DownTheRoad.org
The continuous bicycle touring story since 2002
no plans to stop

file:///D:/4DTR%20Australia/images/DSC09687.JPG

New : Plan : Funding/Cost : Pictures : NewsLetters : Journals Bikes : Gear : My Books : Media : Shopping : About : Contact	Blog RSS Email Newsletter FaceBook
	search DownTheRoad.org Custom Search

The story of how I saved money, quit my job, sold my possessions, and set off to endlessly travel by bike around the world. My Plan

My 3 Books
I write, self publish and sell books about touring

(see all 3 book)

HOME
Where am I?
Videos
Picture Gallery
Journals
Travel Plan
Finances
Shopping
Equipment
My Books
About Me
Media/Press Room
Contact

Photo Use Info

Subscribe to Newsletter
Read Sample
Continue My Travels

Places I have been
(How can I afford this?)

India and Neighbors
May 2010 to present

Alaska / Canada / USA
May 2008 to April 2010

New Zealand
Sept 2007 to May 2008

Australia
Sept 2006 to Sept 2007

SE Asia / China
Nov 2004 to Sept 2006

South America
June 2003 to June 2004

AZ, Mexico, and Central America
March 2002 to April 2003

How I started
The 5 years before I left

Sign up for my RoadNews Newsletter

Written on the road as I travel around the world on my bicycle

*Help Support this Web Site and Continue My Travels.

Equipment Pages Index

Introduction
How Much to Bring and Weight
Some Advice About Advice
A Note to Perspective Sponsors and Gear Suppliers
(See more about Sponsorship)

START HERE for Touring Bikes and Commuting Bicycles
Custom Touring Bicycles and Bike Upgrade Buyers Guide
Bicycle Touring Frames
The Steel Repair Myth.
Steel and Aluminum Derailleur Hanger Repair.
Bicycle Touring Wheels
Phil Wood: The Best Bicycle Hubs

Panniers / Bike Bags
Cargo Trailers Vs Panniers
Tires for Bike Tours..
Bicycle Touring Saddles.
Women's Specific Bike Touring Saddles
Brooks Leather Touring Bicycle Saddle Care and Conditioning
Bike Computer
Touring Handlebars, Bar Ends, Adjustable Stems, and Padded Grips.
Kickstands
Sealed Cartridge Headsets
How to prevent flat tires
Bike Route Trails and Maps

Camping
Buying Camping Equipment
Tent and Ground Cloth
Sleeping Bag
Sleeping Pad
Camp Stove
Pots and Pans
Water Filter
First Aide Kits
Solar Power for Camp

Clothing
Bike Touring Shorts

Electrical
Short-wave Radio
Computer
Internet
mp3
Bicycle touring lights

Books
Packing list
Pictures of Equipment Failures
Shopping

See My Videos Here

You are here: HOME > Indian Subcontinent > Picture Gallery >

Thumbnail Pictures of Bicycle Touring in Bangladesh

(October - December 2011)

Previous Thumbs

Journal for this Picture Page

letter

Next Thumbs

Burimari to Bogra, Bangladesh

(October November 2011)

Our first impression of bicycle touring in Bangladesh was good - Besides a few trucks and buses the country uses pedal power more than any country I have visited so far. Gretchen has to cover up a little more because of the Muslim traditions but the local ladies in the back of the "bike trucks" are very talkative and friendly with her - the men, thinking I speak Bengali, talk my ear off but the women seem to avoid me.

I have learned a long time ago, no matter where I am in the world, the highest ranking officer in charge is the one I want to make friends with - whether it be police or military. This Indian Army officer who oversaw our check out of India was delighted to pose for a picture after some chatting. After I showed him my card he requested I include him in the next book.

This is the most privacy I get at my road side pee stop - there is no place to hide while bicycle touring in Bangladesh. Gretchen just waits until we get a room or a restaurant makeshift bathroom

Tim in action!

It's hard to blend in in Bangladesh. Every time we stop, a crowd gathers to check out the aliens in their midst.

Everything gets hauled by cargo bikes in Bangladesh. This gentleman is carrying a load of eucalyptus logs to be made into furniture.

The hay cycle. We often come across trains of overloaded cargo bikes slowly pedaling hay or bananas to market.

**Mahasthangarh Ruins, Bangladesh**

(October 2011)
The skippy goats and curious cows grazing the grass around the citadel walls makes this a nice place for a walk.	The stream looks rather tranquil in this photo. In reality there was quite a bit of floating trash and a pungent odor that discouraged any wadings
Not much remains beyond the walls, but they look impressively ancient.	The cool grassy gardens at the entrance to the archeological park.

Bogra to Sirajganj, Bangladesh

(November 2011)

Intersection of differing cultures.
Young Islamic students stop to take a look at us.

Girls talking to Gretchen on the side of the road. They tend to be afraid of me but love to talk to a western woman on a touring bike
We got a little turned around on the road to Sirajganj and stopped to ask these high school girls for directions.

**Sirajganj to Madhupur, Bangladesh**

(November 2011)
We were jumping the line between the lanes in a 10km Bangladesh traffic jam when we had to pull behind this truck due to lack of room - not even a touring bicycle could fit. i did not realize I was under these cows until the drool dripped in front of me.	A short cut we took one day after getting caught in a miles-long traffic stoppage. Several people pointed us off on this side road. It took a day and a half to find our way back to the main road.
The ladies and girls in all their lovely colors finally came over for a look. Occasionally an older gentleman will wander in while we eat and it's obvious by peoples' reactions that he's an important fellow in the village. With just a wave of his hand, the crowd will back off and no one goes near our bikes.	Although we were fenced in, we were received plenty of visitors. One young man, upon hearing of our arrival, rushed over to wake us up after 10pm to ask if he could visit us at 6am to discuss the customs and culture of the United States of America. Zig zagging the chaos through Madhupur on the way to the National Park.

Mymensingh to Kishoreganj, Bangladesh

(November 2011)

My touring bicycle with a substitute pannier borrowed from Gretchen's load.
The mosque next door to our hotel was quite modern with its large satellite dish.

The lovely little Kingfisher.

I had a nice ride with this student Imam one morning.

These men are working at a printing press - I guess the one on the phone is taking orders

Child labor is a daily fact of life in Bangladesh. We saw kids carrying heavy loads, working in restaurants and toiling out in the fields. These boys gave us a big smile and wave when we stopped to take this photo.

Bhairab Bazar to Srimangal

(Novemer 2011)
Gretchen is down one pannier since she lent me one after my pannier got stolen in India.	Tea plantations are shady and tranquil places to cycle around.
It takes balance to carry bags around on your head.	Exhausted from a long day of picking.

Chittagong, Bangladesh

(December 2011)

Small boats ferrying people out to larger boats in the Karnaphuli River.
We found the bicycle street in Chittagong. This guy is assembling new bikes on the sidewalk. It could be that there wasn't room in his tiny shop.

This little girl and her mother watched me put on a new a touring bike tire and a bell.

These boys were our waiters. Gretchen wanted to adopt them and make them go to school. They seemed to work all day every day. Even though we couldn't get them to smile for the photo, they're usually laughing and joking all day long.

Our very friendly rickshaw driver, who went out of his way to take us whizzing down interesting streets and point out the sights.

Here comes the flower bike.

**Cox's Bazar Beach, Bangladesh**

(November 2011)
Bangladesh women's beachwear for the very few ladies who venture into the water. No bikinis on this beach! The sunsets in Cox's Bazar are pretty spectacular.	Bangladeshis like to tell you that Cox's Bazar is the longest sandy beach in the world. I wasn't too impressed with the muddy sand at Cox's Bazar.
Bangladesh cycle rickshaws are used to transport people and cargo everyday.	The guy sitting with me is a local business man who wanted to drink tea with us. It's very common to see dyed orange beards like the gentleman's in the background.

Dhaka, Bangladesh

(December 2011)

A cold gray morning in Dhaka.

Art and adventure lovers at opening night of a photo exhibit of mountaineering expeditions.

This is as close to a family man as I ever hope to get. A GF from California and a borrowed baby from the upstairs apartment in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This little boy was very brave and never cried even when the big scary man held him.

**Dhaka to the Indian border, Bangladesh**

(December 2011)
Look at the guy coming up behind Gretchen. His eyes were glued to her open handlebar bag and I'm pretty sure he was ready to stick his hand in. After I took the picture I shouted at him and he jumped back with a guilty look. Here's one thing that I will always remember about Bangladesh: the great crowds of people that form every time we stop. It was a cold morning when we left Dhaka. Everyone was wrapped up in scarves and blankets. Sometimes I wish I could cycle in pants but it's too annoying.	I'm not sure I could get one box to stay on my head, much less two. Going over directions with Muntasir. A very cold California Girl (Gretchen) on the ferry in Bangladesh Christmas Eve. On Christmas I got her the best gift a traveling boy can give in this country - a hot shower. Ice cream bicycles make all children happy.