Browsing by Author "Sarlos, Lassi"

Tourism in the 21st century has become versatile and spending time in just one destination area is not the dominant idea anymore. Environmental issues and concerns about Co2 and other greenhouse gas emissions have reached the global consciousness within tourism industry, and alternative forms of travel for mass tourism have been created. One alternative conceptualised among tourism studies has been slow travel, in which choosing low-carbon transport and spending long time away from home are the core ideas. This thesis examines a long distance bicycle trip as a form of slow travel. The aim is to consider characteristics of a long distance bicycle trip, factors that make it possible, motives that lead to accomplish it and finally consider the significance politics of such a trip. Therefore a long distance bicycle trip has been divided to four dimensions and around for each one there is theory combined. For the characteristics the key theory is the theory of slow travel. Sufficient leisure time and finance for the bicycle trip are the key factors when examining the factors that make travelling possible. Considering travel motivation there are various theories from different fields of studies – in the thesis theories from tourism geography, sociology and psychology are combined. The significance politics of a long distance bicycle trip are examined by the means of uniting identity factors and lifestyle political choices of bicycle travellers. Data used in the thesis is divided in three different types. Firstly, theme interviews have been conducted with eight people who have made a long distance bicycle trip. Secondly, an examination have been made for narrations written about the bicycle trips. Thirdly, electronic data – narrations in blogs and audio-visual material in the form of documentaries have been considered. Content analysis has been elaborated in the thesis – first the answers of the interviewees and data have been thematised, then data has been coded and last the data has been interpreted. Results of the research reveal that travelling slow with a bicycle is a most important determinant characteristic of a long distance bicycle trip. Travel routes are in the significant role in a long distance bicycle trip – they become the destination of the trip intrinsically. Nature and culture experiences in the peripheral areas are essential. Bicycle trip is an independent form of travel In which spontaneous choices and flexibility are constantly present. Enough leisure time is essential to elaborate a long distance bicycle trip. One can accomplish a trip without spending a significant amount of money each day, but if the trip is extended for a long period of time, sufficient finance is still needed. Physiological motives include strengthening physical condition, but on the other hand, relaxation is a goal also. Some bicycle travellers considered binding new social relationships as an important aspiration. Among bicycle travellers challenging him or herself as a mean of achieving a feeling of winning him or herself is a significant motivation factor. By doing so, one acquire a sensation of developing him or herself. One goal has also been an inspiration for others. Feeling of freedom is a prominent aspiration. Collective identity among bicycle travellers is related with feeling of not being in a hurry, feelings of being independent, experiences in the periphery and a long time spent away from the conventional environment. Bicycle travellers construct their significance politics of their bicycle trip around these collective identity ideas. Further research could be conducted related to the compound of the freedom feeling experienced while long distance bicycle trip. Also it would be interesting to examine relations between a long distance bicycle trip and pilgrimage or a lifestyle of modern nomadism.