Recently I emailed Jason Lewis regarding my expedition with some questions and he was kind enough to take the time to reply to my questions. Here is what I asked him.
What kept you motivated whilst you were traveling such extreme distances?
When there was very little change in surroundings, like on the Atlantic ocean leg, we set little mini-targets in the tangible future to motivate ourselves towards. These ‘psychological carrot’s, as we called them, might be a cup of tea and a chocolate at the end of a two hour pedal shift, or a nip of Scotch every five degree line of longitude we crossed, and helped to break up the massive distance to Miami. A target 4,000 miles away, where not much changes in between, is a hard one to stay focused on.
What is the most useful piece of kit you had when you were traveling?
Probably a small bottle of iodine, for purifying water in developing countries. And a head torch.
What should I bear in mind when walking long distances?
I never walked very far with Expedition 360 - nothing like what you’re taking on. But assuming the principle for any human powered locomotion is the same (slow and monotonous), I’d have thought that breaking the journey down into smaller chunks, or stages, will be important, so as not to get disillusioned by the seeming lack of progress on a day to day basis. And the key to success will be connected to how adaptable you are to unforeseen circumstances; how ready you are to change plans and go in a completely different direction (metaphorically speaking) if need be. Preconceptions can be dangerous.
How are you earning a living now you are back from your traveling?
Being creative. Trying to write a book living as cheaply as possible.
What is it like to settle back down after traveling for so long?
Very hard. One of the problems about removing oneself for so many years from any one cultural base is the concept of ‘home’ becomes blurry. I don’t know where home is anymore. I have friends all over, but not in one physical location. I think everyone has a need for an anchor line to local community, and although family still live in the UK, I can’t really say that the UK feels local anymore. So I’m still working on that one.
I for one am looking forward to what he releases when he has finished writing it. I hope you will check him out as well. His website is www.expedition360.com
