Name: Fabrice Boone
Residence: Australia
Year of birth: 1964
Bike: Heavily modified KTM Myroon
Riding period: May, June, July, August 2023 starting form Portugal.
Most favourite part:
The whole thing. The EDT is a brilliant kaleidoscope of Western Europ. As always, the more remote it gets the better it gets (for me at least!!!!) Each country had a strong identity of its own, it’s great attributes, and its shortcomings too.
Random thoughts:
In the early 90’s, when I rode Sydney to Paris with my partner, long distance cycling was the very best way to see the world. I am delighted that in 2023 Bike packing, which for me is an evolution of touring, only much better again, has remained a prime way to travel. The reasons would be too many to write about here as the list goes on. The EDT was a truly awesome ride that GPS has made possible, a major advancement for navigation….couldn’t think of completing such a trip with paper maps ( although I love them and they are much better for large scale planning). Over the past 15 month I have bike packed the US Great Divide( GDMBR) , the Tour Aotearoa (New Zeland) and the Hunt 1000 (Australia). The EDT was my favorite out of the 4. The variety of terrains and cycling surfaces ( from fantastic rail trails to utterly unrideable sections that got me swearing in 5 languages! ), the amazing and constantly changing of food, drinks and languages on the way and I could go on, not forgetting trail angels that invite you in for the night if you’re lucky, and other riders you meet and have a good talk and laugh with. Train for it, plan well ( 2.1 inch tyres for me) , have enough cash ( Scandinavia OMG!!!) AND DO IT!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fboone48/