Own Experiences: I love sharing my travel tales. BOOT and BIKE reflects how I like to escape and is also a response to many requests about my journeys. The concept is to help everyone enjoy the most original, environmental and rewarding way to travel, by BOOT and BIKE, and to share their experiences and ideas on our BLOG.
Inclusive: booting and biking has no rules, no age barriers, is not necessarily expensive and is as suitable for solo travellers as it is for couples, families, or groups – you don’t have to have expensive techno-kit, or be a lycra-clad eco warrior.
Solo Travelling: the topic I’m most asked about, as it’s still daunting for some and unfairly expensive for all solo travellers, despite increasing numbers of people travelling on their own. BOOT and BIKE is a great way to meet people and beats lying solo on a beach. BLOG: What’s the best way to travel on your own?
Environment: you’re burning calories, not carbon, so you can’t get much more carbon neutral, particularly if you BOOT and BIKE to and from your destination, or use public transport.
FORGET FLYING: flying and green travel is one of the biggest oxymorons of our time. To save the emissions from a return flight between Birmingham and Nice you would have to wash clothes at 30 degrees for nine years – think about it!
BLOG Carbon Comparison and Why flying is Incompatible with sustainable travel
Even if you are not swayed by environmental damage, there are other reasons to avoid flying:
- Boots and bikes = activity kit; activity kit + ‘budget’ airlines = high extra baggage charges
- European high speed trains are far more comfortable, reliable and often faster between cities
- Couchettes on overnight trains for families and groups can work out very cheaply per person http://www.seat61.com
Indulge: environmentally friendly yes, Spartan no: booters and bikers burn calories, not carbon, so you can reward yourself with as many goodies – cakes, pastries, chocolate – as you want. Cake/tearoom stops have always been an essential element of traditional walking/cycling trips. See our favourites on BLOG The Tearoom: As Integral to Booting and Biking as a Rucksac and a Bike Pump?