Overseas travel on two wheels allows you to "see, smell, taste things at a human pace", according to Steven Herrick.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The author and poet will lead a Border bike ride and lunch, Bicycles and Baguettes, as part of this year's Write Around The Murray festival in September.
From Albury's Norieul Park to Wonga Wetlands, the seven kilometre cycle is small compared to Herrick's international riding with his wife Cathie.
"We tend to start in France and we head somewhere, so we go from point A to point B," he said.
"Our best trip probably was starting in Marseille, in the south of France, and cycling to Norway, which is basically 4000 kilometres directly north, going through about five countries."
IN OTHER NEWS:
Usually a writer for children and teenagers, Herrick created his first cycling book to try out self-publishing, was surprised by its success and has continued to ride and write about locations like Japan, South Korea, Scotland and the Mediterranean.
"I try and make my books about the landscape, the culture, the people and the food," he said.
"I think one of the best ways of understanding a culture of a country is to eat like that country and to eat where that country eats."
Combining this with unavoidable exercise also lessens the risks of too much understanding.
"Our bikes are Craig and Jenny, as in Jenny Craig, they are the best weight loss program you can imagine, just get on your bike and ride it, so we eat a lot and we don't put on weight, which is nice," the author said.
Travelling at a slower tempo allowed the pair to see the countryside and how its residents lived, without needing to plan too far ahead.
"It's really living in the moment rather than anything else, all you're really concerned about is what's around you and what's coming up in the next 10 kilometres," Herrick said
Their foolproof method to find a quality, affordable lunch in Europe is to look out for the restaurant surrounded by tradies' vans.
The Border event will offer "nuts and bolts" tips on organising a cycling trip.
Herrick hoped participants would be inspired to think of a bicycle as a means of having a gentle adventure.
"And to experience a country, whatever country they choose, at their own pace and in a really pleasant, healthy way," he said.
Go to writearoundthemurray.com.au for more details.
RELATED:
Receive our daily newsletter straight to your inbox each morning from The Border Mail. Sign up here
