Earth Odyssey Expedition

Getting to Know Russia

Benji — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 02:55:13 +0000

In Nevelsk on the west coast, I rested up in an old, brick hotel for a few days to treat my toe and readjust my gear. Footsteps and chatter and snapping of locks echoing through the corridors like an old prison. From my fifth-level room I looked out over the marina at ... Read on »

Setting Out

Benji — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:34:14 +0000

When I arrived in Japan in January ’08 after the long cycle through South East Asia and China, it felt like being on R&R; I could relate to people on level ground, no longer a freak-show and I could let my guard down. Now I awaken to new cultures, face new challenges. The holiday is ... Read on »

Sayonara Japan!

Benji — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 12:24:39 +0000

Greetings from the Russian Far East!

I’m set to begin the second stage of my journey, albeit later than I had intended because I’ve struggled to meet my own deadline with the complicated preparations for this leg pushing my start date deeper into winter and presenting a greater challenge to plan for.

I intended ... Read on »

Tsunami Boats

Benji — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:39:36 +0000

Five days after the March 11 tsunami I visited the south-east coast of Hokkaido to see the results. I recently got around to processing the film from that trip, which reveals the damage sustained at one tiny fishing port. The boats were out of the water during the winter. The water blasted through the inlet ... Read on »

Leg 2 Final Preparations

Benji — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 13:31:59 +0000

It has been a while coming but since completing the first stage of the journey to Japan I have managed to pull myself from financial doom and set my focus again to life on the road. I am now in the throes of final preparations for leg 2 of this expedition. I have a lot ... Read on »

Earth Odyssey on Facebook

Benji — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 01:04:14 +0000

Stage two (cycling from Japan to Europe) of my world circumnavigation is about to commence. I’m going pro on Facebook with this dedicated page for the journey: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Earth-Odyssey/152143244868652?sk=wall

I have some big adventures planned for the next stage and I’m really looking forward to living the simple life again. Expedition updates and blog entries will ... Read on »

Pen & Ink Sketches Japan

Benji — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 13:18:36 +0000

Roaming the streets in Hokkaido, Japan. These sketches are done on location with pen, brush and black Indian ink. The winter scenes show ice crystal patterns that formed in the ink wash while sketching in sub-zero conditions ... Read on »

Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14 Review

Benji — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 04:30:39 +0000

‘How’s the Rohloff holding up?’

After building my bike and cycling halfway round the world, interest in the Rohloff SPEEDHUB has become an FAQ (more than the bike itself). So here’s my review to answer that question.

When I started considering the bike I would need for a world journey, there was nothing on ... Read on »

Hilleberg Akto Tent Review

Benji — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 04:29:50 +0000

My first tent was a two-person, four-season Wild Country. It was a shelter for serious adventurers and climbers and It was a big investment for a 14-year-old, but I loved it. Over a ten year period I spent more than a year of my life in it, but eventually it fell apart. The waterproof ... Read on »

Surly 1×1 Bike Frame Review

Benji — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 04:29:04 +0000

Touring bikes withstand a lot of pressure and on crappy roads, take a lot of abuse. There are many options when it comes to frames but the most important considerations if you’re heading of the beaten track, is strength and repairability. That means weldability — steel.

Not so long ago, chromoly steel was the ... Read on »