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Travelogues from lonely cyclist Erik Nomden

The Red Island - Cycling in Madagascar (2017)

Willem Hoffmans and I will make a bicycle tour on the Red Island the next four weeks. Madagascar is a unique island in every respect. Because of its geographical isolation for millions of years there is a unique and diverse flora and fauna. Besides, the people that inhabit the large island also have their own unique cultures, housing, arts and music.

Cycling in Madagascar

The Elements - Cycling in Iceland (2017)

Iceland looks like a divine geological experiment. Earth, water, fire and air: the elements are represented here in their most extreme manifestations. The earth is literally torn apart by the divisive forces from the depths of the earth and at the same time it is covered by snow and ice most of the time. Water is falling from the sky, flows to the ocean in majestic rivers, tumbles down in dramatic waterfalls or squits into the air as geysers. Fire is bubbling continuously under the surface, but can burst into the sky at all times by one of the many volcanoes. Air is the element that I am confronted with most frequently as a cyclist, when the wind is raging over the mountains and plains of the fascinating island.

Cycling in Iceland

Two Lonely Cyclists (2016)

After four years it is finally going to happen. For the first time Margarita and I go will embark on a bicycle journey together. It will be the first time for Margarita that she will do a bike trip of more than one day and it will be the first time that she will cycle on a fully loaded bicycle.

1) Cycling in Austria
1) Cycling in Germany
1) Cycling in Italy

The backroads of Portugal (2016)

Marco Duiker and I embark on a small bike trip through the rustic heartland of Portugal. Rural Portugal has always been the place for the melancholy of the saudade, but now the youth has almost entirely left the countryside of Portugal, it is probably stronger than ever before.

1) Cycling in Portugal

Journey to Lalibela - Ethiopia (2015)

A journey to the heart of Dark Africa. Bike tour with Marco Duiker, Willem Hoffmans and Marc Dirckx in Ethiopia. From the big rumbling capital Addis Abbeba we go back in time, following small unpaved backroads through mediaevil style villages, leading to the glorious old testament evoking atmosphere of the rock-hewn churches from Lalibela.

1) Cycling in Ethiopia

The long Road (2011/2012)

Part I: Cycling through South America.
During sixteen months I am cyling through numerous mountainous and volcanic areas, deserts, rain forests, cities and villages in North, Central and South America.
The first three weeks of the journey I ma passing through the intensely green tropical mountain landscapes of Ecuador.

Part 1) Ecuador

The long Road (2011/2012)

Part 2: Peru
During sixteen months I am cyling through numerous mountainous and volcanic areas, deserts, rain forests, cities and villages in North, Central and South America.
Peru is one of the most beautiful and adventurous cycling destinations with numerous high passes, immense highlands, deserts and tropical rain forests. Wonderful cities, villages and archeological sites are testimony of the Indian and colonial history and the people are as diverse as the landscapes and cties and villages.

Part 2) Peru

The long Road (2011/2012)

Part 3: Bolivia
During sixteen months I am cyling through numerous mountainous and volcanic areas, deserts, rain forests, cities and villages in North, Central and South America.
Bolivia is the most 'extreme' country of South America in a lot of ways. It is the most 'Indian' of the Andes countries, the most revolutionary and it has got the lowest population density. It is also one of the most adventurous cycling destinations in the World, culminating in the legendary Salar and Lagunas route.

Part 3) Bolivia

The long Road (2011/2012)

Part 4: Chile and Argentina
During sixteen months I am cyling through numerous mountainous and volcanic areas, deserts, rain forests, cities and villages in North, Central and South America.
Chile and Argentina are geographically very interesting countries. From the driest desert in the World, the Atacama desert, I am passing through mediterranean landscapes and the Lake and Volcano District and the wild (sub)arctic landscapes of Patagonia to Tierra del Fuego, the far south of Soth America.

Part 4) Argentina and Chile

The long Road (2011/2012)

Part 5: Colombia
During sixteen months I am cyling through numerous mountainous and volcanic areas, deserts, rain forests, cities and villages in North, Central and South America.
After nine months cycling to Tierra del Fuego I am back in Quito, Ecuador, again, This time to ride north, through Colombia to Central America.

Part 5) Colombia

The long Road (2011/2012)

Part 6: Central America
During sixteen months I am cyling through numerous mountainous and volcanic areas, deserts, rain forests, cities and villages in North, Central and South America.
I am going by boat to Panama over the San Blas islands, from where I want to ride through Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El salvador and Guatemala to Mexico.

Part 6) Central America

The long Road (2011/2012)

Part 7: Mexico.
During sixteen months I am cyling through numerous mountainous and volcanic areas, deserts, rain forests, cities and villages in North, Central and South America.
I have reached Mexico. From the rain forests in the south to the scorching deserts in the north, I would find a country with a fascinating history in which the aesthetic and spiritual Mayans, the warriors of the Aztecs and the gold-hungry Spaniards left the most visible imprints.

Part 7) Mexico

The long Road (2011/2012)

Part 8: United States of America.
During sixteen months I am cyling through numerous mountainous and volcanic areas, deserts, rain forests, cities and villages in North, Central and South America.
After a year of cycling I reach the United States of America. We all know the country from the news, the movies and the music. But how is it to really be there? I have got three months time to explore a number of interesting regions of America and her inhabitants.

Part 8) United States of America

The long Road (2011/2012)

Part 9: Canada.
During sixteen months I am cyling through numerous mountainous and volcanic areas, deserts, rain forests, cities and villages in North, Central and South America.
It is already autumn and the first snow flakes already fell from the sky in Montana. But now I have reached the border of Canada, I want to see the wilderness of Banff and Jasper as well. It would be a fitting finale to the long journey.

Part 9) Canada

Scanuppia and other trips near Lago di Garda (2010)

Daytripping in the mountainbike paradise of Lake Garda: Spectacular routes to the Monte Tremalzo and Monte Baldo as well as an attempt of the infamous Scanuppia - possibly the steepest road in the world:

1) Daytrips in the Lake Garda area
2) The Scanuppia: the steepest road of the World?

The Lonely Cyclist in the Pyrenees (2010)

Travelogue of my bike journey to the Pyrenees and the double traverse through the Pyrenees. The Spanish Pyrenees from east to west and the French Pyrenees from west to east. Famous Tour de France and Vuelta cols but also exciting off-road biking:

1) Cycling from Holland to the Pyrenees
2) Cycling in the Spanish Pyrenees
3) Cycling in the French Pyrenees

Europe on two wheels (2009)

Travelogue of my 6.730 km cycling odyssey through Germany, Austria, Italy and France. Cultural and natural highlights and some of the most spectacular cols of Europe:

1) Cycling from Holland to Italy through Germany and Austria
2) Cycling from the Italian Alps to Sicily
3) Cycling in Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica
4) Cycling from Southern France back to Holland

Shanti Shanti - India & Nepal (2008)

Travelogue of our cycling and trekking journey through Northern India and Nepal. Cultural highlights, meeting loads of interesting people and great atmosphere. Cycling and trekking through the dazzling Himalayas:

1) Cycling in Rajasthan - India
2) Cycling from Varanasi (India) to Pokhara (Nepal)
3) Walking the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal
4) Cycling in Nepal

The Lonely Cyclist in the Alps (2007)

Travelogue of my bicycle journey through the Alps from east to west. More than three thousand kilometre cycling across the big cols of the Alps from Vienna to Nice and Avignon. Famous Tour de France and Giro d'Italia cols but also some exciting dirt trails:

1) Cycling in Austria
2) Cycling in Slovenia
3) Cycling in the Dolomites
4) Cycling in the Swiss and Italian Alps
5) Cycling in the Italian and French Alps

Discovering Albania (2007)

Travelogue of my bike journey with Marco Duiker, Marc Dirkx and Willem Hoffmans through Albania. Meeting the people and spirit of Albania. Half a World away in a different part of Europe:

1) Cycling in Albania and Greece

Arctic Dreams - Cycling to the Nordkapp (2006)

Travelogue of my bike journey from Stavanger to the Nordkapp along fjords and icecaps, across islands and highlands:

1) Cycling from Stavanger to Trondheim
2) Cycling from Trondheim to the Noordkapp

The Wheel of Life - Indian Himalayas (2005)

Travelogue of my bike journey with Jeroen van Meijgaarden and Willem Hoffmans through the Indian himalayas, across some of the Worlds highest passes. A world of Tibetan buddhism and incredible mountain landscapes in the Indian Himalayas:

1) Cycling from Shimla to Manali and Leh
2) Across the Khardung La to the Nubra Valley
3) Cycling in Spiti and Lahaul
4) Cycling from Manali to Amritsar

Highlands & Volcanoes - Massif Central (2004)

Cycling through a world of hills, gorges, volcanoes, highlands and beautiful villages in atmospheric Massif Central in France with Willem Hoffmans:

1) Cycling in the highlands of the Massif Central
2) Cycling in the volcano landscapes
3) Cycling back across the highlands

Blue Skies and Dust Trails - South America (2003)

Three months cycling in the Andes in Peru, Bolivia & Chile. Travelogue of a journey through the deserts, jungles, mountain ranges, volcano landscapes, cities and the Altiplano. Cycling, trekking and climbing through the adventure wonderland of the Andes in South America:

1) Cycling in Central Peru
2) Trekking and cycling in Southern Peru
3) Climbing and cycling in Bolivia
4) Cycling in Northern Chile
5) Cycling in Central Chile

Rock the Casbah - Morocco (2003)

Travelogue of a cycling journey from the Marrakech across the Atlas into the deep Saharan desert: a journey to the heart of mysterious Morocco with Marco Duiker and Willem Hoffmans:

1) Across the Atlas from Marrakech to Zagora
2) Through the Sahara from Zagora to Merzouga

La douce France - Cycling to the South of France (2002)

Travelogue of my early spring bike journey to Southern France through Champagne, Burgundy, Massif Central and the Vercors with Willem Hoffmans:

1) Cycling from Holland to Southern France

Via Roma - From Utrecht to Rome (2001)

Cycling travelogue of my journey from Utrecht to Rome with Willem Hoffmans. Across the Vosges, Jura and the Alps into Italy and subsequently through Piemonte, Liguria, Tuscany, Lazio and Umbria:

1) Cycling from Utrecht to the French Alps
2) Cycling from the Italian border to Rome

Santiago and beyond - Cycling to Spain (2000)

Travelogue of my bike journey from Holland to the West and South of Spain. Following a pigrimage to Santiago de Compostela and subsequently cycling through Portugal, Central Spain and across Europes highest cycling road - across the Sierra Nevada - to Gibraltar:

1) Cycling from Holland to Spain
2) Cycling from the Spanish border to Santiago de compostela
3) Cycling through Spain and Portugal from Santiago to Gibraltar