“My rear wheel started to wobble. At first I couldn’t find anything, then I took the rear panniers off, turned Stumpjumper upside down under a shaded bus shelter and saw that his frame was broken, right next to the derailleur cage. I got a rush of blood to my head and heart and fought down an upcoming feeling of panic. I thought the end of the journey had arrived. After losing my bankcard, breaking a camera that couldn’t be fixed anymore, now finally the breaking of my bike. It started to look like I wasn’t meant to do this ride. The thought lived strongly to travel back to Australia”
29 May 2012/River boats at Muang Ngoi Harbour/Laos//Fineliner, watercolour//
About the books
This is the first part of two books about the long road bike tour through Asia and North America. Part one is called:
“Ride into the Mirror//
On Stumpjumper and Trekky through South East Asia.
Sketches & Stories
It is the compelling story of Geert’s ride in 2012, through 4 islands of Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, and the Northern part of Vietnam. He started the ride on his old and beloved ‘Stumpjumper’, and in Thailand had to buy a new bike when the frame of his bike had cracked. From there on, he rode on ‘Trekky’.
This large sized book contains 156 pages, printed on Mohawk Superfine Eggshell, uncoated paper.
Book size: 10x8 in, 25x20cm
Preview and availability at: Blurb.com
The heartbreaker. My cracked M2 Specialised MTB frame on the pavement in Bangkok. Stripped bare. It was snapped up within minutes after discarding it on the pavement in front of the bikeshop//
Front cover;
“Ride into the Mirror”
On Stumpjumper and Trekky through
South East Asia [Stage One]
Sketches and Stories
“On my journey I had one nemesis and it caused a crazy amount of broken spokes, and even a few wheels. The rear wheel forms the cover image”//
And Trekky with new wheels, before its virgin ride. Three days later the rear wheel wobbled again and it had 4 broken spokes. Not long after finishing the Asian ride I had to replace the wheel in Quebec City//