a bicycle brings visions of black spandex, printed jerseys, and day-glo vests. What serves the after-work or weekend ride does not necessarily lend itself well to life on the road. Don’t expect a warm welcome at the guest house when you look like you’re in your underwear. Pedaling around the world with your life in panniers requires clothes that can be worn on the saddle, in the tent, and around town. I can confirm that Mystery Pants look just as classy above the top tube as they do standing on a train and the R1 Hoody can be dressed up with a colorful scarf.

While my clothes served me well, the real meaning in the journey came from the true nature of bicycle touring. I didn’t just see the world, I felt it. I saw the sunlight filtering through the trees while coasting downhill; I tasted the sweetness of a glass of homemade wine; I heard the waves of a blue ocean lapping on the beach; I smelled the smoke from the harvest filtering into my nose. I was immersed in my world like never before. As a result I think I have a better understanding of the delicate balance between humans and their landscapes. It’s been a gift and I will carry it with me from here forward.

And so, as the first load of laundry fills the machine, the reflection begins. We lived in and learned about our wonderful world for 422 days. We traveled through 15 countries, and pedaled 9,600+ kilometers. And what about the “style and function” part? It was as much about our mode of transportation as it was the clothes on our backs.

[Soaking up five clear days at Mt Cook. Southern Alps, New Zealand. Photo: Leslie Kehmeier Collection]

Bio: Leslie Kehmeier was a GIS professional who traded her desk for two wheels and four panniers. After traveling the world by bicycle, she and her husband are already planning future human-powered adventures. Her first bicycle was a yellow Schwinn.

To learn more about Leslie and Chris' trip – including blog posts, podcasts, and photos – visit Bicycle Geography.

Comments

[Jeremy]

What an incredible journey!

[Jennie]

Congratulations on your worldly travels, as well as giving us all a little something to think about achieving in our own lives.

[Dan Howitt]

Congratulations amazing!
Dan Howitt

[PatagoniaCommunity.blogspot.com]

Great stuff. I know what you're saying when you wrote that you didn't just see the world, you "felt" it. Bicycling connects you with your surroundings in a completely different way. Happy new year to you.

[Dan Howitt]

"Great stuff. I know what you're saying when you wrote that you didn't just see the world, you "felt" it. Bicycling connects you with your surroundings in a completely different way. Happy new year to you."

Well put, Dan Howitt.

[Dan Howitt]

I forgot to introduce, Dan Howitt, also wanting to say also this is great.
"To learn more about Leslie and Chris' trip – including blog posts, podcasts, and photos – visit Bicycle Geography."
At the bottom of the article are the links.
Thanks so much!

[Dan Howitt]

I forgot to introduce, Dan Howitt, also wanting to say also this is great.
"To learn more about Leslie and Chris' trip – including blog posts, podcasts, and photos – visit Bicycle Geography."
At the bottom of the article are the links.
Thanks so much!

Hey Dan Howitt again, reading more. What an incredible 14 months.
"From the 5th worst spring on record in New Zealand to the pre-monsoon heat of Laos, we used every possible combination of layers."
That's great when you have all the clothing options to maximize comfort and physical activity. Patagonia leads this definitely. They're great at this science!
Dan Howitt

[ExpeditionCO]

I forgot to introduce, Dan Howitt, also wanting to say also this is great.
"To learn more about Leslie and Chris' trip – including blog posts, podcasts, and photos – visit Bicycle Geography."
At the bottom of the article are the links.
Thanks so much!

Hey Dan Howitt again, reading more. What an incredible 14 months.
"From the 5th worst spring on record in New Zealand to the pre-monsoon heat of Laos, we used every possible combination of layers."
That's great when you have all the clothing options to maximize comfort and physical activity. Patagonia leads this definitely. They're great at this science!
Dan Howitt

Welcome Dan Howitt, hey!

[fitnessbikes]

I would love to get a chance for this kind of journey.