Touring for life?

Has anybody else given any consideration to heading off for a really long bike tour? As in, simply not coming back? Just imagine literally selling everything you own and just going. I recall seeing a website about a German guy who took off on such a tour 40 years ago, and as far as I know is still touring today.

I have to admit the thought has crossed my mind on more than one or two occasions. I first gave some consideration to the thought two years ago when I was winding my way down Tasmania's west coast. It was in my head again today while riding through the Tweed Valley in the rain*. It crops up every so often. I suppose like everything else there are pros and cons. On the one hand, the freedom and the prospect of seeing more of the world than probably anyone else is extremely appealing.

In truth, there isn't a lot keeping me here now. I've always looked upon my job as simply a means of paying for my riding (I'd still be unemployed without this motivating factor), and if I could find a less time-consuming way to do that all the better. I continually find myself frustrated at the vain pretences of our "civilisation", at having to pretend allegiance to institutions I consider absurd simply because it might offend the wrong person at the wrong time (well, at least in my professional life ).

Then there is the trashy popular culture that I can never quite seem to completely avoid despite my best efforts. Whenever someone turns on a television, I'm always amazed at how the presenters insult and talk down to the viewers, and how the viewers simply accept it (actually you can add radio, newspapers and magazines to that as well). I'm about as single as it's humanly possible to be, and the prospects of that ever changing are somewhere between highly unlikely and impossible pretty much regardless of whether I stay or go. Family and friends? Well to be honest I don't see as much of them as I should now. Maybe a lifestyle change might just allow me the time to rectify that.

When I look at bluntly, there are only two things keeping me here. First of all, I have no idea how I'd make a living on the road (although the living is likely to be much cheaper), or finance my travels. Secondly, I worry that I would eventually reach a point of being unable to do anything other than riding, which would make it difficult to integrate back into society should I ever decide to do so. I have to say that the second thought is becoming less of a concern over time as I draw closer to the point where I simply do not care.

* Ride report from said Tweed Valley ride to follow later (i.e. when I can be arsed).