Anneliese & Jo

Two months ago we left our beloved bicycles packed up in the bedroom of a kind stranger in Tbilisi, Georgia. We had received the news of ill health back home, so booked flights ASAP. We explained our situation, that we weren’t sure when we’d be back to collect them, and Tamaz from @warmshowers_org was still generous enough to accept and house our bikes indefinitely. Absolute legend! We’re bringing him a thank you pack of Aussie classics to express our gratitude, including @nestle Milo @vegemite @arnottsbiscuits Tim Tams and ANZAC bickies 🤤 Today we fly back to Tbilisi to bring our bike babies home! 🚲🚲 FYI After three surgeries, Dad’s now cancer free 🥳

The friends you meet riding a bike 👌👌👌👌 ~ Somewhere in Georgia 19/4/19 • • • • • • • • #bikewander #worldbybike #cycletouring #visitgeorgia @quocshoes @mainstream_msx

Joey's Dad Pete has been diagnosed with bladder cancer and goes in for a second round of surgery this week to remove more of the tumor. The first op went ok but knocked him around. So it's been a mixed few weeks and we've made a quick decision to fly back to Australia. Day to day, he's in good spirits, still out doing farm work and working as hard as ever in his full time accounting and ag eco business. We can't imagine that feeling of not knowing what's to come. But, he's a tough old rascal so our hopes are high for a quick recovery! We're home to support the family, help out on the property and advocate for him within the health system. We made a last minute decision to leave our bikes with a @warmshowers_org host in Tbilisi which we're very grateful for, however we've got a one way ticket, so who knows when we'll be on the road next. Thanks to everyone for your support so far to keep us rolling, especially for spreading the word and donating to our charity @brainfoundationoz , who we've raised $3190 for so far. They do an amazing job funding high quality research into neuro diseases. Just like bladder cancer where tens of years of research has resulted in Pete's tumor being diagnosed and treated quickly, every disease out there has a research base and needs more funding, to help alleviate suffering and eventually find a cure. So for the moment we'll keep posting photos, blogs and videos from the past six months on the road, we've had a wild ride from London to Georgia - 195 days, 12 countries, 5500 clicks, 65,000 vertical meters and countless friends met. To keep our legs strong we'll start building our off road bikepacking setups and mountain biking back home, in between spending much needed time with family which we've missed over the past four years abroad. "Pete is a tremendous original 'Crocodile Dundee' - Fighting with crocs, wrestling with buffalo, fixing boat engines with beer can rings & fishing & fishing & fishing. If ever I was stranded on a desert island, I would prey it would be with Peter Platts - Lots of love - Jane xx" Watch this space ❤

This old Georgian charmer swept us right off our feet.. errm wheels! 😘 it's a pleasure cycling through tiny villages over here, the elderly folk just throw their hands up and laugh at us pedalling by... or tell us we're going the wrong way... with of course the obligatory tyre pressure check 🚵‍♂️✌🚵‍♀️ • • • • • • • • • • • #cycletouring #visitgeorgia #bikepacking #fujifilm #xh1 #portrait #elderly #colour

Not feeling the blues today with my head in the clouds and my feet sinking into the sky! 🎶 Blue lips... blue veins... blue, the colour of our planet from far, far away... @reginaspektor • • • • • • #cycletouring #bikewander #worldbybicycle #roamtheplanet #visitgeorgia #goderdzipass #mainstreammsx #quocshoes

Already in a rush to get away from the snow in daylight we were held back many times for parts of the dirt road that had simply turned into rivers due to the melting snow. We all had drenched shoes and freezing feet but it was definitely one of the best downhills so far. • Words and shots from the Bauerbird @onewaynoticket • #cycletouring #bikepacking #quocshoes #mainstreammsx #bikewander #worldbybike #fromwhereiride #roamtheplanet

Goderdzi Pass is a high mountain pass in the Ajara Autonomous Republic of southern Georgia at 2025m above sea level. • The gravel road is open to all vehicles willing, but strongly recommended only for high clearance, 4wd vehicles. In Springtime, the road turns into a river. • Avalanches, heavy snowfalls and landslides occur often, so bring your thermos just in case! • • • • • • • • • • #cycletouring #bikepacking #fromwhereiride #fujifilm_xseries #bikewander #worldbybike #quocshoes #mainstreammsx @mainstream_msx @quocshoes

Day 189 ~ 33km ➡️ 1255m ⬆️ ~ Goderdzi Pass, Georgia. • Left camp at midday, whoops! 😅 Cycled upstream through rivers of melting snow and gravel. Dodgy unpaved roads, dodging pot holes, streams, cows and children screaming helllloooo! Emergency noodles with tuna and fried eggs for lunch. • Sunshine & blue skies, finally. Beautiful big farm house with eclectic mixes of wood, corrugated iron and cement blocks. Funky old trucks. Locals dumping rubbish into the rivers. • Tunnelled through the snow piled high either side of the road, finally reaching Goderdzi Pass. Actually one of the hardest climbs of the trip. • @nikulit.ge gave us a longneck up top to celebrate, thanks man! No food left, next town 18km away. Three knee deep river crossings on the road left everyone’s feet soaked through and frozen. • At dusk we find a home cooked restaurant, they fill our stomachs, defrost our feet and we camp on the lawn. Heaven sent! Anneliese 13/04/19. • • • • • • • • #cycletouring #bikewander #worldbybicycle #goderdzi #bikepacking #visitgeorgia @quocshoes @mainstream_msx @onewaynoticket @dismoi10sacoches

Day 188: 44kms along 896m up. Unremarkable day with remarkable people following Acharistskali River east from Batumi on the old road to Tbilisi. Smoked mackerel for lunch, 6 Lari pp. Big trucks and dusty roads with dirt, gravel and tar. Filtered water from the tap as full of floaties. Lovely people all the way smiling and waving and excellent views. Feels like Spring! Camping in farmers front paddock next to river, dinner under tarp with @onewaynoticket & @dismoi10sacoches while raining. Joey. 12/04/19 • • • • • • • • #cycletouring #cyclepath #bikewander #visitgeorgia #backroads #fujifilm_xseries @mainstream_msx

The locals say it goes -40°C here in Winter 😅❄☃️🌨🚴‍♂️ • • • • • • • #worldbybicycle #bikewander #cycleturkey #cycletouring #fromwhereiride @quocshoes @mainstream_msx

The Doğu Ekspresi is one of Turkeys slowest trains 🚂 it's regarded as a modern Orient Express but without the murder 😅😏 still an intriguing adventure with many tiny villages and grand landscapes passed. • We caught it last week due to visa constraints and saved a shitload of time and elevation to depart Turkey in time. It was easy to load our bikes and super cheap for a sleeper cabin for four. • Highly recommend choo-choosing it for your next locomotive adventure. • Kayseri ~ Kars ~ 800kms ~ 18hrs ~ €7 • • • • • • • • • • #doğuekspresi #train #locomotive #natgeoyourshot #orientexpress

A classy trot through NW Turkey with Tom @onewaynoticket 3 days ~ 272kms ~ 4190m elevation 👌 • • • • • • • • • #bikewander #cycletouring #worldbybike #visitturkey @quocshoes @mainstream_msx