Seek Travel Ride

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Bikepacking Africa Solo: 10,000km from Rwanda to Cape Town with Ellie Mitchell-Heggs

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 07:00:00 +0200

Dreaming about taking a huge bike adventure? Then this episode is for you.

Ellie Mitchell-Heggs shares her insights from her solo journey where she cycled 10,000 kilometres across Africa from Rwanda to Cape Town. All up her trip was nine months long and took her across ten countries. It was also a ride that was layered with both a personal family connection to Africa and loaded up with a huge sense of purpose as well.

Alongside the cycling, Ellie spent time in every capital city meeting with over 100 local NGOs, social enterprises and community organisations working in education, youth empowerment and gender equality. Ellie shares how those conversations, got her through the toughest stretches on the road.

In this episode we cover:

How Ellie got into bikepacking starting with the Vélodyssée down the west coast of France
Why she chose to start in Rwanda and ride south
The communities and landscapes that shaped each country, from Uganda's warmth to the brutal isolation of Botswana's flat roads
70 kilometres being swarmed by tsetse flies in a Tanzanian national park
Canoeing four days down the Zambezi river as a mid-trip reset
Grieving her father on the road
Cycling through Namibia with two fellow bikepackers.
Food poisoning two days from Cape Town, and the unicycle escort into the city
What made those NGO conversations so energising

Find Ellie on Instagram: @ProjectCycleAfrica

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Cycling Turkey, Kurdistan & Kuwait in 47°C Heat: Daragh Cronin

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 07:00:00 +0200

Daragh Cronin is back with a wild update from his Cork to Everest Base Camp ride. This time he shares with us the extraordinary hospitality of Turkey and Iraqi Kurdistan. Then every bike travellers nightmare, a flat refusal at the Federal Iraq border crossing derailing his plans for his route.

This led Daragh to have to re-route through Dubai and Kuwait City where the intensity of the trip got turned to the max when he found himself trying to cycle through the desert in extreme heat leading to a stint in hospital to be treated for heatstroke.

Follow along with Daragh via his instagram - @roaminwithcronin

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Around the World by Bicycle: Live in Melbourne

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 07:00:00 +0200

This is a live show, recorded on stage at the Antique Bar in Melbourne. Joining me on stage were three guests who between them have cycled through some of the most remote, challenging and eye-opening places on earth, Fergal Guihen, Em Hulbert and David McCourt.

Fergal cycled from Roscommon, Ireland to Sydney via Mauritania, Iran, Afghanistan, the Tibetan Plateau and beyond. Em Hulbert is mid-journey on a solo ride around the world, delivering water filters to communities in need through her project The Water Cycle. David McCourt set off from Melbourne bound for Northern Ireland, taking a route through Central Asia, Iran, Bangladesh, Nepal and Turkey that took years and produced stories he'll be dining out on forever.

In this episode we cover:

Going from thought bubble to turning pedals
Luxury items on the bike and what actually earns its place
Perceptions versus reality: China, Iran, Bangladesh and Thailand
Getting drugged and robbed in the Iranian desert
A sex dungeon in rural Thailand at 4am after 250 kilometres
The Nullarbor without music, podcasts or any distraction at all
Solo female bicycle travel and the extra layer that comes with it
The spaces in between and why that's where the magic happens
Why the hardest moments are the ones you'd go back and relive

Want to hear the full individual episodes with each guest? Find them here:

Follow the guests on Instagram:

Em Hulbert: @emhulbert
Fergal Guihen: @rossi.to.aussie
David McCourt: @longwayhome__2022

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Touring on a Brompton: Cycling Senegal with Two Strangers

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0200

James Baile, along with two complete strangers (one of which hadn't ridden a bike since he was 13!) packed their Bromptons into IKEA bags and flew to Dakar. What followed was two weeks riding through Senegal and The Gambia: navigating Dakar rush hour, camping on school playgrounds by invitation of village chiefs, pushing loaded folding bikes through sand that felt like treacle, and sparking conversations with strangers over football allegiances.

In this episode we talk about:

How a Facebook post about the Tropic of Cancer set the whole thing in motion
What it's actually like to tour on a Brompton
Riding a route that goes from the edges of the Sahara Desert to the beginnings of West African forest
The reality of border crossings into Senegal and The Gambia for European travellers
Taking an overnight ferry back to Dakar with Bromptons as hand luggage
Why going somewhere with zero expectations means everything exceeds them
James's next big adventure connecting a journey he started back in 1986

Give James a follow via his instagram - @jamesb.adventures and you can also listen to the previous episode with him here.

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17,000km Bikepacking Adventure: Baja, Japan, the Balkans and Istanbul

Sat, 30 May 2026 07:00:00 +0200

Roisin Gallagher has cycled over 17,000 kilometres across two continents. Her adventure started by riding the Baja Divide with her partner before continuing through Mexico and Central America. After seven months on the road together, their relationship ended and instead of flying home, Roisin bought a one-way ticket to Japan and kept riding.

Roisin has now arrived in Istanbul to share the story so far. We chat loads about her route, the physical and mental side of bike travel and a whole heap about food!

In this episode:

The brutal physical reality of bikepacking the Baja Divide
Cycling the Nicoya Peninsula route in Costa Rica
Three months cycling in Japan
Wildcamping solo as a woman
Cycling the Transdinarica Route through the Balkans
The Croatian bora wind that trapped her for five days
Getting to Istanbul on a sushi delivery truck
A night in Bosnia drinking rakia with three war veterans until 3am
Durmitor National Park as an unexpected landscape revelation
Food - glorious food!

You can follow Roisin's adventure via her instagram - @ontheroadwithro

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Cycle Touring China and the UK with Brian Sampson

Tue, 26 May 2026 07:00:00 +0200

Brian Sampson is cycle touring the world to tick off every destination from the book 'The Thousand Places to See Before You Die' This month's update covers the end of his time in China and his first stretch riding through England and Wales.

Brian shares his experiences of:

Sleeping in temples and stealth camping in multiple continents
Visiting Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.
Daily routines and how they change with climate and daylight hours.
Welcome to My Garden vs Warmshowers
A crazy experience of encountering a mountain lion on the Pacific Coast Highway
Reverse culture shock going from China to cycling through England and Wales.

Follow Brian via his instagram page - @Brian.Sampson4

You can also check out his blog for a breakdown of his experiences so far.

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Listen to the first episode with Robbie about their world record ride.

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Airlifted Mid-Race: River Rescue and Ultra Cycling Safety with Robbie Danger Webb

Sat, 23 May 2026 07:00:00 +0200

A few weeks ago Robbie was 500 kilometres into the Monaro Cloudride, a thousand-kilometre ultra race through the Australian high country, when a night-time Snowy River crossing went very wrong.

They ended up stranded on a tiny island in the middle of the river with their bike, waiting for a rescue helicopter to winch them out.

Robbie shares their experiences of this event including he decision to cross at night, what happens when fast water takes you down, the hours of calm problem-solving from a very small island, and what every bike adventurer should know about calling for help without shame.

Since recording, I'm glad to say Robbie has been reunited with their bike, and Guinness World Records has officially confirmed their record as the first openly trans person to circumnavigate the globe by bike. What a legend!

Follow Robbie via their instagram - @DirtDropRobbie

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From London to Croatia by Bike: Milica is Cycling Home

Tue, 19 May 2026 07:00:00 +0200

You're four days out of London, somewhere in northern France, and every evening you check in with your body to decide how far you'll ride tomorrow. Nobody is telling you where to be. This is your life now.

Milica Kovačević was commuting through London on her bike, listening to this podcast for inspiration to take her own bike adventure. Then she decided it was time to leave the city, and that's when she started dreaming about cycling from London to Vukovar, Croatia, where her grandmother and mother are waiting for her.

Milica let's us know how she prepared for the trip, including practicing bike mechanics on friends' bikes before she left, and how she plans out her days on the road. She also shares about the nervousness that creeps in the days leading up to going, and how turning the pedals is the best way to rid yourself of them.

This is the first of several check-ins as Milica makes her way across Europe. Follow along as she rides home.

Topics covered:

Cycle touring from London to Croatia
How to prepare for a long-distance bike tour
Solo cycling as a woman in Europe
Touring with minimal planning
Bike mechanics for beginners
What to pack for a long bike tour
Cycling through France, Belgium, and beyond
Human connection on the road

Follow Milica's journey: @2Wheels1Milikov

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Cyling from Bangkok to the UK | Bikepacking Solo with Eleanor Hulm

Sat, 16 May 2026 07:00:00 +0200

Eleanor Hulm left Bangkok on a loaded bike she'd just assembled in a hotel room at 6am, sleep-deprived, slightly terrified, and laughing her way through the traffic. Four months later she's ridden solo through Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Taiwan and Japan and she's just getting started.

In this episode you'll hear about:

The 20km of peanut butter mud in Laos that nearly broke her
Pushing a loaded bike up a 20% gradient in Thailand until her cycling shoes had to come off
Pako, a bikepacker from Chengdu who taught her to knock on strangers' doors and trust what comes next
What Eleanor calls the mind prison, and why the road gave her the mind palace instead
The moment of awe when she cycled past Mount Fuji
Signing up for the Transpyrenees ultra race with half the world still left to ride

Eleanor is heading next into China, the Stans, Georgia and Turkey before cycling home to the UK. Be sure to follow her adventures via her instagram - @elbybike

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68 days cycling to Istanbul: Daragh Cronin on Crossing Europe Solo

Tue, 12 May 2026 07:00:00 +0200

Daragh Cronin has been on the road for 68 days. He left Blackrock, Cork, on a loaded bike with Everest Base Camp as his final destination, and this week he is checking in from Istanbul.

This is a midweek update episode, and it covers a lot of ground. Daragh has already cycled the length of Africa, Morocco to Cape Town, so crossing Europe was his second continent.

In this episode we discuss:

Arriving in Istanbul after 68 days cycling from Cork across Europe
The hardest moments of the journey so far and how he kept going
What it meant to have a riding companion join him through Croatia and Albania
The reality of solo cycle touring and what it does to your head over time
Route planning through the Middle East amid conflict in Iran

About Daragh Cronin: Daragh Cronin is a solo cyclist from Cork, Ireland, currently riding from Ireland to Everest Base Camp via Africa and the Middle East. Before this leg he completed a solo ride from Morocco to Cape Town. You can listen to the episode where we discussed that adventure in full detail here:

Follow Daragh via his instagram - @roaminwithcronin and check out his fundraiser for the Children's Unit at Cork University Hospital.

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Bikepacking the Andes, Ultra Cycling in New Zealand, and Racing Lostdot 101 | Megan Young

Sat, 09 May 2026 07:00:00 +0200

Megan Young is a UK-based ultra cyclist and bike packer from Dorset. She's raced the Atlas Mountain Race in Morocco as a pairs entry with her husband Angus, taken fastest female honours on the Dorset Divide, spent six months cycling through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Chile on sabbatical, and then finished that stretch with the Tour Te Waipounamu, a 1330km ultra race down the South Island of New Zealand. And right now she is lining up for Lostdot 101, a women-only road race across Spain and Portugal where riders plan their own routes.

In this episode we discuss:

How Megan got into ultra racing and what it was like competing as a pairs team at the Atlas Mountain Race
Three months in the Andes: kit, food, altitude, wild camping, and choosing when to get a bus
Max, the stray dog in the mountains who became their guardian for a day and then vanished on the descent
The Tour Te Waipounamu: 30km of hike-a-bike, river crossings she'd never trained for, and a DNF 100km from the finish line
Her mindset heading into Lostdot 101, planning her own route, and racing with six friends from Girls That Ride Bikes
Wild camping confidence, the earplugs trick, and what she learned from getting her food strategy badly wrong on her first ultra
Women in ultra racing, what's changed, and why communities like Girls That Ride Bikes are helping to get more women to the start line

You can follow Megan via her instagram - @MeganOnTwoWheels

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Cycling the Sahara: 1,500km of Headwind, Sandstorms and Survival

Tue, 05 May 2026 07:00:00 +0200

Chris Petermnn has been cycling across the world for four years. When he set out to cross the Sahara on the final leg of his Africa circumnavigation, he was craving one silence. After months of never being alone in West Africa, the desert felt like it might finally offer him some peace. Unfortunately, what he got instead was 1,500 kilometres of relentless headwind.

In this Tuesday snippet, Chris takes us through his ride north from Nouakchott in Mauritania, through Western Sahara and up toward the Atlas Mountains. Fair to say it was a stretch that pushed him to rock bottom more than once. He talks about sandstorms, sleep deprivation and a strange sense of envy from watching other cyclists cruise past with the wind at their backs.

It's a raw and honest account of what long-distance cycling in one of the world's most extreme environments actually feels like and how the headwind becomes a relentless mental battle.

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Cycling the Silk Road from Scotland to China | Tea, Grit and the Arab Spring with Helen Watson

Sat, 02 May 2026 07:00:00 +0200

What does it take to cycle 15,000 kilometres from Scotland to China along the ancient Silk Road? And what happens when the countries you just rode through are plunged into war the moment you get home?

In 2009, Helen Watson and her husband Ed clipped in at Glasgow and pointed east. Their route took them through Syria, Turkey, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and into China, riding one of the most remote, politically charged and culturally rich corridors on earth.

Months after they got home, the Arab Spring broke. And the world they had just ridden through started burning.

We discuss:

What it really means to cycle tour through the so-called Axis of Evil
How bike touring gave them access to homes and lives no other travel could
Riding as a woman through deeply traditional societies across the Middle East and Central Asia
The moment the Arab Spring broke and the helplessness of watching those places burn
How the hospitality they received on the road led them to sponsor the first Syrian refugee family into Scotland

Helen's book Tea and Grit: A Bicycle Journey Along the Silk Road is out now and available for purchase here here: https://www.helenwatsonwriting.com/

If you've ever wanted to cycle Central Asia, ride through Iran, or just hear one of the most extraordinary bike adventure stories to land on Seek Travel Ride, this is the episode for you.

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Cycling Through China: Practical Tips and What It's Really Like with Brian Sampson

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 07:00:00 +0200

Brian Sampson is cycling through China for the second time, and this update is packed with everything you'd actually want to know before attempting it yourself. He covers the apps that make daily life manageable (WeChat, Alipay, trip.com, and a VPN you'll need from day one), how to find hotels that accept foreign passports, what border crossings look like, and why cycling in northern China is a completely different experience to the mountainous south.

Brian also shares his highlights so far including the Terracotta Warriors, the Great Wall at Yanmen Pass, and a hidden ancient town in Hunan Province he thinks deserves far more attention than it gets.

Be sure to follow Brian via his instagram @brian.sampson4 - to keep up to date with his adventures.

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Solo Bikepacking South America: Leonie Katekar

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 07:00:00 +0200

Leonie Katekar was 56 years old when she set off solo from Guatemala to cycle 12,000 kilometres to the tip of South America and had no prior solo bike travel experience. The whole adventure was driven by one question: what would you do if you weren't afraid?

In this episode:

The chaotic Day One in Guatemala: lost, dehydrated, and rescued by a stranger before finishing half the ride
Managing Central American heat by riding from 4:30am and being done before the worst of the day
Getting blown clean off her bike in the winds of Patagonia
Two back-to-back 4,000-metre passes in Peru and the moment she knew she could finish this
Riding through Nicaragua despite every travel warning, and what she actually found there
Traveling solo as a woman through South America
The unexpected shift in her relationship with her four kids
An Antarctic cruise, a book, and what she's planning next

Leonie's book When We're Not Afraid is available at leoniekatekar.com - order direct for a signed copy.

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Cycling Through Thailand: First Timer, Loaded Bike, No Experience. Ellie Ormerod & Olly Hargreaves

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 07:00:00 +0200

If you're planning to cycle Southeast Asia, or just want to hear what it's actually like, this one's for you.

Olly Hargreaves is back with an update and this time he's sharing how his girlfriend Ellie has decided to give bikepacking a go.

Olly rode to Thailand from the UK and Ellie's longest ride prior to this, was about 30km! We'll hear how they got on, Ellie's first big day on a loaded bike straight out of Bangkok heading south through Thailand and into Malaysia.

This episode covers what cycling this route is actually like. Riding on the coastal roads, dealing with the intense heat and humidity, the dog chases, the scenery, the thunderstorms, and a border crossing that nobody could confirm was open.

It also covers the wildlife at Khao Sok National Park, getting scuba certified on the way through, and the honest reality of long days on a loaded bike when you've never done it before.

Thailand gets a 10 out of 10. Malaysia is a different story.

Be sure to give both Olly and Ellie a follow on instagram via -@sagas.of_olly.hargreaves and @Ormerod_Fitness

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Cycling from Austria to Australia: 20,000km adventure with Javier Carrasco

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 07:00:00 +0200

Javier Carrasco rode from Austria to the other side of the world on a bike rescued from a dumpster. Over 20,000 kilometres and 200,000 metres of climbing travelled on a bicycle that cost him exactly nothing.

Javi is the partner of previous guest Rebecca Gross, and while Rebecca made it back to Austria after a year on the road, Javi wasn't quite ready to stop. I got to catch him in person here in Canberra before he headed north, and we sat in the sunshine at the National Arboretum and talked about all of it.

It's been a huge journey that's taken him through the Balkans, Turkey, Iran, into Iraq, through Tajikistan's remote Bartang Valley, across Mongolia, solo onto the Tibetan Plateau at minus 20 degrees, through China, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and all the way to Australia.

Be sure to follow Javi's adventures via instagram on - @hackerbikepacker

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Cycling Post-Adventure Blues: The Side of Adventure We Don't Show

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 07:00:00 +0200

In this solo episode, I'm talking about post-adventure blues. The experience of coming home after a big journey and finding it so much harder than you ever expected. It's a theme that has come up again and again across three years of conversations on this show, and one I've been deliberately exploring with guests for the past year.

The prompt for this episode was a brilliant piece of research by previous guest Alee Denham of cyclingabout.com. Alee fed every transcript from Seek Travel Ride into AI and surfaced the seven biggest lessons bike touring teaches you across 170 podcast guests. The findings are genuinely fascinating and I'd really encourage you to go and read the full article here:

But when I read it, one thing was missing and it was dealing with post adventure blues.

In this episode I dig into why it might not have surfaced in the data, share what I've picked up when interviewing guests and beyond them, and lay out my own three-part hypothesis on why it hits some people harder than others.

Guests referenced in this episode include Steph Devery, Luke Grenfell-Shaw, Alastair Humphreys, Daragh Cronin, Mark Gresser, Claire Wyatt, Paul Edkins, Samer Abouhamad, Tristan Ridley, Madeline Hoffmann and Jesus Estrada.

And if you haven't read Alee's previous article ranking the top cycling destinations by podcast guest, that one is worth your time too and you can check it out here.

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Ultra Cycling for the Experience: Claire Stevens

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 07:00:00 +0200

What if the whole point of racing ultras wasn't the race at all? Claire Stevens is a surgeon and ultra cyclist who rides for the experience of pure presence in wild places.

She has lined up for events such as the Indian Pacific Wheel Race, Silk Road Mountain Race, Race to the Rock, Rhino Run and GB Duro.

We get into what happens to your senses when you push into the night, what it actually feels like to cycle in the huge mountain landscapes of Kyrgyzstan, the flooded river crossing at Race to the Rock that nearly went very badly and the experience of rolling into Uluru at sunrise.

There is also a genuinely wonderful amount of time talking about birds.

Be sure to follow Claire's future adventures via her instagram - @surgeonabike

Other guests mentioned in this episode:

Katrina Hase

Seek Travel Ride is a podcast about cycling adventure, ultra endurance cycling and the stories of people who ride to experience the world.

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Cycling the Tassie Traverse, Tasmania: Rebecca Gross

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 07:00:00 +0200

Rebecca Gross has been sending updates from the road all year and After cycling from Austria to Australia across something like 30 countries this is the final one!

In this update Rebecca talks us through cycling theTassie Traverse, a relatively new bikepacking route running from Hobart up to Launceston through the Highlands and along the east coast. She covers a detour to Maria Island (wombats everywhere, no cars, highly recommended), a night in a tent that was decidedly not waterproof, a private waterfall at sunset after the worst day of the whole traverse, and a Huntsman spider making a last-minute appearance on her handlebars on the final day into Melbourne.

She also reflects on what it feels like to come home after a year on the road and why the whole thing already feels like it happened to someone else.

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- A Life in Tandem documentary

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Cycling 32,000km After Stage 4 Cancer. A life in Tandem with Luke Grenfell-Shaw

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 07:00:00 +0200

In 2018, at 24 years of age, Luke Grenfell-Shaw was given a stage 4 cancer diagnosis and told he had months to live. Within weeks, he also lost his brother John in a freak accident. Most people would have pulled the covers up. Luke signed up for a half marathon, hopped on a stationary bike in the hospital ward, and started planning to cycle from Bristol to Beijing.

On 1 January 2020, Luke set off on a tandem bike. Over the next few years he rode 32,000 kilometres through 30 countries, with more than 800 different people taking a turn on the back seat. Some were strangers he met on the road. Some were friends and family. One was a puppy named Tarzan. The ride became the award-winning documentary A Life in Tandem, which you should watch immediately after listening to this episode.

In this episode we talk about:

- What it feels like to be diagnosed with stage 4 cancer at 24

- Why Luke chose a tandem over a solo bike and what that decision changed

- The science behind exercise during chemotherapy and what the research now says

- Dev, the Indian man who turned up in jeans, hadn't ridden in three years, and became Luke's longest-serving stoker

- The brake failure at 50mph on a Kyrgyzstan mountain pass that ended in a medical clinic

- Tarzan the puppy of Uzbekistan (fate: unknown but probably fine)

- The post-adventure blues, identity after big goals, and what it means to turn 32 when you once didn't expect to see it

- Luke's definition of a 'canliver' and why he prefers it to 'cancer survivor'

- What it means to be a professional trail runner representing Great Britain, and what comes next

Luke Grenfell-Shaw is a professional trail runner representing Great Britain, adventurer, filmmaker, and speaker. His documentary A Life in Tandem is available to stream now.

Links:

- Luke's website and Instagram

- Best Foot Forward short film (Luke and Dan in Sichuan):

If this episode moved you, please share it with one person who needs to hear it. And then watch the film.

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Cycling Ireland to Everest Base Camp: 40 Days In

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0200

Daragh Cronin is 40 days into his solo cycling expedition from Ireland to Everest Base Camp, and I sent him four questions via Instagram to find out how it's actually going.

He talks about the send-off from Cork that genuinely blew his mind, how it compared to the low-key departure for his West Africa ride, and why the first two weeks on the bike were so much harder than he expected. He gets into the reality of solo wildcamping for the first time, hitting big milestones across Europe, and a very special stop in Germany to see the man he cycled more than half of Africa with.Daragh's route to Everest Base Camp is also currently under a cloud with the war that's broken out in Iran putting his planned route through Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Oman into doubt. He doesn't have answers yet. Istanbul is where it gets real.

Here's the link to Daragh's Africa episode .

Follow Daragh via his instagram @roaminwithCronin for his latest updates.

Donate to his fundraiser.

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Cycling Scotland Solo: Wild Camping, Bothies and the Hebridean Way | Sheelagh Daly

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0100

Ever wanted to take a bike adventure through Scotland? This episode is for you!

Guest Sheelagh Daley shares her experiences cycling Scotland's Highlands and the Hebridean Way. This was a trip she planned specifically to challenge herself to wild camp and tackle off-road routes solo. She had ALL the weather, sunshine, rain and of course wind.

Find out about Scotland's Bothies, what it's like to wild camp solo, taking ferries between the islands on the Hebrides, and why Sheelagh says she could return to Scotland for all her bike adventures and be happy.

Be sure to follow Sheelagh to keep up with her adventures. here are links to her instagram - @sheelagh.daley and also her awesome YouTube channel.

Links mentioned:

Sheelagh's first STR episode
The Hebridean Way
Pictish Trail on bikepacking.com
Log Drivers Waltz route episode with Jen

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Cycling in Mongolia and Bucket List Destinations.

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0100

This week, listeners Juan Pablo and Paula share a day from their cycling adventure in Mongolia which has to be one of the most remote and rewarding places you can ride a bike on this planet. You can keep up with their adventures via their instagram channel - @juan.pablo.toro

I also opens up about my own bikepacking bucket list, and throws the question out to you: where is the destination you're dreaming of? Where would you go if you could go anywhere?

Also mentioned this episode: A Life in Tandem — the incredible documentary following Luke Grenfell-Shaw, diagnosed with incurable cancer at 24, who set off to cycle 20,000 miles from Bristol to Beijing on a tandem bike. Watch it here.

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Cycling the Length of Africa: Morocco to Cape Town with Daragh Cronin

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0100

Daragh Cronin booked a flight to Marrakesh before he even owned a bike. He had no cycling background, no camping experience, but he had a goal to ride the length of Africa from Morocco to Cape Town.

Just over 200 days and 13,500 kilometres later, he arrived. In this episode, Irish adventurer Daragh talks through the mental and physical reality of cycling Africa's west coast: navigating borders, battling food poisoning, riding the notorious iron ore train in Mauritania, the strangers who became lifelong friends, and what it was like to finally arrive at the Cape of Good hope

This episode was recorded when Daragh was days away from his next challenge: cycling from Cork to Everest Base Camp to raise funds for the Children's Unit at Cork University Hospital. Be sure to follow him on instagram - @roaminwithcronin and you can check out his fundraiser here.

Other guests mentioned in this Episode:

Rob MacLennan

Tomas Mac An T-Saoir

Fergal Guihen

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Three Months Cycling Europe Every Year: How Alison Fullerton Does It

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0100

What does it actually take to spend three months a year cycle touring through Europe? This week, Alison Fullerton shares how she and her husband make it happen every single year . She talks about the budgeting, the fitness worries, the accommodation, navigating trains with bikes, and the mindset that has turned their bike adventure dreams into a yearly reality.

The thing I love is that Alison and her husband are retirees and they are making this work for them, but her tips are relevant regardless of your age

If you've been telling yourself a big cycling adventure isn't possible yet, or isn't possible anymore, Alison's story might just change your mind.

Follow Alison on Instagram: @loose.spokes

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- Steph Devery's ski bikepacking episode

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Cycling Iceland’s Ring Road with Skis on Your Bike: Cody Cirillo

Sat, 14 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0100

What happens when you strap skis to a loaded bike and set off to cycle 1,700 kilometres around Iceland in winter? Skier and filmmaker Cody Cirillo did exactly that on a trip he took with his good friend. What's more he also documented the whole experience in his film A Hundred Words for Wind.

Cody is a professional skier who's chased remote lines in Mongolia, Morocco, and Iceland. In recent years he's started cycling to his ski terrain instead of driving, something we have called ski bikepacking. Using human powered forms of travel has now completely changed how he experiences the places he travels through.

In this episode we cover:

- How ski bikepacking started — including his first trip from Telluride to Utah, off the couch, on a wobbly Walmart rack

- Iceland's Ring Road in winter : The brutal crosswinds, iced roads, blizzards, and dealing with it on 50kg loaded bikes

- Tips and tricks for surviving headwinds when skis add extra sail area?

- Breaking eight ribs, a scapula, and puncturing a lung weeks before departure and why Cody went anyway

- The vinarbröð, hot dogs, Snickers, and tortellini that held the whole thing together

- What it feels like to park your bike roadside, hike for hours in ski boots, and ski a line down to the ocean

- How going slowly created the human connections that made the trip

- Turning a 40-day expedition into a film — and why that was harder than the riding

**Links:**

- Cody on YouTube and also Instagram - @Cody.Cir

- A Hundred Words for Wind — Cody's documentary

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Cycling Japan and Korea: Bears, Hiroshima and a Solo Round the World Bike Tour

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0100

Ever camped in bear country in Japan? Brian Sampson has. This is his second update from his mission to cycle every destination in 1000 Places to See Before You Die.

In this episode Brian shares stories from cycling through Japan, including encounters with bears and wild boars. He also shares his experiences exploring the Hiroshima Peace Museum. From Japan Brian crossed into South Korea, where herides the famous Four Rivers trail and shares the buzz of cycling in the huge city of Seoul.

Brian is now heading into China. Make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss what happens next. You can follow his journey on Instagram at @brian.sampson4 and his blog.

If Japan or Korea are on your cycling bucket list, you might also love Terri Jockerst's book Biking to Busan, her nine-month solo ride through Taiwan, Japan and South Korea.

And if you haven't seen it yet, come ride with me, Claire Wyatt and Marta Ballús in the Pyrenees over on the Seek Travel Ride YouTube channel.

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She Cycled 4,500km Around the UK to Play Every Single Gig: Sarah Small

Sat, 07 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0100

What would it look like to tour a concert by bicycle?

Sarah Small is a viola da gamba player who did exactly that. Between May and July, she rode across the UK with her instrument on the bike, playing concerts in village halls, churches, community spaces, and remote locations. Along coastlines, across islands, as far north as the Hebridean Way and the Shetland Islands, bringing live music to places that rarely see it, under her own steam.

We talk about the logistics of carrying a fragile instrument by bike, the warmth and generosity Sarah encountered when she arrived having ridden to get there, and why taking music to people rather than the other way around changes something about the experience. We also get into sustainable travel, what cycle touring does to your sense of self, and that particular hit of confidence you didn't know you needed until a bike adventure handed it to you.

Sarah also shares her experience using low-impact transport options, including the SailLink ferry between the UK and France.

You can follow Sarah's future adventures via her instagram - @SmallSarah

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Cycling Scotland to China via the Silk Road | Helen Watson

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0100

Imagine cycling from Glasgow to China for your honeymoon! Well that's exactly what guest Helen Watson did with her husband Ed, back in 2010. That extended honeymoon turned into a huge 15-month adventure across Europe, the Balkans, Turkey, Iran, Central Asia, and into western China.

Helen gives us an insight into what it's like to use cycling as a way of moving slowly through cultures, and about what it feels like to experience places that are often reduced to headlines. She shares powerful stories of hospitality in Iran and Syria, including an experience which left her husband needing treatment in a Tehran hospital.

Helen has recently published a book about this journey, Tea and Grit: A Bicycle Journey Along the Silk Road

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Cycling Vietnam to the UK: A Year on the Road | Matt Whitley

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 07:00:00 +0100

What is it really like to cycle solo from Vietnam to the UK?

In this episode, I’m joined by cyclist Matt Whitley, who set off from Ho Chi Minh City in March 2025 to ride home to the UK. Nearly a year into the journey, Matt shares stories from riding solo across the Tibetan Plateau, Central Asia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Europe.

We talk about the intensity that comes with taking long-distance bike travel, choosing the remote mountain routes, managing mechanical issues when you are far from help, as well as how Matt was able to share parts of the journey with his Dad and sister.

Be sure to follow Matt via his instagram - @Matty.Travelz

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Bikepacking the South Island of New Zealand | Rebecca Gross

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 07:00:00 +0100

Ever wanted to cycle the South Island of New Zealand?

Rebecca Gross shares an honest update from her time bikepacking the South Island. It was a bikepacking trip shaped by relentless rain and freezing summer temperatures. This led to long days of riding chasing weather windows that would allow for side quests such as hiking around Mount Cook. From Te Araroa sections and west coast gravel to the high mountains around Mount Cook, the final days of riding saw her and partner Javi ride into Paradise near Queenstown.

A must listen if cycling in New Zealand on the South Island is on your own bucket list.

Be sure to give Rebecca a follow via her instagram - @Rebecca_Grb

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Ultra Cycling with Lotti Power: Racing, Training and Life Beyond the Start Line

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 07:00:00 +0100

Ultra cyclist Lotti Power has completed the Atlas Mountain Race, the Hellenic Mountain Race, and the Silk Road Mountain Race in a single season. Often the youngest rider on the start line, Lotti did not come into ultra cycling through a traditional racing background. Instead she embraces the idea of learning by doing and it has to be said it has served her well!

Lotti first came into long distance riding through the world of Audax. What began with brevets and Paris Brest Paris quickly opened the door to much bigger ideas, She signe up for the Transcontinental and decided to take race the Trans Pyrenees as a team of two with her dad as preparation!

Since that she has gradually pushed herself into taking on more remote and demanding terrain.

A defining part of Lotti’s story is how she travels. She rides to start lines, carries a minimal setup, often sleeps without a tent, and makes decisions as she goes. That choice shapes how she trains, how she approaches events, and how she responds when things get complicated, whether that is punctures, heat, long stretches of desert, or the mental weight of being far away from friends and family.

In this conversation, we talk about learning ultra cycling by doing it, standing on a podium she never expected, and trusting herself in situations where there is no clear plan. Lotti shares how riding to events has influenced every part of her racing, and why she believes motivation and time matter more than experience or labels.

Be sure to follow Lotti via her instagram - @LottiPower

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From Delhi to the Himalayas by Bike. Annapurna, Altitude and a Broken Collarbone |Olly Hargreaves

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 07:00:00 +0100

You are descending from the Annapurna Circuit when one pothole changes everything. A crash, a broken collarbone, and the ride comes to an abrupt halt.

In this midweek update, Olly Hargreaves shares what it was like cycling through India and Nepal. He drops us right into the chaos of riding out of Delhi before reaching the huge peaks of the Himalayas in Nepal. He talks through the aftermath of his accident, a week in hospital, and how quickly long-term bike travel plans can shift.

I also give a shout out to listeners who have been sharing their must-see places, taking us from Japan to Iceland and beyond.

You can follow Olly's journey via his instagram - @Sagas.of_Olly.Hargreaves

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Bikepacking From China to Belgium, Fulfilling a 10 Year Dream

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 07:00:00 +0100

Ever thought about bikepacking across multiple countries?

In this episode, I chat with Belgian bikepacker Xiao, known online as @Ciao_Xiao, who set off on a long journey from China back to Belgium.

Xiao first got into bike travel as a teenager, riding with his mum and later heading off with friends when time was plentiful and money was not. That curiosity eventually grew into a much bigger ride, beginning in eastern China and unfolding west through Central Asia.

In this conversation, we talk about:

How early bike trips shaped the way Xiao travels
What it is really like to cross China by bike, region by region
Riding through Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan and camping high in the mountains
Cold nights, mechanical problems, and figuring things out as you go
His time riding through Afghanistan and how that experience shifted his perspective
Why bikepacking often works best without a rigid plan

This episode is a grounded look at long-distance bikepacking, curiosity-led travel, and what you notice when you move slowly through the world on two wheels.

Be sure to give Xiao a follow on YouTube and also via his instagram - @Ciao__Xiao

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Cycling A Thousand Places to See Before You Die | Brian Sampson

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 07:00:00 +0100

How long would it take to cycle your way through A Thousand Places to See Before You Die?

This week I am introducing you to Brian Sampson, who has been doing exactly that since 2018. Brian shares an update from his journey so far, and across the year he will be checking in with audio updates as his adventure unfolds.

Follow Brian's adventure via his instagram -@brian.sampson4 and check out his blog - https://justfeltlikebiking.blogspot.com/

Also this week:

Fergal Guihen (Rossi to Aussie) finishing ride: I attended Fergal’s arrival at the steps of the Sydney Opera House, marking the close of his almost two-year bike journey!

Bikepacking Roots gear library hub: A community-led initiative, supported by podcast sponsor Old Man Mountain, bringing together bikepacking gear libraries with a simple map showing where shared gear hubs exist.

Canberra Bikepacking Gear Library: A local gear library helping people in the Canberra region access bikepacking equipment and build skills through shared community resources.

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The Bristol Rally: https://allterre.net/the-bristol-rally/

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Making Bikepacking Feel Like It's For Everyone: Claire Sharpe

Sat, 07 Feb 2026 07:00:00 +0100

This week’s episode features a really thoughtful conversation with Claire Sharpe, a mountain bike instructor, community builder, and the founder of the Bristol Rally. It's a great listen if you’re curious about bikepacking, interested in community-led events, or if you’ve ever talked yourself out of an adventure because you thought you weren’t “ready” yet.

In this episode, we talk about:

Coming to cycling later in life and learning by doing
How community can be a gateway into bike adventure
Claire’s journey into mountain bike instruction and coaching with empathy
Why lived experience matters when helping others build confidence
The Bristol Rally and how it’s designed to feel welcoming and accessible
Breaking down barriers through inclusive event design
Route planning, rights of way, and riding with confidence in the UK
Misadventures, muddy trails, hike-a-bike moments, and why they become the best stories
Why you don’t need to be “fit enough” before starting

All Terre (Claire’s website): https://allterre.net/

Follow Claire and her bikepacking projects via the links below:

Instagram: @ClaireSharpe, her website - All Terre.

Check out her event - The Bristol Rally

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Three Years of Seek Travel Ride. Bike Adventures and the Best Places to Travel by Bike

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 07:00:00 +0100

Seek Travel Ride has just turned three, and for this mid-week episode I wanted to do something a little different.

Instead of a highlights reel, I’m sharing why this podcast exists in the first place, and what three years of conversations with bike adventurers from all over the world has taught me.

In this episode we talk about

Why Seek Travel Ride has always been about experiences, not gear
How experience comes after you start, not before
Why you don’t need to identify as a cyclist to travel by bike
Choosing your own adventure and letting go of comparison
Riding as transport and sustainability
The bike as a connector to people and cultures
The Seek Travel Ride community and the power of shared stories

I also share insights from a recent article by Alee Denham from CyclingAbout, which analysed years of Seek Travel Ride episodes to identify the best places in the world to travel by bike, based entirely on guest stories and lived experience. Very cool! Listen to my previous episode with Alee here.

Finally, I reflect on the community that has grown around the podcast, how it has helped people take their first adventures, and why that community is the reason Seek Travel Ride has made it to three years.

Thank you for being part of the journey!

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Beyond the World Records: Mark Beaumont

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0100

Why does riding a bike feel like the purest way to experience the world?

In this episode, I sit down with Mark Beaumont to talk about bike travel, wanderlust, and what he's learnt after spending two decades taking human powered adventures.

Beyond his achievements as a world record holder, Mark also shares how his relationship with adventure has evolved over time. Why endurance is often more mental than physical, and how cycling reveals the gradual shifts between cultures, geography, and ways of life.

We discuss the accountability in professional adventure, and the key differences between riding for yourself and riding for work.

We also touch on how Mark’s travels have shaped his work in sustainability, using his experience and platform to connect people, ideas, and projects that can create meaningful impact.

If you’re drawn to long rides, empty roads, and travel that prioritises experience over outcomes, this conversation will resonate.

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Bikepacking the Tour Aotearoa on New Zealand’s North Island | Rebecca Gross

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0100

What is it really like to bikepack the Tour Aotearoa on New Zealand’s North Island? In this midweek episode, Rebecca Gross shares her experience riding the TA, including the Timber Trail, Warm Showers hospitality, lush North Island scenery, and how well the route is managed with clear detours for trickier sections.

If you are planning your own TA ride or curious about what makes this route so unique, Rebecca's update offers up great practical insight into terrain, logistics, the NZ Bike Adventure community, and what to expect when riding the trail.

Later in the episode I also share where our Seek Travel Ride listeners on Instagram are planning to ride in 2026

Also be sure to check out the Snailblazers events happening in Ireland by @SnailBlazers.cc - You can sign up for more info about them via their contact form.

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Cycling Across Europe for Four Months | Anna Ruddiman

Sat, 24 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0100

What would you do if you suddenly had four months free to take a bike adventure?
For London-based outdoors lover Anna Ruddiman, the answer was simple: buy a touring bike off Facebook Marketplace, catch a ferry to Spain with her girlfriend Fran, and start pedalling east across Europe.

In this episode, Anna shares how that idea turned into a four-month ride through 11 countries, wild heatwaves, Balkan backroads and dreamy alpine passes. Along the way they wild camped in secluded spots, rerouted around wildfires, dodged territorial shepherd dogs, and survived on a heroic amount of pesto pasta.

We cover:
• The serendipity of both losing work & suddenly having time
• Buying second-hand touring bikes for the trip
• Why rigid planning doesn’t work for long bike travel
• Ferry crossings, river valleys & heatwaves
• The wild camping learning curve (and mysterious eyes in the dark…)
• Mechanical drama & flat tyres in Albania
• The shepherd dogs outside Athens that forced a 60 km detour
• Finishing the trip in Turkey and what comes next
• Why comparison steals the joy from adventure

Route Highlights:
UK → Spain → France → Italy → Slovenia → Croatia → Bosnia → Montenegro → Albania → Greece → Turkey

Follow Anna on Instagram - @annaruddiman

Music Pick:
Anna adds “Oysters In My Pocket” by Royal Otis to the Seek Travel Ride playlist.

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Your Bike Adventure Gear Hacks & What Cycling Through Africa is Like | Giacomo Turco

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0100

This week I'm sharing some awesome bike adventure gear hacks from those of you in the community.

I also have an update from Giacomo Turco, who is currently on a huge ride from Cape Town to Italy. Giacomo is updating us from Benin and sharing how the journey has been so far on his bikepacking adventure. He talks about the intensity of the trip, how each day comes with new experiences, and also challenges.

He describes the challenges of getting visas for countries, a crazy experience of being invited as a guest to a wedding, and also the scary moment of being assaulted while in Cameroon, and how it nearly made him stop the journey.

Giacomo also candidly discusses how despite the finish of his trip being almost a year away, he is already finding himself concerned with thoughts of dealing with post adventure blues.

You can follow Giacomo's journey via his instagram page - @cycling.beyond and also find out more about his work on the Water Cycle.

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9 Years Cycling Around the World: The Final Chapter | Tomas Mac An T-Saoir

Sat, 17 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0100

In Part 2 of my conversation with Irish cyclist Tomas Mac An T-Saoir, we continue his nine-year journey around the world by bicycle. We begin in Syria and Afghanistan, where Tomas shares what it was like to travel through regions affected by conflict and have frank, human conversations with the people who live there. One powerful story includes an Afghan woman who was permitted by local authorities to guide him through her city, offering him a rare window into daily life under restrictive laws.

From the Middle East, our conversation shifts right back to New Zealand, where this chapter of Tomas’s journey actually began, and where Covid lockdowns meant he ended up staying far longer than he ever expected. His time in New Zealand eventually led to Australia, and onward to Timor Leste and Indonesia, where he dealt with blistering heat, remote roads and even a major earthquake on the Indonesian side of Timor.

We also explore something many long-term travellers quietly struggle with: finishing. After nine years of life on the road, how do you return home? What happens to your identity when the bike stops moving? And how do you make sense of everything you have seen and experienced along the way?

If you are interested in bikepacking, long-term travel, culture, human stories and round-the-world cycling, this episode offers an honest look at both the extraordinary and the everyday parts of life on the road.

Follow Tomas on Instagram - @anbotharfada

📍 Listen to Part 1:
Meet the Irishman who Cycled Around the World — Tomas Mac An T-Saoir (Part 1)
Episodes mentioned during this conversation:

Peter Gostelow - Part 1 and Part 2

Heinz Stucke - Part 1 and Part 2

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Stories from People Who've Cycled All Over The World | Melbourne Live Show Highlights

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0100

This week I'm sharing a recap from our recent live shows which were held in Melbourne with guests Emily Hulbert, Fergal Guihen, and David McCourt. We discuss tips on facing fears head on, wild camping, and the importance of leaning into adventure during these long kind of travel journeys. The kindness of strangers shines throughout our panelists stories and Em Hulbert also shares her perspective of travel as a solo female.

Want to hear my full length episodes with these guests? check them out below:

Emily Hulbert

Fergal Guihen - Part 1 and Part 2

David McCourt - Part 1 and Part 2

You can also follow them on their social media channels below

Emily Hulbert -@emhulbert

Fergal Guihen - @Rossie_to_Aussie

David McCourt - @longwayhome__2022

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The Irishman Who Cycled Around the World | Tomas Mac An T-Saoir (Part 1)

Sat, 10 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0100

Ever wanted to go on a bike adventure that takes you from one side of the world to the other? Which countries would you choose to travel to? How do you decide where to go? Well this week I speak with Irish adventurer Tomas Mac An T-Saoir to hear all about his incredible travels across the last decade.

Follow Tomas on instagram to see where his future adventures take him: @anbotharfada

Other guests mentioned in this episode: Rebecca Lowe

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Exploring Kyrgyzstan on a Bike with Olly Hargreaves

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0100

Ever wanted to cycle in Kyrgyzstan? Well this week adventurer Olly Hargreaves is going to take us on his cycle tour and let us know what it's like to actually ride there. Goign up huge mountain passes, riding alongside the amazing Lake Issyk Kul, Olly tells us all about it as he shares the moments cycling from Osh all the way across Kyrgyzstan and into Kazakhstan, ultimately finishing in Almaty.

You can follow Olly's adventures via his instagram account - @Sagas.of_Olly.Hargreaves

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Malachi Francis - Ep 102

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Cycling From the UK all the way to Australia | Jamie Hargreaves and Malachi Francis

Sat, 03 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0100

What happens when two bike adventurers meet outside a supermarket in Turkey, buy a kebab, and end up riding more than half the world together?

I sat down with Jamie Hargreaves and Malachi Francis just days after they rolled into the Sydney Opera House, for an in person interview

We talk about how fast friendships form on the road, the reality behind the hardest days, and why some of the most miserable moments become the most meaningful in hindsight. Jamie reflects on following in his dad Phill's tyre tracks decades later, Malachi opens up about dealing with setbacks on the road and together they talk about what it really means to share a journey this big.

From cycling through Turkey, Nepal, and Central Asia to sleeping in toilets, carrying bikes to base camp, and rolling into the Sydney Opera House together this episode is honest, reflective, and sure to make you laugh.

Listen to the previous episodes with both Jamie and Malachi here:

Jamie Hargreaves - Ep 107

Jamie and Malachi - Ep 126 - Himalayan Challenge

Phill Hargreaves Part 1 and Part 2

Follow them on Instagram - @J.A.hargreaves @Malachi_Cycles

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Cycling the Australian High Country. Reaching the Horn by Bike

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 07:00:00 +0100

This week I'm sharing some of my own riding adventures - specifically ones I took just a few days ago over Christmas. I was camped by the Ovens River near Bright in Victoria, and I enjoyed some fantastic riding. This included a memorable cycle to The Horn, a lookout located 11kms further on from Mount Buffalo in Victoria. It's a climb I'd dreamt of riding for over a decade, and I'm sharing my experience of that ride now with you.

If you are interested in learning more about the riding around this area of Victoria, check out - Ride High Country, which is a great site for planning out your own stays.

For those in Melbourne get yourself tickets to our upcoming live shows:

January 07 - Antique Bar, Elsternwick

January 08 - Moondog Wild West, Footscray

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Cycling Mongolia to the UK: The Final Push Home | Claire Wyatt

Sat, 27 Dec 2025 07:00:00 +0100

Claire Wyatt returns for part two of her Mongolia to UK journey, sharing her experiences of cycling across winter roads, what it's like to hear wolves outside your tent in the night,the illness that put her in hospital and nearly ended her ride half way through and dreamy cycle routes through Northern Italy.

Claire also offers up practical advice for anyone wanting to start out on their own bike adventure, from choosing kit that actually matters - spoiler alert you'll want to get yourself some gardening gloves! - to how she plans out her routes.

This is part 2 of my conversation with Claire - listen to part 1 here.

Follow Claire's future adventures via her instagram - @exploringbybicycle

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Going to the Dogs: Steven Cuthbertson’s Solo Bike Ride Across Europe

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 07:00:00 +0100

Guest Steven Cuthbertson takes us on a ride from Romania to the UK. He shares the story of a 1,700 mile solo bike ride across Europe, ridden in support of a dog rescue charity that helped re-home his Romanian Shepherd dog, Stella.

Steve’s journey begins in Romania, at the very kennels where Stella once lived, before heading west through Hungary, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, and finally back to the UK. Along the way, he follows parts of the EuroVelo network, adapts his route when plans change, and discovers just how important flexibility can be on a long ride.

You can read about the full adventure in Steven's book - Going to the Dogs

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Cycling Across Australia Part 1

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Cycling from Mongolia to the UK: Claire Wyatt on Fear, Freedom, and Finishing a Dream (Part 1)

Sat, 20 Dec 2025 07:00:00 +0100

Claire Wyatt shares what it was like to be Cycling solo from Mongolia all the way back home to the UK

We also candidly discuss the reality of life on the road beyond the highlight reels. Riding through torrential rain for days. Camping in flooded fields. Battling extreme cold in Mongolia and brutal heat across Europe. Facing fear, self doubt, and the weight of other people’s worries. And learning to enjoy the hard moments just as much as the good ones.

We cover:

What it felt like to leave Mongolia and ride into remote wilderness
The reality of bad days on long bike journeys
Riding through extreme weather and harsh conditions
Managing fear and other people’s concerns as a solo woman
Acts of kindness that kept Claire moving forward
Route decisions from Central Asia through Europe
A last minute decision to cycle across the Pamirs
The mental shift that happens once you finish a long-held dream
Post-adventure blues and the power of micro adventures
Why nature and solitude matter so much after coming home

Check Claire out on Instagram via : @exploringbybicycle

Previous episodes with Claire;

Cycling Across Australia Part 2

Cycling Across SE Asia

Other guests mentioned in this episode:

Terri Jockerst

Laura Bastioli

Em Hulbert

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Cycling Through South Korea and Japan & Embracing Solo Adventures | Rebecca Gross

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 07:00:00 +0100

This week Rebecca Gross is sharing an update from her journey which will take us to South Korea and Japan. She lets us know what the infamous Four Rivers Route in South Korea was like to cycle on, as well as what she loved about riding in Japan - hint it's all about the onsens!

Rebecca also shares a mini solo adventure she took while in South Korea, one which made her realise what she was capable of.

Be sure to follow Rebecca's adventure via her instagram channel - @Rebecca_grb

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Cycling Around the World as the First Openly Trans Cyclist | Robbie Danger Webb

Sat, 13 Dec 2025 07:00:00 +0100

Robbie Danger Webb shares their experiences of becoming the first openly trans person to cycle around the world.

During the episode we learn how Robbie first got into bike travel, their experience gained from riding in their first event, the Tour Aotearoa in New Zealand, and then how they went all in on the world record ride itself.

We get into the highs and lows of this record breaking ride, and the realities of setting off to be the first openly Trans Person to do this. Robbie shares how they found community all over the world, dealt with the setback of getting hit by a car while in the U.S.A, and how the world isn't as scary as it may seem to be.

Be sure to follow Robbie's future adventures via their instagram @DirtDropRobbie

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A Bike Adventure Around Cappadocia in Turkey | Slauka AllRideGirl

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 07:00:00 +0100

Ever wanted to go Cycling in Turkey? Experience hot air balloons flying overhead in Cappadocia? Then you definitely want to listen to this episode where Slauka give us her account of what it's actually like to go bikepacking there. She talks about the history of the region, the landscapes around there, waking up to hot air balloons all around her tent and of course the extreme hospitality shown to her by the locals. You can follow Slauka via her instagram account- @allridegirl

You can also listen to our full length episode with Slauka where we talk about her experiences taking a 3 week bikepacking adventure in Norway.

During this episode i also shout out places many listeners are looking forward to going to on a bike adventure in 2026. Get involved with the community adn join us on instagram - @SeekTravelRide

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Bikepacking from Vietnam to Spain | Garbage Bag Boys

Sat, 06 Dec 2025 07:00:00 +0100

Guests Luke Fowler and Sam Edder share what it's been like on their bikepacking adventure from Vietnam to Spain. The two friends, better known as The Garbage Bag Boys have certainly chosen to take on some of the most challenging routes. Their journey so far has taken them through the punchy Ha Giang Loop and almost broke them as they pushed headfirst into the punishing winds of the Gobi Desert.

They've also taken on the Tian Shan Traverse and the Celestial Divide routes, as well as the Caucasas Crossing. I spoke to them while they were in Greece about to head into the final part of the journey.

This trip has been full of adventures, from surviving a roof-ripping storm in a derelict shack to pushing their bikes through deep sand for hours on end, Luke and Sam share brutally honest stories of hardship, freedom, privilege, wild landscapes, and the lessons they’re gathering along the way.

Together we talk about:

Hitchhiking across India
How two student paramedics decided to ride across the world
The storm that tore the roof off their shelter
The emotional weight of travel, privilege & storytelling
The Gobi Desert and why it's a place they never want to ride again
What brings meaning to long-term human-powered travel
How their perspectives have shifted along the journey
Why discomfort is equal parts addictive and transformative

Follow their adventures via their instagram - @GarbageBagsBoys

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Phill Hargreaves - Part 1

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Cycling the Pamir Highway: Everything You Need to Know | Olly Hargreaves

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 07:00:00 +0100

Dreaming of an adventure that takes you across the Pamir Highway? Listen to Olly Hargreaves share what it's actually like to cycle across them.

Olly is currently on a huge bike journey from the UK to Thailand. 40 Years ago his dad took a similar tour, and what is special is that he joined Olly for this section of the journey. It was certainly an adventure/mis-adventure, with bad roads, equipment failures and sickness all making an appearance.

You can follow Olly's journey via his instagram page - @sagas.of_Olly.Hargreaves

To listen to the two episodes featuring Olly's dad Phill Hargreaves click below:

Phill Hargreaves - Part 2

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Solo Bikepacking Adventures in Europe and Australia | Juliana Fontana

Sat, 29 Nov 2025 07:00:00 +0100

Australian adventurer Juliana Fontana shares her bikepacking experiences having just returned from a massive solo journey across Europe. That adventure began in Hungary, saw her riding over the Alps, and continuing all the way to Norway. Once there she realised she was having so much fun so she decided to ride all the way back again.

Now back in Australia Juliana has been continuing with her bike adventures and we also discuss her taking on sections of the Hunt 1000 bikepacking route from Canberra to Melbourne through the challenging Australian high country.

Her reflections on bikepacking in Europe vs Australia, overcoming fear when camping alone, and the generosity of strangers make this a must-listen for anyone dreaming of their first bike adventure or planning a long-distance tour.

You can follow Juliana via her instagram account - @juliana_ft

Other guests mentioned in this episode:

Sheelagh Daley

Claire Wyatt

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Bikepacking Morocco's Route of Caravans | Kurt Werby

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 07:00:00 +0100

This week adventurer Kurt Werby gives us an update on what it's been like so far cycling on the Route of Caravans in Morocco. This is one of the first longer bikepacking adventures Kurt has taken on and it's been great to hear how expectations have met up with reality there on the route.

We also hear what some of your favourite episodes have been as we celebrate 150 long form episodes of Seek Travel Ride, and lastly - hike a bike - do we love it or do we hate it?

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🌐 Website & Journey Updates

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Walking Across a Continent: A 6,000 km Trek for Mental Health | Mark Gresser

Sat, 22 Nov 2025 07:00:00 +0100

In this episode I’m joined by adventurer Mark Gresser, who is currently in the midst of a huge journey: walking solo across Australia from Steep Point in Western Australia to Cape Byron in the east, a distance of more than 6,000 kilometres.

Alogn with being a huge physical challenge, Mark is undertaking this expedition to raise awareness and support for youth mental health, partnering with the Australian organisation Batyr to encourage young people to speak up and seek help.

In our conversation, we discuss:

The moment Mark decided to attempt this massive walk
Mark's own mental health journey and experiences
How he physically and mentally prepared for the journey
What life really looks like walking alone through remote Australia
The set up of his walking cart which fully loaded can weigh up to 175kgs
The powerful purpose behind Trek 4 Youth Mental Health

Follow & Support Mark

💛 Donate to the Fundraiser:

📸 Instagram - @trek4youthmentalhealth

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Cycling adventures from the UK to India - Wild Experience in Georgia | Tom Cartledge

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 07:00:00 +0100

In 2013 Tom Cartledge and his friend Rhys James quit their jobs to ride from the UK to India. This week he shares his experiences while in the country of Georgia. Tom says his motivations for this adventure were to visit the 'spaces in between' the landmarks. Slow travel in this manner lets you see the areas you'd otherwise miss, on a train, plane or bus. Can you relate?

Tom has also written a book about his journey called Saddle Sores - which you can find available for purchase here.

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How a 10,000 km Bike Tour Led to the Three Peaks by Bike Record | Harriet Gruen

Sat, 15 Nov 2025 07:00:00 +0100

In this episode guest Harriet Gruen shares what it takes to go from novice cycle tourer to an ultra cycling record-breaker.

In 2022 she set off from London to ride 10,000 km to Central Asia. She'd barely ridden much at all and so she named the trip The Unlikely Adventure.

Along the way she fell in love with cycling and by the time she returned back to London 5 months later, she turned her mind to ultra-distance racing.

She's since lined up at events such as Dales Divide, Trans Pyrenees and Badlands, more recently she has et the fastest known female time on the Three Peaks by Bike Challenge, climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon while cycling the 700 km between them.

Follow Harriet via her instagram - @anunlikelyadventure and also her personal blog - An Unlikely Adventure

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Bikepacking Across the Tibetan Plateau in China | Rebecca Gross

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 07:00:00 +0100

This week guest, Rebecca Gross shares her experiences from cycling across China and the Tibetan Plateau. This was very much an unplanned inclusion on her bikepacking journey and it took her through breathtaking landscapes. It also gave her insights intoTibetan culture, and she also had to deal with some extreme weather. Rebecca opens up about kindness from strangers, moments of homesickness, and what it was like to travel sections of this area as a solo female cyclist too.

Follow Rebecca via her instagram account - @rebecca_grb

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Heinz Stücke: Life Lessons from 51 Years on the Road (Part 2)

Sat, 08 Nov 2025 07:00:00 +0100

Heinz Stücke returns for Part 2 where he shares the honest truths and life lessons learned from 51 years of cycling the world.

Listen if:
You’re curious about the real cost of a life of adventure, how long-term travel shapes a person, and what 51 years on a bicycle teaches you about the world.

Key takeaways:

The cost of long-term travel and what Heinz had to sacrifice to keep travelling
How travelling alone opened more doors for connection and kindness
How Heinz worked kept funding his travels and his bases for working out where to go next
The “a bike is a bike, is a damn bike” philosophy and why Heinz never romanticised his bicycle and stayed proudly Mr Analog
What decades of travel with paper maps and film cameras taught him that today’s digital world of internet, smartphones and GPS can't replicate
How Heinz is still permanently travelling now

Links mentioned:

Once again a big thank you to Lizzie Jenkins for coming along to film this interview. Be sure to give her a follow on Instagram - @Lizzie_Jenkins_Film

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Bikepacking the European Divide Trail - What's it Like? Mircea Arǎmescu

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 07:00:00 +0100

Ever wanted to go bikepacking on the European Divide Trail? It's the longest continuous off road route that crosses the European continent and this week Romanian bikepacker Mircea Arǎmescu is sharing with us his experiences from riding it this year.

Mircea is also the youngest person to have ridden the trail and he tells us all about his experiences specifically at the northern part of the trail. You can find Mircea on instagram via his account - @Mircea0907

Previous episodes featuring the EDT are:

Rebekka Wiedener

Russell Nankervis

This week I also shared your top tips on what to tell someone who is keen to get started with their first bike adventure.

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Heinz Stücke: 51 Years Cycling Around the World (Part 1)

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 07:00:00 +0100

I’m joined by Heinz Stücke, the world’s most travelled cyclist, to reveal how a one-year bike trip became 51 years of cycling the world. This is part 1 of 2 from our conversations.

Huge thanks to Lizzie Jenkins who filmed our session. Check her out on insta - @Lizzie_Jenkins_Film

Listen If:

You love a good “how on earth did that happen?” travel story, you’re craving a nudge to shake up your routine, or you want to hear from someone who chose perpetual travel and adventure over the expected path in life.

Key Takeaways:

Start small, then keep going.
Heinz didn’t set out to travel for 51 years, he just kept saying “yes” to the next road.
People make the journey.
The most important aspect for Heinz were the encounters, kindness, and tiny moments he collected with people.
Movement clears the mind.
For Heinz, cycling was his “yoga.”

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What's it Like to Travel in Afghanistan? Olly Hargreaves

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 07:00:00 +0100

This week we have an update from Olly Hargreaves all about his time spent cycling through Afghanistan. He shares some great insights about what it has been like to cycle through the country, his experiences meeting the locals as well as the Taliban themselves. We are tracking Olly's journey from the UK to Thailand with these periodic updates and it is amazing to see his progress so far. Be sure to give him a follow via his instagram page - @sagas.of_olly.hargreaves

I also share tips from the community about locking up your bike when on tour.

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Tandem Bike Adventures: Cycling the World as a Couple | Di and Colin

Sat, 25 Oct 2025 07:00:00 +0200

We get into the world of Tandem adventures with Di and Colin, a dynamic duo from Scotland who first rode a tandem bike on a blind date and haven't looked back since.

They share about their adventures through the UK and France, and how a recent stage 4 Prostate Diagnosis has focused them more sharply on continuing to live life to the full.

Read their blog - Matilda's Musings

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Cycling the World on a Tandem Bike: Federico and Baaska's Story

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 07:00:00 +0200

Ever wondered what it would be like to travel through a country on a Tandem bicycle? This week Federico and Baaska are going to tell us all about their experience and a day cycling in Malaysia

Follow them on instagram - @Fedenbaaska

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Travel Adventure from London to South Africa: Paul Edkins

Sat, 18 Oct 2025 07:00:00 +0200

Guest Paul Edkins takes us on an adventure from London to South Africa. He had zero experience of bike travel before setting off on this adventure. Along the way he was also fundraising for the Black Mambas the world's first female anti-poaching unit.

Listen if:
You're looking for inspiration to set off on your own huge adventure.

Key takeaways:

Trust yourself. You’ll make mistakes sure, but that’s where the real lessons live.
Stay flexible. Plan a few days at a time and let how you feel decide the route.
It's all about the people you meet. The bike travel community is awesome.
People want to help you. The world is kinder than the news makes it seem.

Links mentioned:

Paul’s Instagram: @holidayspirit99
The Black Mambas — all-female anti-poaching unit in South Africa

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What Bikepacking in Mongolia Is Really Like | Rebecca Gross

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 07:00:00 +0200

If you've ever wondered what travelling through Mongolia would be like this episode is going to take you righ there. This week Rebecca Gross is giving us an update from her bike adventures through Mongolia. Think of huge, open landscapes, river crossings, dreamy wildcamps, sandy roads, headwinds, yurts everything!

Be sure to follow Rebecca via her instagram - @rebecca_grb and watch her bike adventure unfold.

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Cycling Ireland to Australia (Part 2): Big Moments | Fergal Guihen

Sat, 11 Oct 2025 07:00:00 +0200

This is part 2 of Fergal Guihen's travel adventure from Roscommon, Ireland to Sydney, Australia. You can listen to Part 1 here.

In Part 2 of his ride from Ireland to Australia, Fergal Guihen shares what it took to push through freezing nights in China, a terrifying attack and being suspected as being a spy in Iran, discovering Afghanistan, and tackling the Ha Giang loop in Vietnam.

Fergal also speaks about how he has dealt with the loneliness he has felt many times on his journey and how doing what he says he is going to do like cycling to the top of Mt Bromo in Indonesia, has given him the confidence to continue his journey all the way to Sydney.

Follow Fergal’s adventureon Instagram @rossi_to_aussie

Other Guests mentioned during the episode:

Samer Abouhamad

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Central Asia by Bike: Silk Road Magic & Tough Moments | Olly Hargreaves

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 07:00:00 +0200

This week we have another update from teh road by intrepid adventurer Olly Hargreaves who is making his way from the UK to Thailand. This update takes us specifically to what it's been like cycling through Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, on the route of the Old Silk Road.

You can follow Olly's travels via his instagram - @sagas.of_olly.hargreaves

You can also hear his dad Phill's previous two episodes here: Part 1 and Part 2

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Cycling Adventure From Rossie to Aussie: Fergal Guihen (Pt 1)

Sat, 04 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +0200

From not knowing how to fix a puncture to leaving Ireland to cycle to Australia via Iran, Afghanistan, China and beyond, Fergal Guihen shows how saying yes to fear can change everything.

Listen if: You’ve ever thought, “I’d love to take off on an adventure… but I wouldn’t even know where to start.”

Key takeaways:

Fear is the compass: When faced with two routes, Fergal picked the scarier one and discovered for him this would lead to the richest experiences.
Hospitality beats headlines: The countries that made him most nervous (Iran, Afghanistan, China) turned out to be the most generous.
Commit out loud: Telling others he was going made backing out impossible. Accountability is the fuel for your adventure.

Golden quote: “I’d rather try and fail than not try at all.”

Links mentioned in this episode:

Donate to Fergal’s fundraiser for suicide prevention Mayo Roscommon Hospice & NorthWest Stop:

Follow Fergal on Instagram

Previous Guests and episodes mentioned:

David McCourt - Part 1 and Part 2

Emily Hulbert

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What Bikepacking Across Europe Is Really Like | Juliana Fontana

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 07:00:00 +0200

This week listener Juliana Fontana recounts an unforgettable experience during her bikepacking adventure across Europe. She tells us about an encounter in Latvia with a 90year old legend called Imants. This one will put a huge smile on your face guaranteed!

Follow the rest of Juliana's bikepacking adventures via her instagram - @juliana_ft

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How to Chase Cycling Records Without Burning Out | Samuel Thompson

Sat, 27 Sep 2025 07:00:00 +0200

How do you ride 4,750km around France and set a world record without falling into the trap of needless suffering? Guest Samuel Thompson shares his experiences doing just that.

Listen if: you’re curious about ultra-cycling, want smarter strategies for big goals, or just love a good pastry-fueled adventure.

Key takeaways:

Routine beats heroics: Consistency in sleep, riding hours, and food is more sustainable than “one more push”
Prep trumps panic: Plan your route, resupply, and logistics ahead so you can actually enjoy the ride
Gratitude shifts the game: Remembering you get to do this makes even the hard moments lighter
Food is strategy: Sometimes 19 ice creams and 4 croissants in a day is exactly the fuel you need.

Follow Samuel via his instagram - @touriste.routier and @acier.cc

You can also check out his coaching services via - Acier.cc

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Bikepacking the Route of Caravans in Morocco | Kurt Werby

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 07:00:00 +0200

This week I feature listener Kurt Werby who is giving us an update on his upcoming bikepacking adventure on Route of Caravans in Morocco. I first featured Kurt earlier this year when he decided to take on this route. Now just a couple of weeks from beginning the adventure we hear how Kurt has prepared himself for taking this one on.

Follow Kurt via his instagram account - @kurtwerby

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What Bikepacking Across England Taught Me | Veronica White

Sat, 20 Sep 2025 07:00:00 +0200

Guest Veronica White turned her PhD research into a 3,200 km bikepacking adventure across England, meeting women farmers and rethinking the future of food.

Listen if: You’re curious about mixing purpose with adventure, love hearing how people tackle big journeys on two wheels, or want a fresh perspective on food and farming.

Key takeaways:

🚴 Sometimes the best way to do research (or life!) is to take it out of the library and into the real world.
🌱 Farming futures involves listening to farmers themselves to learn and reshape how we think about food.
🥧 Bike adventures rarely go to plan (vanilla pudding for breakfast, anyone?), but those detours often lead to the best stories.

Links mentioned in the episode:

Veronica’s Instagram: @farmingfutures_cycle
Blog: Coves to Cliffs

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How to Combine Cycling and Train Travel for Bike Adventures | Stevie Thissen

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 07:00:00 +0200

This week the roles are flipped and I get interviewed by Ultracyclist Stevie Thissen who has just recently finished racing the Transcontinental Race.

We talk about combining bike travel with using trains as well. The joys of slow travel, what it's like to finish a huge race like the TCR and Stevie's best strategies for dealing with aggressive dogs while on a bike adventures.

Be sure to follow Stevie via her instagram - @st3__vi3 and keep your eyes peeled for an upcoming episode covering her full TCR experience.

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Around the World Bikepacking Adventure: Samer Abouhamad

Sat, 13 Sep 2025 07:00:00 +0200

What cycling 73,000 km across 6 continents taught Samer about resilience, freedom, and the world.

Listen if: You’re interested in how long-distance adventures change your perspective on life, freedom, and what really matters.

Key takeaways:

Start before you’re ready: Don’t overthink—begin, and momentum will carry you through.
Freedom is simple: Food, water, health, and a bike can be enough for happiness.
Share the road wisely: Riding solo builds independence, but the right companion makes the ride richer.

Golden quote: “It’s like the closest I’ve ever been and ever will be to freedom—just being on your bike.”

Be sure to follow Samer via his instagram account - @lion.samer

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Cycling Scotland's Long Distance Routes: What It's Really Like | Iza Murtagh

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 07:00:00 +0200

This week I'm re-releasing an excerpt from my longer episode with Audax rider Iza Murtagh. You can listen to the full episode here.

If you live in or near Edinburgh be sure to check out the Towpath Talks events which are co-hosted by Iza. Find out more about Towpath Talks here:

Follow Iza's adventures on Instagram - @iza.murtagh

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Cycling Across Australia: Laura Bastioli

Sat, 06 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0200

This week we are being taken on a bike tour from Melbourne through the centre of Australia. Guest Laura Bastioli shares her experiences on an adventure which has so far taken her to Alice Springs.

We discuss how she got into bikepacking in the first place, what it was like to see iconic sights like the Great Ocean Road and Uluru, as well as a very challenging time dealing with muddy roads on the Mawson Trail. Laura shares how she has dealt with equipment failures, what it's like to cycle in the sparse Australian Outback and what she is looking forward to as she continues the journey onto Darwin.

Keep up with Laura's adventure via her instagram page - @basti.onthemove

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Planning a 4-Week Bike Adventure? Here’s the Top Destinations

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 07:00:00 +0200

Where would you go for a 4 week bike adventure? I posed the question to our Seek Travel Ride community on instagram and this is what you came up with.

I'm also showcasing listener Laura Kelland-May who shares how she first discovered bike travel and how now she and her husband are planning future bike tours to escape the Canadian Winters.

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How to Build a Life of Adventure | Steph Devery

Sat, 30 Aug 2025 07:00:00 +0200

The adventures continue with our guest Steph Devery. Since completing her journey from Europe to South Africa. We get together to talk about her bikepacking trip on the Route des Grandes Alpes, hiking the GR20 in Corsica and how combining back country ski touring with bikepacking made for an epic adventure in the Yukon and Alaska.

Missed our original episode with Steph - check it out here and be sure to follow her on instagram - @stephdevery

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A bike adventure in Kenya: Paul Edkins

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 07:00:00 +0200

This week Paul Edkins shares quote the adventurous night spent in Kenya while on a bike adventure from London to South Africa.

You can follow Paul via his instagram account - @holidayspirit99

For more information about the Black Mambas or to support their work, visit their official page: Black Mambas – Helping Rhinos

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What's it like to be a Warm Showers Host: Martine Gijsbrechts

Sat, 23 Aug 2025 07:00:00 +0200

What’s it really like to open your home to strangers cycling the world? In this episode, Guest Martine Gijsbrechts shares her stories, lessons, and how her hospitality of hosting bike travellers has made her a part of countless bike adventures.

Listen If…

You’re curious about:

What it’s like to host bike travelers through Warm Showers
How simple acts of kindness shape unforgettable journeys
The inspiring ripple effect of adventure and connection

You can follow Martine via her instagram account - @mgijsbre

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Bikepacking Kyrgyzstan to China - What's it Been Like? Rebecca Gross

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 07:00:00 +0200

What's it actually like to go bikepacking through Kyrgyzstan to China? This week I feature another update from our intrepid adventurer Rebecca Gross who shares her experiences once more.

Be sure to check out Rebecca on Instagram - @rebecca_grb as well as her YouTube channel to see visuals the behind the adventures.

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Bikepacking the Trans Dinarica Cycling Route : Anne Kress

Sat, 16 Aug 2025 07:00:00 +0200

Thinking of riding the Trans Dinarica Cycling Route? This episode is for you!

When her van broke down in Crete, Anne Kress decided not to book a flight to get back home to Germany. Instead, she grabbed her 20-year-old mountain bike and camping gear, then cycled 3,300km home through 11 countries.

Listen if: You love spontaneous adventures, dream about bikepacking the Balkans, or want proof that bike adventures can start with small, imperfect gear.

The story in a nutshell:
Anne was midway through a climbing trip in Crete when her camper van broke down in the middle of nowhere. With Easter shutdown looming, not wanting to take a flight home, and stranded in the what felt like the 'middle of nowhere', she decided to ride it her old mountain bike all the way back to Germany. Not via the “boring” coastal route, but off-road through the newly created Trans Dinarica route through the Balkans. All up she cycled over 3,300 km, with a hefty 63,000 meters of climbing as well.

Key takeaways:

Listen to your inner voice: The wild idea in your head might be the one that changes everything.
Start with what you’ve got: You don’t need a shiny gravel bike to take on an adventure. Anne rode her third-hand, 20 year old mountain bike
Open yourself to people: Human connections are the true highlights for Anne from this adventure.

Golden quote: “I listened to my intuition… and suddenly I had the idea: I could ride home.”

Read more about the Trans Dinarica Cycle Route

Follow Anne on Instagram - @anneadventure.de

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Cycling Land's End to John O'Groats on a Folding Bike | Riding the Transcontinental Race

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 07:00:00 +0200

Imagine cycling from Lands End to John O'Groats...on a folding bike! Well Listener Bobby Reading who has just set off to do exactly that. JBobby's family sadly lost three grandparents in the space of just a few weeks and he is using the ride as a fundraiser for Care Rights UK. Follow Bobby via his instagram account - @bigbobsadventures and you can donate to his fundraiser here.

We also hear from Tom and Gavin from @BlindlyCycling about being the first pair to attempt the Transcontinental Race on a Tandem bike.

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A Bikepacking Adventure through Norway: Slauka Macurak

Sat, 09 Aug 2025 07:00:00 +0200

Ever wanted to go bikepacking in Norway? Listen to guest Slauka Macurak share what it was like during her 3 week adventure from the Lofoten Islands all the way to the North Cape.

Slauka discusses logistics, weather, time of year to travel as well as options for wildcamping and resupply along her route. She also shows us that you don't need to have loads of bikepacking experience before giving an adventure like this a go.

Be sure to follow Slauka on via her instagram channel - @AllRideGirl to keep up with her future adventures.

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Bikepacking Turkey and Georgia: Wild Roads and What to Expect | Olly Hargreaves

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 07:00:00 +0200

What's it been like to cycle through Turkey and Georgia? This midweek episode we get an update from Olly Hargreaves who is currently making his way from the UK to Thailand. Be sure to give him a follow via his instagram account - @sagas.of_olly.hargreaves

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Cycle Touring as a Way to Discover the Food Culture of a Country: Felicity Cloake

Sat, 02 Aug 2025 07:00:00 +0200

What's it like to combine a passion for food with that of cycle touring? Our guest Felicity Cloake is an award-winning food writer and author. She shares how she fell in love with cycle touring and how it's become the perfect vehicle (literally!) for combining food, travel, and storytelling.

We chat through her three major bike touring adventures: discovering the best pastries and regional cuisine through France, rating fry-ups across the UK, and her latest bike adventure which involved cycling across the United States coast-to-coast, in search of iconic (and surprising) American eats.

We also chat about Felicity's recently released book, Peach Street to Lobster Lane: Coast to Coast in Search of Real American Cuisine.

Be sure to check out Felicity's books via the following links for those in the UK and Rest of the World.

You can also follow Felicity on instagram - @FelicityCloake as well as her website

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Cycling South Africa to Italy: A 10,000 km Bikepacking Journey | Giacomo Turc

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 07:00:00 +0200

Ever wondered what makes people take on huge, challenging bike adventures? This update from previous guest Giacomo Turco shares why he has decided to take on a huge journey through Africa so close after he finished his adventure through South America. Giacomo is currently in Namibia - be sure to follow his adventures unfold as he cycles north all the way home to Italy.

Instagram - @cycling.beyond Youtube channel cycling.beyond

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Bikepacking 7,500 km for Marine Conservation | Wheels & Whales - Ben Boxer

Sat, 26 Jul 2025 07:00:00 +0200

What happens when you mix bikepacking, killer whales, and environmental conservation? Ben Boxer’s Wheels and Whales adventure takes us on a 7,500 km ride across the UK, matching the distance of his flight to Vancouver while exploring the wild beauty of his local coastline.

In this episode Ben shares how cycling, marine conservation, and adventure come together to create purpose-driven journeys that leave a lasting impact.

You can contribute to Ben's fundraiser here: https://givestar.io/gs/movement-for-nature

Follow Ben on Instagram - @beanboxer and read his articles about his adventure here.

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How to Watch the Tour de France from the Roadside: A Cycling Fan's

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 07:00:00 +0200

Ever wanted to be in France during the Tour de France and watch the riders race by you while cheering them on by the roadside?

Well this year I went to two stages of the Tour and I'm sharing my experience of doing so with you in this episode.

Interested in watching the footage from these two days? Check out the film on YouTube.

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What's it Like to Cycle Tour through Africa? Meryem Belkihel - Re-release

Sat, 19 Jul 2025 07:00:00 +0200

Imagine taking a bike adventure from Morocco all the way to Cape Town? Well this week I'm re-sharing one of my favourite episodes with guest Meryem Belkihel. Meryem is a solo female traveller from Morocco who is on a mission to cycle throughout Africa. She has been on the road for over 2 years now and I caught up with her about her journey while she was in Cape Town to find out all about her trip.

Follow Meryem's adventures via her Instagram account - @meghyem0ut

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What's it like to go cycling in Norway? Slauka aka - AllRideGirl

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 07:00:00 +0200

Ever wanted to go on a bike adventure in Norway? Well listen to Slauka share her experiences from spending 3 weeks bikepacking her way through this amazing country all the way to the North Cape.

You can follow Slauka on instagram via @AllRideGirl and keep an eye out in the weeks to come for a full length episode featuring this amazing adventure.

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What's Cycling the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route Really Like? Katrina Hase - (re-release)

Sat, 12 Jul 2025 07:00:00 +0200

Ever thought of riding the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route? Then you'll love listening to my conversation with Katrina Hase who did exactly that to celebrate her 50th birthday no less!

This episode originally aired in April 2024 and I'm proud to be featuring Katrina's story once more on the podcast as I take a mini break from new episodes.

You can follow Katrina's future adventures via her instagram channel - @birdsnbikesnballet as well as her YouTube Channel @KatrinaHase

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What's it like to go bikepacking in Kyrgyzstan: Javi a.k.a the Hacker Bikepacker

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 07:00:00 +0200

Ever wanted to go on a bike adventure in Kyrgyzstan? Then listen to Javi (@hacker.bikepacker on instagram) tell us all about his experiences while he cycles there right now!

I also share updates from Samuel Thompson's Tour de France Randonneur Challenge - @touriste.routier as well as my experiences riding with both @MartasWay and @ExploringByBicycle

Keen to watch some awesome women out there on a bike adventure? then be sure to give Alice Terre - @alice.terre and Laura Bastioli - @basti.onthemove a follow.

I also share your responses to a queestion I posed on instagram which is what is a luxury item that you take with you on a bikepacking adventure!

Interested in Helinox Chairs - check them out here! It won't cost you any extra but will help the show out if you make a purchase using this link.

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Bike Adventure Travel as a Way of Life: Helen Dainty - Re-release

Sat, 05 Jul 2025 07:00:00 +0200

Ever gone on a bike adventure and then wished it didn't have to come to an end? Well in this episode I speak with full time bike traveller Helen Dainty (Hels) who has been full time on the road since 2016. Hels talks candidly about what life is like on the road as a solo female, gives us tips on wild camping, insights into travelling through Saudi Arabia as the first women to do so independantly and also how she has structured her life to live full time on the road.

This episode originally aired in September 2023 and is a re-release. You can keep up to date with Hels' adventures via her instagram - @helsonwheels and her YouTube channel.

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The Reality of Cycling Across Europe and Turkey: Olly Hargreaves

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 07:00:00 +0200

This week we hear from Olly Hargreaves who shares updates from his current bike tour. Olly fills us in on what it has been like on the road cycling from Austria to Turkey.

Be sure to follow Olly via his instagram account

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What 12 Years of Bike Adventures Taught Me: Alee Denham, CyclingAbout - Re-release

Sat, 28 Jun 2025 07:00:00 +0200

This week we revisit my fantastic discussion with long term bike traveller Alee Denham. Alee is the name and face behind CyclingAbout, which has arguably become the premier website for all things bike travel. But did you also know Alee has been living the bike nomad lifestyle for over 12 years now? We chat about how he first got into bike travel, how he plans his routes, a near death experience in the Andes and Alee's pick for the top 5 countries to cycle in.

To follow Alee's adventure check him out on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and of course his CyclingAbout website.

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Cycling Across the Pamir Highway: Rebecca Gross

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 07:00:00 +0200

Ever dreamed about cycling across the Pamir highway? Well intrepid adventurer Rebecca Gross fills us in on her adventure and what it has been like on the road. This update from Rebecca covers her time in Iran, Iraq and then finally in Tajikistan riding in the Pamirs. Be sure to follow Rebecca on Instagram - @rebecca_grb to see the incredible images behind this adventure

During the episode I also share some of the hardest moments faced on a bike adventure from fellow listeners of the podcast.

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Cycling All the Way from Europe to Africa: Steph Devery - Revisited

Sat, 21 Jun 2025 07:00:00 +0200

Steph Devery is an Australian Adventurer who spent the best part of three years cycling solo from Europe to Africa. As I take a mini break from the podcast this week I am re-releasing our episode from February 2024, which was recorded with Steph just weeks after she completed that incredible journey.

Keep your eye out in the weeks to come for a fresh new episode featuring the adventures Steph has taken since this monumental trip, and be sure to also give her a follow on instagram - @stephdevery

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What's it like to go Cycling Across the USA: Jack Owens

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 07:00:00 +0200

Ever wanted to cycle across the USA? Listener Jack Owens shares what it has been like so far on his bike tour as he raises funds for Ride Hard, Breathe Easy

I also provide an update on the progress of Samuel Thompson who is currently undertaking the Tour de France Randonneur Challenge. You can track his progress here.

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Bikepacking Adventures in Wales, Scotland,France and Morocco: Ceri Belshaw

Sat, 14 Jun 2025 07:00:00 +0200

Guest Ceri Belshaw first came to cycling as a way to cross train for fell running. She has since found a passion for off road bikepacking and you'll often find her in the backcountry in Wales seeking out adventurous routes to ride.
She is also an avid photography and is currently writing Gravel Bike Wales and especially enjoys sharing the stoke for off road bikepacking with others.
Follow Ceri's adventures - Instagram - @StillsByCeri and her personal website

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Click here to see live commentary and track Samuel's progress along the route

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Tour de France Randonneur Challenge: Samuel Thompson. 4800km in 13 Days - Here We Go!

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 06:00:00 +0200

Fancy a 4,800km bike adventure all around the perimeter of France? Well that is exactly what is ahead for guest Samuel Thompson who is about to take on the Tour de France Randonneur challenge on June 15, 2025. This brevet route is a nod to the Touriste Routiers of old, and Samuel hopes to complete the challenge in under 13 days. In order to do so he must pass through 61 control points, and climb a whopping 45,000m of ascent.

Follow Samuel on instagram - @Touriste.Routier

Read more about the challenge here

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Cycling From Australia to China and Beyond: The Water Cycle - Emily Hulbert

Sat, 07 Jun 2025 07:00:00 +0200

Emily Hulbert is on an incredible bike adventure with an extra sense of purpose. Her mission is called the Water Cycle and along her journey she is assisting remote communities in need of clean drinking water by delivering them water filtration units. This project was set up by Emily and her friend Shawnee Turner and its incredibly impactful.

During the episode we also learn about some of the incredible adventures Em has enjoyed along the way. How she gave up life as a professional football player and has since set out on her incredible bike adventure. She's taken on the challenge of the Gibb River Road in Australia's West, crossed through SE Asia, had an incredibly fulfilling time in China, and is now in Northeast India where her project on the water cycle continues to deliver.

Want to help out with the water cycle - reach out to Emily via her instagram - @EmHulbert and check out her GoFundMe page for more information here.

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Cycling in Southern India: Ted Eliason

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 07:00:00 +0200

What is is like to go cycle touring in India? Well this week listener Ted Eliason shares what it was like during one day of his incredible 82,300km+ adventure cycling around the world. Ted is taking us to Southern India and a transformative experience which occured for him there while visiting one of the temples there.

You can follow Ted via his instagram account - @bikingthebluemarble

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Jamie Hargreaves - Ep 107

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The Himalayan Challenge - A Cycling Adventure Like No Other - Jamie Hargreaves & Malachi Francis

Sat, 31 May 2025 07:00:00 +0200

Imagine taking your bike all the way around the Annapurna Circuit, Annapurna Base Camp and Everest Base Camp? A triple crown like no other some would say. This is exaxtly what guests Jamie Hargreaves and Malachi Francis have done and I had the pleasure to talk to them all about it, as well as fiinding out what it has been like being on such a big cycle touring adventure together.

You can also listen to the previous episodes featuring them both below:

Malachi Frances - Ep 102

Here are the links to the episodes with Jamie’s dad Phill:

Phill Hargreaves Part 1

Phill Hargreaves Part 2

Follow Jamie and Malachi via their social channels below:

Jamie Hargreaves

Instagram - @J.A.Hargreaves

Facebook - Jamie Hargreaves

Malachi Francis

Instagram - @malachi_cycles

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A Bikepacking Adventure in Morocco - Route of the Caravans: Kurt Werby

Tue, 27 May 2025 07:00:00 +0200

Ever wanted to go bikepacking in Morocco? Well we are featuring listener Kurt Werby who is preparing himself to do exactly that in October 2025. Kurt has kindly agreed to share his story and let us know what it is like in the lead up to taking this adventure, how he is preparing for his first bikepacking journey and what he is especially looking forward to. We will then be checking in with Kurt to see how the adventure unfolds.

In the meantime you can also follow Kurt via his instagram account - @kurtwerby

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Discovering Bikepacking ,the Baja Divide and Why Age is No Barrier for Adventure: May Tettero

Sat, 24 May 2025 07:00:00 +0200

Fancy taking on the Baja Divide? A bikepacking tour around Cuba or perhaps a ride along the Camino de Santiago? Well then you'll enjoy this chat with guest May Tettero, who has discovered how energising the world of off-road bikepacking can be.

We discuss May's journey from moving to Canada at age 13 and losing her cycling freedom, to finding it again decades later. May shares what her first bikepacking experiences touring through Cuba were like, how she chose to bikepack the Camino de Santiago to process grief, and how she has come to tackling challenging routes like the Baja Divide.

We also speak about overcoming ageism in bike packing, the therapeutic benefits of cycling, and how it's helped her to embrace the highs and lows of life.

May has previously shared one day of her trip before for a mini episode of the podcast and you can listen to it here:

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What's it like to go bikepacking in New Zealand: Warwick Prewer

Tue, 20 May 2025 07:00:00 +0200

Ever wanted to go bikepacking in New Zealand? Well today's episode features listener Warwick Prewer sharing his experiences from a trip he took along the stunning Coromandel Peninsula on the North Island of New Zealand.

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A Cycling Adventure From the Netherlands to Iran: Jippe Witteveen

Sat, 17 May 2025 07:00:00 +0200

Ever wanted to take a bike tour from Europe to the Middle East? Listen to guest Jippee Witteveen who shares exactly what it was like for him doing this exact journey!

Prior to this bike adventure Jippe had enjoyed hiking on the Camino but this was his first real long distance adventure on a bike and it's fair to say it was pretty transformative. You can follow Jippe's future adventures via his instagram account - @jippewitteveen and also read his blog posts via his website.

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A Cycling Adventure Through Africa - Daragh Cronin - and an update from Olly Hargreaves

Tue, 13 May 2025 07:00:00 +0200

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Cycling Across Continents: 11 Years of Bike Travel - Ewa Świderska

Sat, 10 May 2025 07:00:00 +0200

Ever wondered what it would be like to go bike travelling for years at a time? What about over a decade? Well Polish adventurer Ewa Świderska, has spent the past 11 years cycling across various regions including the historic Silk Road, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and Europe.

Ewa shares her experiences of long-term solo travel as a woman, the impact on personal relationships, financial sustainability, and her unique approaches to overcoming challenges on the road.

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The Realities of Bikepacking: When Things Don't Go to Plan - Rebecca Gross

Tue, 06 May 2025 06:00:00 +0200

What's it like when you are on a long distance bike tour and things don't quite go as you'd like? Well this week I have another audio update from our intrepid bike travelling adventurer Rebecca Gross.

Rebecca along with her partner Javi, left their home in Austria in March, headed for the Pamirs. This is Rebecca's first forray into long distance bike travel and she is sharing updates of her journey periodically.

She and Javi have just left Turkey and have now entered Kurdistan. Rebecca candidly shares the reality of the last few days, and a moment where she just wanted to give it all up and go home.

You can follow Rebecca and Javi via their Instagram accounts - @Rebecca_GRB and @Hacker.Bikepacker

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A Cycling Adventure Through West Africa: Jude Kriwald Part 2 - re-release

Sat, 03 May 2025 06:00:00 +0200

This is part 2 of my interview with Jude Kriwald and goes into detail on his most recent bicycle adventure through West Africa. Jude spent 3 months touring off the beaten path in West Africa, a tour which came over ten years since his last big adventure where he cycled from England to India. Jude had been transfixed on the notion of what it would be like to be completely in the middle of a jungle in Liberia and this indeed was the best way to find out.

He recalled some captivating details from this journey, from camping at the base of a huge waterfall, to spending 7 days deep in the Liberian Jungle - 3 of those totally alone barely able to travel more than 10 kms a day.

If you've missed out on Part 1 of Jude's adventures you can check out that episode here

Follow Jude's adventures be sure to check him out via:
Instagram - @JudeKriwald
YouTube - @JudeKriwald
Blog - www.englandtoindia.blogspot.com
Website: - Adventure Mentor - Jude's new initiative to help other people on the path to adventure

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Cycling Across Australia and What's the Best Country for Bike Travel?

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +0200

This week we hear an unforgettable story about cycling across Australia from fan Mark Doble.

I also share your thoughts on what the best country for bike travel is and also give an update on where some of our previous podcast guests are up to now on their bike adventures!

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Cycling All the Way From England to India: Jude Kriwald

Sat, 26 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +0200

This is a re-release of part 1 of my episode with Jude Kriwald covering his amazing journey from England to India as a 19 year old.

You can listen to part 2 of that conversation here:

Follow Jude via:

Instagram - @JudeKriwald

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Gravel Odyssey Adventures - What's it like to Cycle in Sweden?

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 07:00:00 +0200

Ever wanted to go riding in Sweden? Well this week I feature Peter from Gravel Odyssey who is going to tell us all about what it's like to explore the gravel roads there. Peter and his partner put Gravel Odyssey together as a way of building a community of people around bike travel. The rides aim to help us to connect to the outdoors, swap stories and build memories together. You can find out more about them here: Gravel Odyssey

I'm also giving a shoutout to the many bike travellers who responded to an instagram question sharing where it is you are tuning into the podcast from! The response to this blew me away!

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A Cycling Adventure from Australia to N.Ireland: David McCourt pt. 2

Sat, 19 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +0200

David McCourt shares his experiences of Cycling from Australia to Northern Ireland on a huge journey he aptly titled ' the long way home'.

This is the second time I've featured David's story - click here to listen to the first episode.

You can follow David via his instagram - @longwayhome__2022

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Cycling from the UK All the Way to Thailand!: Olly Hargreaves

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +0200

Imagine cycling all the way from the UK to Thailand? Well that is exactly what guest Olly Hargreaves is going to be doing and I'm thrilled to say that we will be tracking his journey all along the way.

This is the first part in what will be a series of updates about Olly's journey. In this episode Olly gives us details on his preparation and motivations for this journey as well as what he is looking forward to. Over the next few months we will be receiving updates from Olly letting us know what it's actually like out there on tour!

You can follow Olly's journey via:

Instagram - @sagas.of_olly.hargreaves

Facebook - Olly Hargreaves

TikTok: - @OllyHargreaves1

Find out more about his charity fundraiser for Alzheimers Research UK here

Arev and Mathias' YouTube Channel is here - @AmazingWorldBikeTour

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Building a Bike Travel Community for Women - Bike Travel Fest: Rare Femmes

Sat, 12 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +0200

Laura, Berta, and Cris are dedicated bike travellers and also the founders of Bike Travel Fest. The festival, now in its second edition, aims to bring the bikepacking community together and encourage more women to get into bike travel. We explore their personal bike travel experiences, how they came to organise this unique event, and the importance of building a supportive bike travel community.

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An Unexpected Adventure Cycling Through Turkey: Rebecca Gross Update No. 3

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 07:00:00 +0200

Sometimes you need to take the adventurous path when cycle touring and in our latest audio update from Rebecca Gross we find out why!

We are featuring updates from Rebecca as she makes her way from her home in Austria all the way to the Pamirs. In this update she shares what it was like reaching Turkey having crossed Europe and what that first day cycling from the Turkish Coast was like. You can follow Rebecca's journey via her instagram @rebecca_grb

I also feature answers from our listeners about what the word adventure means to them.

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Cycle Touring Adventures Through Europe and Asia: Terri Jockerst - Age is Just a Number

Sat, 05 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +0200

Listen to Terri Jockerst take us on her cycle touring adventures from Norway to Malta and then through Taiwan, Japan and South Korea. Terri is living proof age need not get in the way of an adventure. She is 67 years old and loves spending her retirement taking solo cycle tours. Her tours last several months at a time, she wildcamps where possible and strongly believes that bike touring is the best way to discover a country, it's history and it's culture. In the episode we explore:

Cycling Norway to Malta - 3 journeys taken over 3 years
Highlights from cycling through remote and wild landscapes
Overcoming perceived age barriers - Terri is proof age shouldn't get in the way of a good adventure.
Cycling through Taiwan, Japan and South Korea
The incredible kindness of strangers along the way
Advice for anyone dreaming of their own bikepacking adventure

📲 Follow Terri Jockerst:

Instagram: @footloosefreckle
YouTube: @footloosefreckle

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Bikepacking Adventures in the Canadian Rocky Mountains & What Does Adventure Mean?

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 07:00:00 +0200

Could you imagine going on a bike adventure as a family with two young children? Well this week we are hearing from Eglė Cibienė who is doing exactly that with her husband Liudivikas and their two small toddlers. Hear all about their experiences on one day cycling in the Rocky Mountains in Canada. You can follow their journey via their instagram channel - @eglezidonyte

Join me in London for our Beyond the Bike Live Shows. Book your tickets below:

Beyond the Bike - May 15 Session

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Charlie Walker: Beyond the Map - Adventures Across the World

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Charlie Walker's adventures have taken him to the most remote and challenging places in the world. During this episode he shares stories from his epic 43,000-mile cycle tour, spanning across Europe, Asia, and Africa. But his adventures are not just taken on a bike - he has also trekked across Papua New Guinea, hiked in the Siberian Arctic, paddled down a tributary of the Congo River and recently cycled (or hike a biked!) through the Gola Rainforest in West Africa.

These adventures haven't all been smooth sailing. Indeed, Charlie has faced moments of extreme hardship, including an imprisonment in a Siberian detention centre in 2022 - within weeks of Russia invading Ukraine.

Charlie also reflects on the awe-inspiring moments he's been lucky to have due to his adventures - enjoying times of pure solitude and the feelings of being alone in a vast and empty landscape. We also talk about the changing landscape of travel brought on by technology, and how much things have changed since he first started taking long distance adventures.

You can follow Charlie via his instagram account - @cwexplore and his website - www.cwexplore.com where you can also purchase his books which I highly recommend!!

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Introducing Beyond the Bike Live Shows - and Bike Adventures Taken in Colombia: Laura Harris

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +0100

This week listener Laura Harris is taking us on her bike adventure in Colombia. She shares a day of her trip which actually happened on day no. 2 of her current bike adventure. Laura is currently on a huge journey in South America - end destination of Ushuaia! You can follow Laura's adventure via her instagram channel - @laurainwildplaces

I'm also excited to announce our upcoming Beyond the Bike Live Shows!

Join me, and a lineup of incredible past podcast guests for a special live event in London on May 14 & 15! Each night will feature a panel discussion, film screening of Jude Kriwald's Award Winning Alone Across Gola Film as well as audience Q&A. We will be celebrating the spirit of adventure, bike travel in all its forms and the incredible places you can get to on two wheels. I hope to see you there and meet you in person.

🎟 Tickets are limited and go on sale soon. Sign up to the Seek Travel Ride Newsletter to be notified as soon as they release or keep an eye on our instagram page - @SeekTravelRide

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1984 Cycle Touring Expedition UK to Australia and Back Again: Phill Hargreaves (Part 2)

Sat, 22 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +0100

This episode is part 2 sharing guest Phill Hargreaves story and experiences from his three year Cycle Tour taken in 1984. You can listen to Part 1 here.

This journey saw Phill leave home in the UK destination Australia. He left as a group of three, in Turkey his group became two and then from Nepal he continued the journey solo. This conversation picks up that journey from Nepal as Phill made his way through Asia to Australia.

Some incredible stories were shared for this leg of the journey by Phill including travelling through Myanmar, Island hopping in Indonesia - and then a wild work experience encounter on a fishing trawler when he finally reached Australia.

After saving money Phill then decided to cycle back to the UK. He travelled through Australia and NZ before then heading home via China and Tibet. He'd catch the Trans-Siberian express to Germany and then cycled the rest of the journey. All up returning almost 3 years after setting off.

Phill's son Jamie is currently re-tracing this very journey Phill took and you can listen to the interview I had with him here. Jamie Hargreaves Episode

Be sure to also keep an eye out for his other son Olly who is now about to take his own journey from the UK to Singapore - his instagram is here: @sagas.of_olly.hargreaves

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What's it like to go Cycling in Japan? and an Update From the Road to the Pamirs: Terri and Rebecca

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Ever wanted to go cycling in Japan? Well this week I am sharing a story from Terri Jockerst who tells us about one day of her adventures in this country. Terri has also written a fabulous book about this adventure called Biking to Busan. You can find it and her other books here.

Be sure to follow Terri via instagram - @footloosefreckle and also on her YouTube channel.

I am also sharing an update from the road by our intrepid adventurer Rebecca Gross. She and her partner Javi are currently taking their big bike adventure from Austria to the Pamirs. Every few weeks I will be sharing updates from Rebecca letting you know how the journey is going so far. THi sis her first update since leaving home. You can follow Rebecca on instagram - @rebecca_grb and also her partner Javi via @hacker.bikepacker

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1984 Cycle Touring Expedition to Everest Basecamp and Beyond: Phill Hargreaves (Part 1)

Sat, 15 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Imagine cycling from the UK to Australia - via Everest Basecamp no less - in 1984! Guest Phill Hargreaves shares his incredible cycling journey from the UK to Australia and back during the mid-1980s. Phill's early adventures started when he was about 11 or 12 years old and he joined his local cycle touring club. Each weekend would be filled with short touring trips around the UK and so he quickly discovered a passion for bike travel - one that would take him to the other side of the world as well as being the first to ride a bike all the way from the UK to Everest Base Camp.

This cycle tour began in 1984, when Phil, joined by two friends, left the UK bound for Australia. What followed was a true adventure. From crossing through what was at that time 'the Iron Curtain' of eastern Europe, dealing with bike failures, and then the unexpected events such as one of the trio 'disappearing' while riding out of Istanbul, Turkey, what struck me the most was this was a very different era of travel and a time where true 'adventure' could be had each and every day.

Phill's recounting of his story also touches upon differences in travel experiences over the decades, as ever what shiens through is the impactful hospitality of locals, as well as poignant reflections on the philosophies that guided his adventure. This episode is part one of a two-part series detailing Phill's extraordinary travels.

I have also featured an episode with Phill's son Jamie Hargreaves who is currently tracing the route which Phill took over 40 years ago. You can listen to the episode with Jamie here.

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How Do You Prepare For A Bike Adventure? Katja and Martin - Long Distance Cycle Touring

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Ever wondered what you need to consider when planning out your own bike travel adventures? Well this week I've gone back through the archives and am featuring a section from my episode with Danish bike travellers Katja and Martin, as athey highlight what they did to prepare themselves for their huge journey of Cycling the Americas. You can listen to the full version of the original episode here

You can also follow them via their instagram channel - @katjaogmartin.dk - and also read their blog www.Americasbybike.dk

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Bikepacking Adventures Around the World: Ireland, Africa and Patagonia - Saoirse Pottie

Sat, 08 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Guest Saoirse Pottie first took to bikepacking as a way of enjoying the experiences of travel without the need for spending huge amounts of money. Fair to say she has been hooked ever since and has also helped to generate a community around bike travel - especially championing and encouraging women to go on bikepacking adventures.

We discuss Saoirse's adventures through Ireland which she used as a way to gain the confidence to take on her biggest adventure - a bikepacking journey through Africa from Cape Town to Rwanda.

Since the Africa journey Saoirse has continued to embrace the spirit of travel and community - having recently ridden the Caraterra Austral from Patagonio to Ushuaia as part of a group of 12. I really appreciated her insights into how she first got into this mode of slow travel, why she believes everyone should take on a solo trip, what it was like to cycle through Africa and also the balance and joys which come with taking on journeys solo as well as with others.

You can find Saoirse via her instagram - @going.pottie - and more about her bikepacking weekend in Ireland - it's sold out but you can join the waiting list!

A link to the episode with Helen Dainty is here

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What's it like to cycle through West Africa? Morocco to Ghana. Nikki Ray

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Today I'm featuring guest Nikki Ray talking about her tour through West Africa. This is an excerpt from the full length episode I did with Nikki early on in the Podcast. You can listen to the full episode with Nikki here

You can also follow Nikki's future adventures via her instagram account - @adventurecyclistnikki

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Bikepacking 7000km Through Mexico: Jesus Estrada

Sat, 01 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Jesus Estrada first got the idea for cycling as a way of travel when he saw one of his friend's doing it. He knew this was something he wanted to try for himself and after a few years of getting this idea he put it into action with a bike tour through Mexico - a perfect way to learn more about his own country.

He shares what it was like to travel slowly through the landscape, the incredible connections he made with strangers and also what he learnt about his own country from the coastal routes through to the jungle and ancient archeological pyramids - this was an adventure that really had it all.

You can follow Jesus via his instagram channel and see more about his adventure - @aveintaporhora Want to listen to his mini episode -check it out here

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Getting Ready to Cycle the Pamirs & When Things Go Wrong in India: Rebecca Gross & Ben Clark

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Rebecca Gross is about to leave her home in Austria for a journey that will take her to the Pamirs in Central Asia. She shares her latest update now, less than a week before setting off on that huge adventure. You can follow Rebecca via her instagram @rebecca_grb

I also share a day on the road from Ben Clark who tells us all about a very eventful day during his world bike tour. This day occurred in India involving, Tuk Tuks, crashes, and an unexpected hospital visit.

You can follow Ben's adventures on instagram via @worldbybike_UK

Support hte brands who support the podcast Check out gear from Old Man Mountain and get your bike kitted out for adventure - head to our custom link which lets them know you heard all about them from the podcast - www.oldmanmountain.com/seektravelride

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A Cycling Expedition Across South East Asia: Jessie Brown

Sat, 22 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Guest Jessie Brown shares her incredible journey of going from Dhaka, Bangladesh, with an aim of reaching New Caledonia - an expedition which would take her from the most to the least polluted places on earth.

Despite having no prior bike travel experience, Jessie braved the elements, navigated bustling cities, and overcame numerous challenges, including route changes due to conflicts and unplanned detours. Along the way she also measured air pollution using sensors throughout her trip, adding a unique environmental research aspect to her adventure.

To keep track of Jessie's future adventures follow her via her instagram page - @jessies.expedition

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Riding Solo on the Silk Road: Tara Weir

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 07:00:00 +0100

What's it like to go cycling on the Silk Road? Well for this week's mini episode I am sharing an excerpt from one of my previous episodes with Guest Tara Weir.

Tara is an amazing adventurer from Canada who has travelled the world over on long solo journeys across 6 continents. This excerpt shares her experiences from her first big tour - which saw her cycle along the Silk Road.

Listen to the full episode featuring Tara's Story here: and you can follow her on instagram via her account @followmargopolo

Dates: Jun 28 - Jul 04 2025
Start and Finish: Toulouse, France
5 days riding, 6 nights accommodation
€1550 per person twin share

Find out more here

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Bikepacking North America's Best Routes: Tristan Ridley (Part 2)

Sat, 15 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +0100

This is part 2 of my conversation with guest Tristan Ridley, a long-term bike traveller who has been taking epic adventures since 2015. You can listen to Part 1 with Tristan here - Episode 110.

Tristan shares his insights about his most recent journeys across North America, focusing on the breathtaking landscapes, challenging terrains, and cultural experiences. He discusses his inspiration from renowned bike packer Iohan Gueorguiv, cycling on the isolated yet rewarding Dalton Highway in Alaska, as well as his time spent on the Icefields Parkway in Canada - a road he claims to be one of the best paved roads in the world.

The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route also features before we get into Tristan's latest project - a brand new bikepacking route he is creating in Utah as well as how his bikepacking setup has changed and evolved over the years of riding.

A link to Iohan Gueorguiev's YouTube Channel which we discuss is here

You can follow Tristan via his instagram account - @tristanrid check out his films on YouTube as well as his personal website.

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Cycling Across the Pyrenees & What's it Like to Cycle in Tanzania? Jake Field

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Today I have two stories to share - one of them actually from my own experience of cycling across the Pyrenees. I did this trip in 2023 and cycled from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean Sea. If you want to see what that experience was like check it out now on YouTube where I have uploaded it as a 3 part series. Our YouTube channel is Seek Travel Ride and you can access the playlist here:

The second part of our episode features listener Jake Field sharing what it was like during one day of a bike adventure cycling through Tanzania. You can keep up with Jake's adventure's via his instagram account - @jakefield_99

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10 Years of Bike Travel Adventures : Tristan Ridley (pt. 1) - Life as a Long Term Bikepacker

Sat, 08 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +0100

What's it like to be a long term bike traveller? This is part 1 of a 2 part series with guest Tristan Ridley, who has pedalled over 80,000 kilometres through 71 countries since 2015.

Tristan shares insights from his extensive bike travels, starting from a three-month tour in New Zealand, to creating the Kenya Bike Odyssey. He reflects on his evolving motivations, the challenges of continuous travel, the importance of community, and the profound self-discovery he's experienced on the road.

We also discuss the practicalities of how he has funded his bike adventures - spoiler alert on a shoe string budget! - the impact of bike travel on local communities, the highs and lows of solo adventures, and also how content creation has shaped his journey.

You can follow Tristan's adventures via his instagram account - @tristanrid and also be sure to check out his videos on his YouTube channel. You can also view his website - tristanridley.com

Check out the Kenya Bike Odyssey

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What's it like to Cycle Through Mongolia? Claire Wyatt

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Ever wanted to cycle through Mongolia and wondered what it would be like? Well today's episode features listener and previous guest Claire Wyatt, sharing her experience during her epic adventure which is taking her from Mongolia back to the UK.

This day had it all - river crossings, wild horses, stormy weather, interactions with a local family - but the highlight of the day is overwhelmingly a friendly Mongolian Dog who decided to join Claire for the entirety of the day!

You can listen to previous episodes with Claire here:

Ep.41 - Around Australia part 2

Ep. 86: Touring SE Asia and the UK to Mongolia

Be sure to also follow her via her instagram account - @exploringbybicycle

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Cycling Across the Himalayas in 1986: James Baile

Sat, 01 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Guest James Baile shares stories from his 1986 adventure, which took him from Nepal to Everest Base Camp, navigating rugged terrain on early model mountain bikes. Despite dealing with challenging conditions, carrying the bikes through steep passes, and facing the harsh weather, James recounts the incredible kindness of strangers and the profound life lessons he gained. He discusses the transformation he experienced, his memories of the awe-inspiring landscapes, and the lasting impact of this adventure on shaping his life and future travels.

You can follow James via his instagram account - @Baile_James and also his blog.

For tips for travelling with your bike check here.

Listen to the episode with Marielle - the Biking Viking here

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A Bike Adventure From Austria to the Pamirs: Rebecca Gross

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Imagine planning to take your first big bike adventure, setting off from Austria, destination the Pamirs in Central Asia? Well this is exactly what listener Rebecca Gross is setting off to do with her partner in March, 2025. I'm excited to be able to share this journey with you as part of a little series which will take us as listeners along for the adventure. Today I'm sharing with you how Rebecca first came up with this idea, how she has prepared for the trip and also what she is looking forward to. Over the coming months, we will be hearing from Rebecca with updates from the road, letting us know how it is all going.

Be sure to follow Rebecca via her instagram account - @rebecca_grb

Click here to book your spot to ride with me on my bikepacking tour through the Pyrenees.

Watch Part 1 of our 3 part series from Cycling Across the Pyrenees on YouTube

Help support the show - head over to www.oldmanmountain.com/seektravelride

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Bikepacking Adventure Through South America as a Beginner: Melanie Schautt

Sat, 25 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Melanie Schautt, was a complete novice bikepacker who decided to set out on a seven-month journey through South America. Starting in Patagonia with her friends Luise and Blanka, the first two weeks were extremely challenging. Melanie had to deal with severe weather, tough terrain, and even illness. As the journey progressed, Melanie found her own rhythm, mastering the art of bikepacking as well as taking the time to connect deeply with Indigenous communities along the way.

We discuss the logistics, challenges, and highlights of her route through countries like Argentina, Bolivia, and Ecuador.

You can follow Melanie via her instagram account - @LivingInTents and be sure to check out her upcoming Bikepacking Play Date event being held in Austria at the end of April 2025.

You can listen to previous guest Giacomo Turco's episode here

Interested in learning more about SocialBnB - check them out here

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What's it like to Cycle Through Patagonia? Vaiva and Stephen - One Day of Your Trip

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Ever wanted to go on a bike adventure in Patagonia? It's a must cycle destination for so many people and today I share the experiences from listeners Vaiva and Stephen during one day of their trip cycling in Chile. It's a real example of the weather extremes and challenges faced by many bike travellers during their cycle tour in this part of the world and a test of both physical and mental strength.

You can keep up with their adventures by checking out their instagram page - @Gentle.Spin as well as their YouTube channel.

Big thanks to Old Man Mountain for supporting this episode of Seek Travel Ride. If you’re loving this podcast and want to support the show, visit oldmanmountain.com/seektravelride Not only will you discover great gear for your cycling adventures, but you’ll also help keep Seek Travel Ride going strong.

Find out more about our Seek Travel Ride Lightweight Bikepacking Tour!
Join me for a 6 night - 5 day tour through the Pyrenees Foothills in France.
Dates - June 28 - July 04
Start and Finish: Toulouse
Cost €1550 per person twin share
Find Out more and Book Your Spot Here

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Cycling From the UK to Australia: Jamie Hargreaves on Retracing His Father's Journey 40yrs Later

Sat, 18 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Adventurer Jamie Hargreaves, is eight months into an incredible journey cycling from Derby, England to Derby, Australia. What makes this cycle tour extra special is Jamie is retracing the very route his father took 40 years ago - visiting the same places photographing the same landscapes along the way.

Facing physical challenges, visa issues, and environmental extremes, Jamie's adventure spans multiple countries. He's so far crossed through Europe, Türkiye, Central Asia, Russia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

Jamie shares his experiences so far, the highs and lows of his trip, from challenging days in harsh weather, unexpected camaraderie with fellow travellers, and his motivations for taking this journey on.

You can follow Jamie's adventures play out via his instagram - @j.a.hargreaves and also on his facebook page.

If you want to listen to the episode with Jamie's friend on the road - Malachi Frances you can do so here.

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Best Thing About Taking Bike Adventures & Cycling on the Camino Trail - Annabelle and Alex

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +0100

What's the best thing about taking a bike adventure? I've asked this of many guests now and today I am sharing your responses to this question which I also posed on our instagram account - be sure to follow us there on @SeekTravelRide if you aren't already!

We are also going to be transported to the Camino trail in Spain where listeners I Annabelle and Alex share one day of their trip. It was quite an eventful day indeed - just one day from their round the world journey. Be sure to follow them via their instagram account - @grainonthego

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Racing the TCR and Beyond: Dr. Sarah Ruggins Talks Ultracycling and Mental Toughness

Sat, 11 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Ever wondered what it would be like to race the Transcontinental Race? This episode features guest Dr. Sarah Ruggins - a former elite long-distance runner turned ultra cyclist. Sarah shares her inspiring journey from almost total body paralysis due to a neural disease to competing in one of the world's toughest ultra cycling races, the Transcontinental Race (TCR).

Despite starting her cycling journey just months before her first race, Sarah demonstrated remarkable resilience and perseverance. She recounts her experience in the 2023 and 2024 editions of the TCR, including the challenges of losing her race partner early in the 2024 edition and continuing solo. Sarah also discusses her plans for a Guinness World Record attempt in 2025 and her efforts to raise awareness for diversity and inclusion in ultra cycling. Sarah is a great example of overcoming adversity, pushing boundaries, and continually striving for improvement.

You can follow her via instagram - @_Not_That_Kind_Of_Doctor and check out her World Record fundraiser here - http://lejogle.com/

To see more information about the charities she is fundraising for check out @the_bikeproject and @bikes4Refugees

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Cycling in the High Mountains of Tajikistan: Mathias - One Day of Your Trip

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Ever wanted to go cycling over the high mountains of Tajikistan on the way to the Pamir Highway? Well in today's episode Mathias let's us know all about one day from his trip with his wife Arev, where they were cycling one of the high mountain passes in Tajikistan. See the visuals behind this day via their YouTube video. You can also listen to their previous episode on the podcast here.

Today we also heard from previous guest Jude Kriwald - and you can listen to his episode here.

Click here to find about our Seek Travel Ride Lightweight Bikepacking Tour
6 Nights/5 days
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Hotel stays every night and all meals catered for
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Solo Bikepacking Adventures Through South America: Marta Ballús

Sat, 04 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Guest Marta Ballús is adventurous cyclist currently solo bikepacking across South America. Starting in Southern Chile, Marta has navigated through diverse landscapes from the Andes Mountains to the Galapagos Islands. Inspired by a turning point in her life when she got laid off work, Marta decided to take control of her life by embarking on this journey.

We discuss her transformation from a fearful to a confident traveler, her experiences with unique local cultures, the hospitality she's encountered, and life-changing moments such as learning to paraglide. A major highlight of her journey is crossing the Salar de Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia. Listen as Marta shares insights about facing fears, gaining self-confidence, and embracing the surprises of solo travel.

You can follo Marta's adventures via instagram -@MartasWay and her YouTube Channel

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Kindness on the Road: A Warm Showers Story from France - James Palamarchuk

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Ever wondered what it would be like to be hosted by a Warm Showers host? Well this week listener James Palamarchuk shares his experience of being hosted by a lovely couple during his recent cycle tour through France, Switzerland and Italy.

You can see more of James' bike travel adventures via his YouTube channel - @JimJamm18

To listen to the episodes of the guests I featured today check:

Peter Gostelow - also check his instagram - @PeteGost
Giacomo Turco - also check his instagram - @Cycling.Beyond

Find out more about our Seek Travel Ride Lightweight Bikepacking Tour!
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Cycle Touring Through Africa - The Journey To Cape Town: Rob MacLennan (Part 2)

Sat, 28 Dec 2024 06:00:00 +0100

This is Part 2 of Rob MacLennan's adventure from the UK to Cape Town. You can listen to Part 1 here.

In this episode we pick up where we left off - Rob is about to leave Nigeria and head over the border to Cameroon - by speed boat! Has to be one of the world's craziest border crossings for sure.

From there he continues down the western side of Africa. Gets lost navigating a 'short cut' through the jungle in Congo, connects with locals over the football in Angola and has one of the most physically and mentally intense experiences of his life crossing the Namib desert in Namibia.

On reaching Cape Town, Rob reflected how this adventure was never about that end destination - but everything that happened in between. The stories of human connection the ones leaving the greatest impression on Rob.

We also talk about mindset and post adventure blues with Rob sharing how pushing himself to his limits showed him his inner strength, what he could endure, but also the power of choosing to be positive.

You can follow Rob via his instagram account - @robbo_on_the_road

Other guests mentioned in this episode:

Wiebke Lühmann

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What's it Like to Ride in Ecuador? Marta Ballús - One Day of Your Trip

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Ever wanted to cycle in Ecuador - right up to the top of a volcano?

Well in this episode Marta Ballús shares what it was like on one day of her trip doing exactly that. This ended up being a difficult day for Martha - not only was the riding challenging, but then she had a huge mechanical to deal with as well.

I'm excited to say I will soon be featuring Marta for a full legnth feature episode in the week's to come. In the meantime you can follow her here - @MartasWay

Other guests mentioned in today's episode:

Robert Fletcher
Robert Reynolds

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Cycling From the UK to Cape Town. Journey through West Africa (Part 1): Rob MacLennan

Sat, 21 Dec 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Ever wondered what it would be like to cycle through Africa? Well this is part 1 of a special 2 part episode featuring guest Rob MacLennan who in 2023 cycled from his home in the UK to Cape Town in South Africa. A journey of over 17,000kms and infinitely more experiences.

In Part 1 Rob will share with us how he prepared for such a trip as a complete beginner, what he packed, how he worked out his route and some of the key experiences along the way.

He crossed through Europe via France and Spain, and it was really from Morocco that the real adventure began. From there he cycled down through the Sahara desert - discovering the joy of melon milk! He also learnt how to push his limits, realising he was capable of more than he thought.

He enjoyed exploring through West Africa, observing local life, battling terrible roads in Guinea while also enjoying some of the best coffee there. Then in Nigeria things took a serious turn when at Christmas Rob found himself held at gunpoint by militia who mistook him for a government spy. His recollections from this harrowing event were eye opening - but as Rob said, were in no way the narrative that his journey need be remembered by.

You can follow Rob via his instagram account - @Robbo_On_The_Road and be sure to tune in next week for part 2 to hear the rest of this incredible story.

Listen to the other guests who are mentioned in this episode:

Steph Devery
Paul de Tilly
Giacomo Turco
Jude Kriwald

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What's it like to ride the Baja Divide? Joe Hayden One Day of Your Trip

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Ever wanted to ride the Baja Divide? Well this week, listener Joe Hayden lets us know what it was like during one day of his trip doing exactly that. Joe is still out there riding the Baja Divide - having started his journey in Canada, crossed through the US on the GDMBR and is now in Mexico. A great adventure indeed. Check out Joe's progress via his instagram - @joe__hayden

Now what's the best thing about taking a bike adventure - listen to the answers of previous guests Sheelagh Daly and Helen Dainty as they share their stories. You can also check out their previous episodes on the podcast here:

Sheelagh Daly
Helen Dainty

Let me know what you think the best thing about a bike adventure is - send me an email or message me on instagram - @seektravelride

Lastly - if you want to help out the show be sure to check out our show sponsors Old Man Mountain via our dedicated link - www.oldmanmountain.com/seektravelride it lets them know that you heard about them from the podcast and and helps me out a lot!

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Cycle Touring Adventure From the U.K all the way to Australia: Malachi Frances

Sat, 14 Dec 2024 09:00:00 +0100

What's it like to Cycle from the U.K to Australia? Well in this episode I feature guest Malachi Frances, who is currently midway through his cycle tour doing exactly that. I caught up with Malachi while he was enjoying a rest day in New Delhi, to hear all about how his journey so far has gone.

Malachi is a great testament to the fact you don't need years of experience in front of you to be able to take on a trip like this. Prior to setting off he had ridden his bike in Wales and quickly realised the possibilities available to him from bike travel. He then took to planning this longer journey and then set off.

While he had planned for the majority of the tour to be undertaken solo, Malachi quickly learnt that you make fast friendships travelling in this style, and has enjoyed the company of many other bike travellers along the way.

As a photographer he is also enjoying the visual journey which comes with this style of travel - and is hoping to put together a photo book by the end of his trip.

Follow Malachi via his instagram - @malachi_cycles

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What's it like Cycling Through Iran? Arev - Amazing World Bike Tour

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Ever wondered what it would be like to cycle through Iran? Well previous guest of the show Arev shared some deep insights from one day of their trip.

I definitely recommend checking out their YouTube channel - Amazing World Bike Tour and you can also listen to their episode here.

Episodes from other guests' featured today are:

Spencer McCullough
Katrina Hase
Laura Willerton

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Alastair Humphreys: The Adventure Mindset. Exploring the Highs and Lows of an Adventurous Life

Sat, 07 Dec 2024 08:00:00 +0100

Accomplished Writer and Adventurer Alastair Humphreys shares his insights and experiences from over two decades of exploration. From his four-year journey cycling around the world, to busking his way across Spain, to championing the concept of microadventures, Alastair has inspired countless people to embark on their own adventures.

In this episode, Alastair talks candidly about the emotional highs and lows of adventuring, the challenges of returning to normal life, and the importance of mental health specifically when dealing with post-adventure blues. While his impressive Grand Adventure CV speaks for itself, Alastair has also shown the value of taking local adventures. He believes the thrill of grand journeys can be found in smaller experiences, such as ‘spending a night sleeping on a local hill.’

We reflect on how seeking beauty and excitement close to home can fill the void left by big adventures, while also sparking a deeper commitment to advocating for our local environments. As Alastair shares, ‘Think global, act local.’

Find out more about Alastair via his website, check out his books and follow him on instagram - @al_humphreys

During this episode I mentioned the following guests and you can check out their episodes here:

Claire Wyatt
Peter Gostelow
David McCourt

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Cycling over the Alps from Austria into Italy - Timmelsjoch Pass: Malachi Frances.

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Ever wondered what it would be like to cycle over an Alpine pass? Well this week's mini episode features guest Malachi Frances who shares his experience of doing exactly that, cycling from Austria into Italy via the Timmelsjoch mountain pass. Keep your eyes peeled for a full length feature episode with Malachi to come sharing his insights from the incredible journey he is currently on - from the UK to Australia! You can follow his adventures via his instagram @malachi_cycles

What's the best thing about taking a bike adventure? Email me with your answer

Check out of these episodes from our previous guests featured today:

Claire Wyatt
Arev and Mathias - check out their YouTube channel - Amazing World Bike Tour
Barbara and Jordi - aka 2LocosonWheels

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An Epic Cycle Tour From Germany to Australia: Madeline Hoffmann. 100 Episode Milestone

Sat, 30 Nov 2024 10:00:00 +0100

Celebrate our 100th episode with guest Madeline Hoffmann, as she shares her incredible cycle tour from Germany to Australia.

I first featured Madeline for episode no. 1 of the podcast, in January 2023, when she had just arrived in Türkiye, having cycled there from Germany to meet her father for the very first time. In this episode I pick up where we left off, and hear Madeline's experiences after leaving her father's home, and cycling all the way back to Sydney, Australia.

All up Madeline's journey took her through 23 countries over 15 months and we reflect on the adventures, challenges, and transformative experiences she encountered all along the way. This journey wasn't all smooth sailing, she faced numerous challenges and setbacks. When her visa for Iran was denied she instead chose to cycle home via the Middle East, which entailed cycling through the heat and desert of Saudi Arabia.

On leaving the Gulf region she then continued in Pakistan and India, and it was while cycling in the high Himalayas that she was struck with a painful illness. She'd contracted Chikungunya - a mosquito borne virus, which sparked reactive arthritis throughout her body. But despite this Madeline continued her journey through S.E Asia, before finally finishing off the final leg of her journey from Brisbane to Sydney.

You can listen to my first episode with Madeline here.

Be sure to follow Madeline via her instagram account - @iammadelinehoffmann

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Cycle touring through Bosnia: Madeline Hoffmann - 1 day of your trip

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 04:00:00 +0100

Ever wanted to go cycling through Bosnia? Well listen to Madeline Hoffmann share one day of her journey through this country. This was just one day from a cycle tour that saw Madeline ride all the way from Germany to Australia.

The incredible experiences from this particular day in Bosnia are exactly the stories that only those taking bike adventures can share.

Want to hear more of Madeline's story - then check out episode 01 with Madeline.

You can also follow her via instagram - @iammadelinehoffmann

Keep your eyes peeled with another full length episode to come which will fill in the gaps from that adventure - bringing her all the way from Türkiye to Australia!

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Cycling from Australia to N.Ireland - the Long Way Home: David McCourt

Sat, 23 Nov 2024 09:00:00 +0100

In 2022, guest David McCourt originally from Northern Ireland, embarked on a two-and-a-half-year journey,cycling from Melbourne, Australia, to his home village of Cushendall.

David is a natural storyteller and shares his riveting experiences from traversing unique and challenging landscapes across Australia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, and Europe. From the vast outback of Australia to the bustling streets of India and the mountainous Himalayas, he faced various challenges including dealing with injuries, inclement weather, and border crossings.

Despite these hurdles, David found remarkable connections with people in villages and towns less traveled.

Be sure to follow David via his instagram - @longwayhome_2022
You can also contribute to his fundraiser for the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. - here

Live in or near Melbourne? Get tickets to David’s live presentation and Q&A session on Weds 04 Dec 2024 here.

Listen to David share one day of his trip from Malaysia here.

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Cycling Through Namibia: Rob MacLennan - One Day Of Your Trip

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 05:00:00 +0100

Find out what it's like to cycle through the hot expansive desert in Namibia with guest Rob MacLennan who shares what it was like during one day of his trip. This adventure was just one day from a journey that would take Rob from London to Capetown via West Africa. Keep your eyes peeled in the weeks to come for a full length feature episode with Rob and in the meantime be sure to give him a follow on instagram - @robbo_on_the_road

Remember to follow us on instagram - @SeekTravelRide - and keep an eye out for our 100th episode competition launching in the next few days! Good Luck!

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Cycle Touring Adventures Around the World: Marielle Jauring

Sat, 16 Nov 2024 02:00:00 +0100

Guest Marielle Jauring shares her extensive cycle touring experiences having travelled over 90,000kms on her bike tours across various continents.

Marielle recounts her initial motivation for bike touring, starting with a trip across America, and her subsequent journeys in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Europe, and Asia. She discusses the challenges of navigating through different countries, including a dramatic encounter with Russian border police and the unexpected kindness of strangers.

I especially loved hearing about Marielle’s unique adventures, such as petting a drunk bear in Canada, witnessing the Northern Lights, and exploring Turkey’s coloured mountains.

Follow Marielle's adventures on her instagram account - @_the_biking_viking_

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Cycling in Malaysia: David McCourt - Cycle Shorts

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 04:00:00 +0100

Get taken on a cycle tour through Malaysia with guest David McCourt who shares what it as like during one day of his journey. This day was part of a 2.5 year journey which David took from his home in Melbourne, Australia all the way back to the village he grew up at in Cushendall, N. Ireland.

Follow David on Instagram - @LongWayHome__2022 you can also support his fundraiser here.

Live in or near Melbourne? Get tickets to David’s live presentation and Q&A session on Weds 04 Dec 2024 here.

Want to be featured as a guest of the show? Send me an email and tell me all about your journey.

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Bikepacking Iceland, Mongolia & South America: Giacomo Turco

Sat, 09 Nov 2024 10:00:00 +0100

What's it like to go bikepacking in isolated places like Iceland, Mongolia and South America?

Adventurer Giacomo Turco, a space engineer from Italy has been doing exactly this since 2021. From his first journey in Iceland, to stepping up and heading to Mongolia to his current epic bikepacking journey in south America, Giacomo shares what it's been like out there on the trail.

Now nine months into his two-year adventure, he also recounts the mental and physical challenges of bikepacking solo. Giacomo talks about the essence of adventure, the invaluable help he has recieved from strangers, his love for the outdoors, and why taking the road less travelled is so appealing to him.

Follow Giacomo's adventures via his instagram account - @Cycling.Beyond and YouTube Channel - @Cycling.Beyond

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Cycling to Cappadocia: Marielle Jauring - Cycle Shorts

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 02:00:00 +0100

What's it like to go on a day cycling to Cappadocia?

Have you ever wanted to cycle there? Well today's episode features Marielle Jauring who did exactly that. Unfortunately for Marielle being struck by a stomach illness meant this was one of her hardest days on the bike ever! Follow Marielle's future adventures via her instagram account.

Do you want to be featured for your own mini episode on Seek Travel Ride? Then send me an email and tell me all about one day of your trip.

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What’s it Like to Go Bikepacking in the Middle East and Africa? Peter Gostelow

Sat, 02 Nov 2024 10:00:00 +0100

In this episode I reconnect with Peter Gostelow, an experienced bike tourer, to discuss his latest seven-month adventure through Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, and Tanzania.

This trip really took Peter down the road less travelled, through regions well off the tourist trail. He shares his experiences of riding insanely steep gradients in on the Jordan Bike Trail, exploring the mountainous region in the west of Saudi, camping in an elephant corridor in Northern Kenya as well as the familiarity of returning back to Tanzania a place that Peter called home many years ago.

I also explore Peter's evolving approach to travel, focusing on off-the-beaten-path adventures and the practicalities of long-term bike touring.

If you missed our first episode with Peter You can listen to it here

Follow Peter via his instagram - @petegost, Facebook and also his website petegostelow.com

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Bikepacking in Mexico: Chucho Estrada - Cycle Shorts

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 02:00:00 +0100

Ever wanted to go bikepacking in Mexico? Adventurer Chucho Estrada did exactly that on a trip of more than 200 days. In this mini episode he shares what it was like during one day of that trip for this week's episode in our Cycle Shorts series.

You Can follow Chucho via his instagram account -@aveinteporhora and keep your eyes peeled for a full length feature episode to come.

Have you taken a bike adventure and what to share your story on the podcast? Then get in touch - send me an email and let me know all about it.

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Cycling the World - A 29,000km Journey: McKenzie Barney

Sat, 26 Oct 2024 10:00:00 +0200

Ever wondered what it’s like to cycle 29,000 km around the world? In this episode, I chat with McKenzie Barney, who embarked on a journey spanning five continents and 28 countries. She shares the highs and lows of her epic adventure, reflecting on the unique experiences and challenges she faced along the way. Tune in for a glimpse into what it's really like to take on a global cycling expedition.

This is the second interview I've had with McKenzie and you can catch up on her previous episode here.

Be sure to also check out her Cycling the World film and follow McKenzie on instagram to keep up to date with her upcoming book release.

If you are interested in her partner's Jame's experience of cycling the length of Africa, you can also check out his book - The Road South.

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Bikepacking Peru in a Snowstorm: Giacomo Turco - Cycle Shorts

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 02:00:00 +0200

Can you imagine bikepacking close to 5000m in elevation in the high mountains of Peru, when you get stuck in a snowstorm?!

This latest episode in our Cycle Shorts series features listener Giacomo Turco and a day of his bike adventure where he found himself in this exact situation.

Stay tuned for a full length feature interview with Giacomo in the coming weeks and in the meantime you can follow him on instagram - @Cycling.Beyond I also encourage you to check out his YouTube channel too.

Want to be featured for Cycle Shorts? Then get in touch - either send a DM on Instagram or send me an email

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Cycle Touring Adventures Across Continents: Laura McMillan

Sat, 19 Oct 2024 10:00:00 +0200

What's it like to bike tour across continents and through some of the most remote and rugged landscapes in the world?

In this episode, guest Laura McMillan shares her experiences of doing exactly that. What is clear is Laura loves exploring the road less travelled. From taking on the Baja Divide, to the sparse landscapes of the Australian Outback, the challenging climbs of the Jordan Bike Trail, to navigating some of the most remote trails in Africa, Laura loves exploring the road less travelled.

Tune in for some inspiration to put towards your own adventures.

Keep up with her touring adventures via her instagram - @LauraBikesAndSnacks

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Bikepacking through Canada: Kai Vijverberg - Cycle Shorts

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 01:00:00 +0200

What are the moments that you remember the most on your own bikepacking adventures?

In this episode, Dutch Bikepacker Kai Vijverberg shares one day from his huge journey. Kai is currently on a bike adventure which will take him from Alaska to Argentina. This day takes place in Canada and its the chance interaction with the stranger that Kai meets in a small town here, which leaves the strongest impression on him.

You can follow Kai's journey via his instagram channel - @Kaaiv

Want to be featured as a guest on Seek Travel Ride? Then send me an email and tell me all about one day of your trip.

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Bikepacking 29,000kms Across All the U.S National Parks: Spencer McCullough

Sat, 12 Oct 2024 10:00:00 +0200

Imagine bike touring 29,000kms across the U.S to visit all the national parks in the lower 48 States.

This is exactly what Spencer McCullough did when he left on this adventure in 2023. You'll hear about his experiences from this incredible journey, and hear insights into what it is like to experience the National Parks on a bike tour.

Be sure to check out Spencer via his instagram - @Spencexyz and also his new resource gobikecamping.com

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Cycling in West Africa: Jude Kriwald - Cycle Shorts

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 02:00:00 +0200

What would it be like to go bike touring deep in the Liberian Jungle?

Listen to adventurer Jude Kriwald as he takes us on 'one day of his trip', where he traversed his way through the dense jungle of Liberia.

Listen to my previous episodes featuring Jude - England to India, and Three Months in West Africa

You can also watch Jude's experience of this in his film documentary - Alone Across Gola. For those of you in the UK be sure to check out the live screenings and Q&A sessions as well in London and Bristol.

You can follow Jude via his instagram - @judekriwald

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What's it Like to Bike Tour in India? Jess Thomas

Sat, 05 Oct 2024 10:00:00 +0200

Jess Thomas is an Australian adventurer whose first bike tour was from Athens to Barcelona. She hasn't looked back since, and has now shaped her lifestyle into one which maximises her bike travelling opportunities. I spoke to her not long after she'd traversed across the Pamir highway, and made her way to Vienna in Europe.

Her adventures have taken her around the world, and when she isn't on a bike adventure, she's working, guiding people on their own travel adventures.

Bike touring in India has been especially energising for Jess - so much so she now organises custom tours to introduce people to this little known area.

Follow Jess on instagram - @Jess_RevolveYourself and you can also check out her tours in India here:

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Bikepacking in Saudi Arabia: Peter Gostelow - Cycle Shorts

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 02:00:00 +0200

What's it like to go cycle touring in Saudi Arabia?

Listen to guest Peter Gostelow share one day of his bike adventure where he did exactly that.

If you'd like to listen to the previous episode where I featured Peter's long list of bike tours in full, you can check it out here and keep your eyes peeled for another episode in the coming weeks.

Be sure to follow Peter via his instagram - @petegost

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Bikepacking Across Four Continents: Samer Abouhamed

Sat, 28 Sep 2024 10:00:00 +0200

What's it like to be a long term bike traveller, crossing countries and continents on huge adventures? Well this episode features Guest Samer Abouhamed sharing his experiences of doing exactly that.

Samer fell in love with cycling thanks to a nudge from his dad to get into riding bikes during the pandemic. Since then he has crossed from North to South America as well as from Norway to Capetown. Two huge journeys, and within those trips are so many amazing experiences.

Listening to Samer I can tell there are definitely more adventures to come so be sure to follow him on his instagram channel - @Lion.Samer and also via his Strava.

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Bikepacking to Cotopaxi, Ecuador: McKenzie Barney - Cycle Shorts

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 02:00:00 +0200

Ever wanted to cycle to Ecuador and see Cotopaxi? Well this week's episode features guest McKenzie Barney share what it was like during one day of her Cycle the World bike adventure, where she did just that.

If you'd like to tune in to the previous episode where I featured McKenzie's adventure in full you can check it out here

Click here to watch her feature documentary on Cycling the World and lastly follow her future adventures via her instagram - @McKenzieBarney

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Solo Bike Touring Across Africa - Meryem Belkihel

Sat, 21 Sep 2024 10:00:00 +0200

Want to know what it's like to take yourself on a solo bike tour through Africa? Well listen to guest Meryem Belkihel - also known as @meghylost, who is doing exactly that.

Meryem left from her home in Morocco for a journey to discover Mama Africa. Her adventure took her all the way down West Africa, to the very southern tip in Capetown. From there she is now headed north, with a goal of finishing up her journey at the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

You can follow Meryem's journey via her instagram - @meghyem0ut and also on her blog meghylost.com as well as her YouTube Channel - @Meghylost

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Bikepacking to a Scottish Bothy: Chris Ramaglia - Cycle Shorts

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 02:00:00 +0200

What's it like to go on a bike adventure and stay overnight in a Bothy in Scotland? Take a listen to Chris Ramaglia share what it was like for one day on his trip doing exactly that.

To follow Chris you can check out his Instagram Channel - @APilgrimsProgress

Want to be featured and share one day of your trip in our mid-week mini episodes? Than send me an email and let me know all about your adventure.

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Bikepacking Alaska to Ushuaia: James Benson-King

Sat, 14 Sep 2024 10:00:00 +0200

Ever wanted to take a bike tour from Alaska to Argentina? Well this episode features guest James Benson-King who did just that. This journey took a year and a half to complete and connected the very northern tip of North America with the very Southern Tip of South America. But it was the adventures contained within those start and finish points that bring out the true fun of bike touring.

From encountering a snowstorm early on in the trip in Alaska, to pedalling for 900kms using just one leg due to a bike mechanical, to dreamy wild camps with volcano views in Guatamala, James shares his experiences of taking on this amazing adventure.

You can follow James via his instagram page - @bikingvikingrides and via his website and YouTube channel.

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Cycle Shorts: 1 Day of Your Trip: Laura McMillan - Lesotho

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 02:00:00 +0200

Get transported to a day riding on the mountainous roads in Lesotho as listener Laura McMillan shares what it was like during one day of her trip!

You can follow Laura's journey on instagram - @LauraBikesAndSnacks and keep your eye peeled for a full length feature episode with Laura in the weeks to come.

If you'd like to get featured for your own episode in our mid-week mini episodes send me an email and tell me all about one day of your own bike adventure.

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Bike Touring Across Europe: Sheelagh Daly

Sat, 07 Sep 2024 10:00:00 +0200

In this episode I feature guest Sheelagh Daly who's first experience of bike travel was a trip from Scotland all the way to Croatia. Sheelagh found that through bike travel she discovered what she was capable of. Taking solo journeys taught her so much about herself and she speaks candidly about how she manages her anxiety over longer journeys as well.

Since that first adventure Sheelagh came back to Canada, worked in the bike travel industry and has continued to travel far and wide by bicycle.

You can follow Sheelagh via her instagram - @sheelagh.daly as well as her YouTube Channel

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Cycle Shorts: 1 Day of Your Trip: Laura Killingbeck- USA

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 02:00:00 +0200

Join guest Laura Killingbeck share one day of her trip, cycling through the vast desert landscapes in the U.S as she ponders - 'where do you get courage to take solo bike journeys?'

You can follow Laura via her instagram page - @LauraKillingbeck

Listen to our previous full feature episode with Laura here

Want your bike adventure to be featured for a mid-week mini episode? Then send me an email and let me know about one day of your trip.

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Bike Touring the Pacific Coast and Patagonia: Laura Buchan

Sat, 31 Aug 2024 10:00:00 +0200

Want to bike down the Pacific Coast or through Patagonia? Then listen to guest Laura Buchan share her experiences of doing just that.

Laura's first experience of bike touring was taken in Taiwan - on an unlikely trip on a folding bike. She was hooked and since then she has toured extensively on solo trips from Vancouver to the Mexican border, as well as the rugged terrains of Chile and Argentina.

Laura faced numerous challenges during these journey's - her bike tour down the Pacific Coast was meant to be undertaken as a team of two, but just a month before setting off her friend had to pull out, leaving solo to take it on solo.

Then grim weather during her tour of Patagonia made for a challenging time, but Laura's resilience and the kindness of strangers shone through her narratives.Laura also shares some awe-inspiring moments in Torres del Paine National Park, and her overall reflections on human connection, confidence-building, and overcoming adversity

Follow Laura on Instagram - @Laura_Is_On_Earth or via her website - Lauraisonearth.com

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Cycle Shorts: 1 Day of Your Trip: May Tettero - Baja Divide

Tue, 27 Aug 2024 02:00:00 +0200

What's it like to take a bike adventure on the Baja Divide? This week's mid-week episode features listener May Tettero sharing one day of doing just that with her son Sky.

Do you want to share what it was like for one day on your own bike adventure? To be featured in this mid-week series of Cycle Shorts simply send me an email and let me know all about one day of your trip.

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Cycling From Mongolia to the UK: Claire Wyatt

Sat, 24 Aug 2024 10:00:00 +0200

In this episode I reconnect with adventurer Claire Wyatt, ahead of her ambitious journey from Mongolia all the way home to the UK. She reflects on her past expeditions across Australia as well as spending 8 months cycling across Southeast Asia. Claire shares insights on overcoming fears associated with solo travel. She emphasises the unexpected kindness experienced on the road and debunks common misconceptions about solo female travel, Claire discusses her new mission, Biking Against Bombs, aimed at raising funds for the Mine Advisory Group.

Donate to Claire's fundraiser here:
Follow Claire on instagram: - @ExploringByBicycle

Listen to Claire's previous episodes: Episode 14 and Episode 41

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Cycle Shorts: 1 Day of Your Trip: Helen Dainty Palestine

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 02:00:00 +0200

This week Helen Dainty - transports us to what it was like for one day of her trip, taking us to her last day touring in Palestine.

If you'd like to listen to my full feature episode with Helen you can find it here:

To watch the story Helen shared for us in video format check it out via her YouTube Channel

Follow her on instagram - @HelsOnWheels

Get in touch for your chance to be featured in our Cycle Shorts series - simply send me an email or send me a DM on Instagram - @SeekTravelRide

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Solo Bikepacking from Germany to Turkey: Rieke Schmees

Sat, 17 Aug 2024 10:00:00 +0200

Ever thought of taking a bikepacking journey to test and challenge yourself?

Well in 2022 Rieke Schmees set out to do exactly that, as she embarked on an extraordinary solo bicycle trip in 2022, covering 12,000kms through 16 countries from Germany to Morocco and Turkey. Rieke opens up about her initial fears, meticulous preparations, and the profound insights she gained along the way. She recounts facing challenging terrains and cultural differences, while also experiencing remarkable kindness and hospitality from strangers.

You can listen to Rieke's mini- cycle shorts episode here:

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Cycle Shorts: 1 Day of Your Trip: Jess Thomas - Romania

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 02:00:00 +0200

Ever dreamt of what it would be like to cycle across the Transfǎgǎrǎșan Pass in Romania on a bike adventure? Well listen to Jess Thomas share her experience of doing just that as she recalls what it was like for one day of her trip.

Want to be featured for your own episode of Cycle Shorts? Get in touch and send me a direct message on instagram - @SeekTravelRide - and I will let you know how to get involved.

Follow Jess and her adventures on Instagram via - @jess_revolveyourself

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Bikepacking Across Namibia. Stephen Drew

Sat, 10 Aug 2024 10:00:00 +0200

Stephen Drew shares his experiences gained from a bikepacking tour through Namibia's vast landscapes.

Stephen called this his Ride of Independance and his journey to taking on such a challenging route is full of overcoming adversity. Stephen's is an an experienced Mountain Biker, and regularly participated in the racing scene at events such as the Trans Alps. His first experiences of touring were actually taken on a motorbike and it was during one of these trips that a freak accident resulted in an above the knee amputation of his leg. Prior to the accident he was

The motorcycle accident was a truly life changing event, but listening to Stephen recall how he made his way through the rehabilitation and recovery process, I could tell that he was focused on getting the most out of his life. From learning how to adjust to life with one leg, to using a prosthetic limb to cycle - which is very rare for an above the knee amputee, to taking on a multi day bikepacking trip through some of the harshest landscapes in Namibia. I'm certain listening to Stephen's story will give you a huge sense of wanderlust, and challenge your own perspectives on what is possible.

You can follow Stephen's future adventures via his instagram - @StephenFDrew

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Cycle Shorts: 1 Day of Your Trip: James Benson-King- Argentina

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 02:00:00 +0200

Have you ever had a day battling hard against a strong headwind? Then listen to guest James Benson-King share one day of his trip from Alaska to Ushuaia - and a particularly windy day in Argentina.

Be sure to give James a follow on his instagram channel - @bikingvikingrides as well as YouTube

Want to share your story and be featured on Seek Travel Ride? Get in touch - send me a message on Instagram - @SeekTravelRide

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Bicycle Touring from Athens to Asia. Laura Willerton

Sat, 03 Aug 2024 10:00:00 +0200

Imagine setting off for a bicycle tour from Europe, destination the other side of the world. Well in this episode I speak with guest Laura Willerton who has done exactly that. Her journey started as a team of two, with her then boyfriend Bruno. They parted company part way through the trip, but Laura has chosen to continue on this journey solo.

Laura shares her experiences of cycling through various countries, the challenges she faced, and the incredible hospitality she encountered along the way. From the initial anxiety of tackling Central Asia's daunting terrains to the heartwarming kindness of strangers offering melons, meals and a place to stay for the night. This hospitality has been a constant on this tour.

Laura's journey also highlights the importance of mental strength in cycling. She discusses how she has learned to find peace with her own thoughts during long, solitary rides and how these moments have helped her grow as an individual. Her story is a great reminder that many times the journey is as much about self-discovery as it is about the physical act of cycling.

You can follow Laura on her instagram account - @OnOurBicycles and check out the informative website: https://onourbicycles.com/

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Cycling in Colombia: Stephen Counsell - 1 day of your trip

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 02:00:00 +0200

What's the most eventful start to a bicycle tour you could imagine? Well chances are our guest for today's episode of Cycle Shorts - Stephen Counsell - has an experience that will rival most! He shares what it was like for one day of his trip which occurred in Colombia and that very first day of riding turned out to be quite eventful!

Want to share your story and be featured on Seek Travel Ride? Get in touch - send me a message on Instagram - @SeekTravelRide

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Bikepacking from Norway to Spain: Russell Nankervis

Sat, 27 Jul 2024 10:00:00 +0200

In this episode Russell Nankervis shares his experience of bikepacking from the North Cape in Norway, to Tarifa in Spain. A complete north to south crossing of Europe.

Russell's first journey was taken when he finished up school in Australia and headed to Laos for a self guided cycle tour. It was an experience that took him straight out of his comfort zone, a time before cycling a predetermined gpx route - he had nothing but a paper map for navigation.

Since then he kept cycling - although his adventures were focused on mountain biking. He spent three years racing on the World Cup circuit in Europe, before eventually representing Australia at the MTB World Cup in Cairns in 2017.

Nine years on from that cycle tour in Laos he'd find himself at the very northern tip of Europe at the North Cape, destination Tarifa, Europe's most southern tip in Spain. It was great to hear how the experiences Russell gained from that first trip set him up to plan out this bigger journey.

Russell wrote about this experience in his book Crossing Continents: A Cycling Odyssey from Norway to Spain. You can also follow his future adventures via his instagram - @russ_nankervis

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What’s it like to participate in Ride to the Sun: Mackenzie Barker

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 02:00:00 +0200

How far could you ride your bike in just one day? Well in this episode listener Mackenzie Barker recalls his experience of a huge ride he completed which also included taking in the 2024 edition of Ride to the Sun. This is an annual event held on the Summer Solstice in Scotland. But Mackenzie extended the riding distance by also riding to the event from his home. A total distance of 343kms. He shares what it was like on this day.

Now be sure to give Mackenzie a follow to keep up with his future adventures - you can find him on instagram @rekrab82 and if you happen to be in Edinburgh be sure to check out @BikeTraxEdinburgh as well.

Want to be featured for an episode of Cycle Shorts - send me a DM on instagram - @SeekTravelRide

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Wiebke Lühmann: Cycling South - The Journey Through West Africa

Sat, 20 Jul 2024 10:00:00 +0200

In this episode I once again catch up with guest Wiebke Lühmann, to get an update on her Cycling South adventure, finding out what it has been like to cycle through West Africa. If you want to catch up on that first episode with Wiebke you can find it here

Wiebke is currently on a bicycle adventure from Germany to South Africa and I first caught up with her a few months ago while she was in Guinea. Since then she has made her way across West Africa and has now reached Central Africa. I spoke with her while she was in Benin, getting ready to cross the border into Nigeria.

Wiebke provides us with an update on her adventure through West Africa, with insights from her experiences of travelling through this region including navigating through the rainforest over ten days in Liberia.

Be sure to follow Wiebke on her social media channels linked below to keep track of her progress on this huge adventure.
Instagram - @Wiebkelueh, Strava , Blog

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Cycling the Arizona Trail: Carolyn Mason - Cycle Shorts

Tue, 16 Jul 2024 02:00:00 +0200

Have you ever been so exhausted during a bike tour that the thought of going just one mile further seems impossible?

Well in this episode of Cycle Shorts I feature the story of Carolyn Mason who shares what it was like during one day of her trip, traversing a section of the Grand Canyon on the Arizona Trail.

Carolyn is currently on an open ended bikepacking tour with her partner Jacob in Central Asia. I'm excited to say I will be interviewing both of them for a future episode of the show.

Want to be featured on Cycle Shorts? Send me a Direct Message on Instagram - @SeekTravelRide and find out more about how you can be featured.

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Cycling About. 12 Years of Full Time Bike Touring. Alee Denham

Sat, 13 Jul 2024 10:00:00 +0200

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a full time bicycle nomad? In this episode guest Alee Denham shares his experiences and insights of doing just that, having spent years cycling all around the world.

Alee speaks candidly about where he first got the idea travel by bicycle and his first short tour on the island of Borneo. Despite the challenging conditions he was hooked and before he knew it he was setting off on a 2.5 year tandem journey from Europe to Australia. But that huge trip was just the start to what has become Alee's lifestyle as a self proclaimed bicycle nomad as his journeys have taken him all around the world, across 6 continents, visiting over 100 countries.

Alee's adventures will often lead him down the most rugged of routes, spending months in any one country at a time, in order to fully appreciate its terrain, people, culture, and wildlife.

Alee is also the face behind Cycling About - one of the premier online resources when it comes to everything bicycle touring and bikepacking. From gear reviews, to adventure stories and insightful videos, chances are if you have a question about bicycle travel, Cycling About will contain the answer.

Currently Alee is part way through what he predicts to be a 5 year journey, touring extensively across Africa with his partner Laura. You can follow his adventures online via:
Instagram - @CyclingAbout
Facebook - @CyclingAbout
YouTube - @CyclingAbout
Website - https://www.cyclingabout.com

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Cycle Shorts: 1 Day of Your Trip: Lili and Aire - India

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 02:00:00 +0200

Ever noticed some of the most magical moments you can have on a bike adventure are the ones which are totally unplanned?

Well in this episode of Cycle Shorts I feature the story of Lili and Aire, who share their experiences from one day of their trip. They are currently on a bicycle tour which will take them all the way from India to Italy on a project they have called "Goodbye by Bicycle".

You can follow their current adventure via their instagram account - @goodbyebybicycle

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Bike Touring 163,000kms through 108 Countries. Jacob Ashton

Sat, 06 Jul 2024 10:00:00 +0200

Imagine cycling through 108 countries, spanning six continents and covering 163,000 kilometres. In this episode guest Jacob Ashton shares his experiences from doing just that.

Jacob’s story begins with a simple desire to travel. Initially considering sailing, he soon realised that cycling was a more affordable and fulfilling way to see the world.

Jacob's first major bike tour was a four-year journey from 2016 to 2020, covering 100 countries and 124,000 kilometres across six continents. He has since continued to explore the world on two wheels, and is currently on an open ended cycle tour with his partner.

I delved deeper into what it’s like to live this lifestyle, the challenges faced, and the motivations behind such an epic adventure. What's it like to be immersed in new cultures and landscapes for so long? How does one handle the mental and physical toll of perpetual travel? Tune in to listen to Jacob share his experiences of such expansive cycle travel.

You can follow Jacob on instagram - @occasional_bikepacker
Read his account of his 2016 - 2020 world tour
Buy his book - Until the Road Ends

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Cycle Shorts: 1 Day of your Trip - James Whateley - TransAm Bike Trail

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 02:00:00 +0200

Have you ever had a life changing moment occur during a long distance bike adventure?

Well in this episode of Cycle Shorts we feature listener James Whateley, who shares an experience from one day of his trip as he was cycling along the Trans America Bike Trail. A day which undoubtedly changed the trajectory of his life.

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Solo Bike Touring Spain to China: Sara Qiu

Sat, 29 Jun 2024 10:00:00 +0200

Have you ever wondered what it takes to cycle from Spain to China? This episode features guest, Sara Qiu, who embarked on this incredible journey in April 2022. Sara shares her experiences, challenges, and the motivations behind her epic adventure which took her from her home in Spain, to connect with her family's roots in China.

From the rigorous climbs and unexpected hospitality in remote villages to the bureaucratic hurdles and introspective moments, Sara's journey is filled with rich experiences and profound insights of what it's like to take a solo bike tour across two continents.

Follow Sara on Instagram - @JourneyFromTheRoad, on Facebook, her website - and via her Patreon

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Cycle Shorts: 1 Day of Your Trip: Rieke Schmees - Morocco

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 02:00:00 +0200

What would it be like to experience the hospitality of a local family during a bike adventure through Morocco?

Well in today's mid-week episode of Cycle Shorts, we hear listener Rieke Schmees share her experience of doing just that. This day occurred during a journey which would take Rieke from Germany to Morocco, onwards to Italy and eventually finish up in Turkey. Over 12,000kms and no doubt countless experiences and memories made along the way. But it was what occurred during one evening while being hosted by a Moroccan family, that was the most impactful for Rieke.

You can find out more about Rieke's adventures via her instagram account - @riekeschm

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Bikepacking 45,000kms through 24 Countries: Tara Weir

Sat, 22 Jun 2024 10:00:00 +0200

This episode features guest Tara Weir, a seasoned adventurer who has cycled over 45,000 kilometres through 24 countries. Tara shares her experiences of navigating some of the world's most isolated landscapes, from the Australian outback to the old Silk Road, to the Western Wildlands route in North America as well as Kenya's Bike Odyssey.

From her first organised tour through Tibet and Nepal, to her solo journeys across continents, Tara has been adventuring since 2011. She talks about the challenges of cycling through remote areas, the kindness of strangers, and the pull of discovering it all through bikepacking.

We also dive into the emotional aspects of long-distance cycling, including the feelings of loneliness and the post-adventure blues. Tara offers valuable insights on how to deal with these emotions and the importance of having a community to come back to.

Be sure to give Tara a follow on her instagram account - @followmargopolo and her website - Follow Margo Polo

I also recommend her articles linked below:
The Call of the West
Inner Odyssey Kenya

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What’s it like to cycle in Nepal? James Baile

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 02:00:00 +0200

What would it be like to take a bike tour through the mountainous regions of Nepal?

Well in today's mid-week episode of Cycle Shorts, we hear listener James Baile share his experience of doing just that. James undertook this journey in 1986 and the memories of what occurred on this day have stayed with him ever since.

You can find out more about James via his instagram account - @baile_james and learn about his current adventures from his website - https://vintagevan.life/

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Bikepacking from Finland to Singapore: Vallu Heinilä

Sat, 15 Jun 2024 10:00:00 +0200

Imagine cycling from Finland to Singapore? A 15,000km journey through 21 countries. In this episode I speak with Vallu Heinilä who set off on this adventure with his good friend Alvari in 2022.

Despite facing numerous challenges, including sickness and closed border crossings, Vallu encountered countless acts of kindness from strangers, shattering any previous misconceptions about travelling through so-called dangerous countries.

Vallu shares the transformative experiences he had during the trip, from the high mountains of Tajikistan to the crowded cities of India, and the physical challenge of traversing the Annapurna trail. Vallu's journey didn't stop in Singapore; he has since paddle-boarded 320 kilometres across the Baltic Sea and spent 74 days cycling and hiking across New Zealand's North and South Islands.

Watch the Curious Pedals documentary on YouTube and keep up with Vallu's future adventures on Instagram at @curiouspedals.

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Cycle Shorts: 1 Day of Your Trip: Muriel Zaccuri - China

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 02:00:00 +0200

What's the best part of taking a long distance bike journey? What are the moments you'd reflect back on the most if you were to ride across the world for two years?

Well in today's mid-week episode of Cycle Shorts we hear Muriel Zaccuri share just that.

I previously interviewed Muriel last year, while he was part way through his bike journey. At the time Muriel was in Central Asia and after speaking with him he continued to make his way across the continent, with an end destination of Japan. So it was lovely to receive this excerpt from Muriel and have him share 'one day of his trip' for listeners of the show.

You can listen to my full length interview with Muriel here.

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Bicycling Touring Around the World: Scott Sharrick

Sat, 08 Jun 2024 10:00:00 +0200

Have you ever thought of experiencing the world on two wheels? Well in this episode I interview Scott Sharick, who is currently doing exactly that.

Scott moved to Cambodia from the US, to become as he calls it - financially poor and experientially rich. However, not long after making that move he would suffer a stroke. It was during his very first cycle ride during his rehabilitation, that the thought of cycling the world came to Scott and he has making his way around the world on his bicycle ever since.

So it is the Strokes to Spokes Bike Tour began, and Scott has now cycled through much of Asia, across Australia and is now currently in the US - on a mission to cycle to all the National Parks in the Lower 48 States. Scott is keen to experience as much as possible on his bike tour and has plans to see most of our world on his two wheels.

You can follow Scott via his Instagram account - @ScottSharick and also watch his videos on his YouTube Channel - Strokes to Spokes Bicycling Around the World and also via his website: https://www.scottsharickphotography.com

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Cycle Shorts: 1 Day of Your Trip: Sue Chapple - France

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 02:00:00 +0200

Ever had to navigate a busy train station with a bike that's all loaded up for a long journey? In our Cycle Shorts mid-week short episodes we share the stories of our listeners recounting what it as like during one day of their trip. This week's episode features guest Sue Chapple, as she shares the experience from one day of her bike tour through France.

You can follow Sue's future adventures via her instagram account - @sue_chapple

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Would you Quit Your Job to Cycle Around the World? Barbara & Jordi

Sat, 01 Jun 2024 10:00:00 +0200

Have you ever dreamt of leaving everything behind to explore the world on two wheels? Barbara and Jordi the inspiring couple behind @2LocosOnWheels," did just that. In this episode, they share their incredible journey of cycling across continents, overcoming challenges, and experiencing the kindness of strangers.

They left their life and home in Dublin, Ireland behind and have been cycling the world on their bikes since. I spoke with both of them just after they reached Ushuaia at the very southern tip of South America. Now they are continuing their journey up the continent.

To follow along with their adventures do check them out on Instagram - @2LocosOnWheels and also their Facebook Page - 2LocosonWheels

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Cycle Shorts: 1 Day of Your Trip: James Thomas - Himalayas

Tue, 28 May 2024 02:00:00 +0200

What would it be like to cycle through the Himalayas? In our Cycle Shorts mid week episodes we share the stories of our listeners recounting what it was like during one day of their trip. This week's episode features guest James Thomas, as he shares the experience from one day of his bike tour cycling from Manali to Leh.

You can follow James adventures via his website - https://www.reallybigbikeride.com/

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Bkepacking Adventure from Canada to Argentina: Mark Sky

Sat, 25 May 2024 10:00:00 +0200

Ever wanted to go on a cycling adventure from North to South America? Well guest Mark Sky is currently doing exactly that on an adventure he has named Expedition Squagua. This will see him biking from his home in Squamish, Canada, all the way to Mt Aconcagua, Argentina.

Along the way Mark plans to hike the highest summit in every country he passes through. When I spoke to him, he'd already cycled through Canada, the US and Central America and he was about to ready himself to paddle the treacherous Darién Gap by Sea Kayak.

Mark is an experienced Adventure Racer, and I could tell that he thrives on the unknown challenges, as he says, adventure happens when things go wrong, and when we journey into the unknown.

Be sure to check out Mark's instagram to keep track of his progress on this adventure. @Supermarks_Adventures

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Cycle Shorts: 1 Day of Your Trip: Laura Willerton - Kyrgyzstan

Tue, 21 May 2024 02:00:00 +0200

What's it like to take a bike adventure through Central Asia? In our Cycle Shorts mid week episodes we share the stories of our listeners recounting what it was like during one day of their trip. This week's episode features guest Laura Willerton as she shares the experience from one day of her bike tour crossing no-mans land between the Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan border crossing.

You can follow Laura’s journey via her instagram account @onourbicycles

Want to get featured and share what it was like during one day of your cycling adventure? Then get in touch with me via instagram - @SeekTravelRide to find out how. you can be featured.

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What's it Like to Ride Paris Brest Paris? Izabela Murtagh

Sat, 18 May 2024 10:00:00 +0200

Ever wondered what it takes to be able to ride audax events like London Edinburgh London and Paris Brest Paris? Well Izabela Murtagh will tell you it's commuting 50+km every day in all the Scottish Weather, 5 days a week, year round.

She has done this now for over 8 years and little did she know at the time, that a way of saving money to get to work, would lead her to the world of long distance Audax rides. For those of you who have often wondered what Audax events are like, or who have thought of riding the big events like PBP or LEL, then this episode is a must listen.

Izabela's first big ride was Ride to the Sun, from Carlisle to Crammond Beach. But she ended up having to do the event a day early due to work. Alone, and never having ridden more than 100kms before, she was unperturbed and managed to ride the full distance - over 320kms!

From there she hasn't looked back and has completed an array of Audax events, as well as well as the TransAlba - a 1600km Ultra race around Scotland - where she came third place overall and first woman!

Izabela is now also the host of TowPath Talks hosted at the Towpath Cafe at BikeTrax Edinburgh.

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Cycle Shorts: 1 Day of Your Trip - Tara Weir - USA

Tue, 14 May 2024 03:00:00 +0200

What's it like to take a bicycle adventure? In our Cycle Shorts mid week episodes we share the stories of our listeners recounting what it was like during one day of their trip. This week's episode features guest Tara Weir, during a ride through the Navajo Nation.

Want to get featured and share what it was like during one day of your cycling adventure? Then get in touch with me via instagram - @SeekTravelRide to find out how you can be featured.

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Bike Touring through West Africa: Jude Kriwald - Part 2

Sat, 11 May 2024 10:00:00 +0200

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Cycle Shorts: 1 Day of Your Trip: Vallu Heinilä - Tajikistan

Tue, 07 May 2024 02:00:00 +0200

Listen to Vallu Heinilä describe what it was like for one day of his trip, as he cycled through the Whakan Valley in Tajikistan.

Be on the lookout for a full feature episode to come featuring Vallu's bike tour from Helsinki to Singapore. In the meantime check out his film - Curious Pedals and follow him on instagram - @curiouspedals

Want to be featured for a mid week episode of Cycle Shorts? Then get in touch and send an email - podcast@seektravelride.com and let me know all about one day of your trip.

Are you following us on instagram? Check us out and see images from each of our guests - @seektravelride

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Cycling from England to India: Jude Kriwald - Part 1

Sat, 04 May 2024 10:00:00 +0200

What's it like to cycle all the way from England to India? What's it like to ride your bike on an unknown track across the Pamirs? Well as a 19 year old Jude Kriwald decided to do just that, taking a solo bike tour from his home in England all the way to India. His route took him across Europe, through Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, then onto the Pamir Highway through Central Asia where he had to deal with temperatures as low as minus 30C.

Jude also shared his experiences of cycling through Tibet without a permit - which came with the added complexity of having to sneak around police border patrols for the entirety of his time there.

Hearing Jude speak I could tell that he thrives on adventure and this journey was thought up on the very idea of what would it be like to cycle well off the beaten track, amongst the giant mountain ranges of the Pamir Highway.

This is part 1 of a 2 part series sharing Jude's bicycle travels and focuses on Jude's first bicycle tour. Next week I'll release part 2 which focuses on Jude's bicycle tour through West Africa.

Follow Jude's adventures be sure to check him out via:
Instagram - @JudeKriwald
YouTube - @JudeKriwald
Blog - www.englandtoindia.blogspot.com
Website: - Adventure Mentor - Jude's new initiative to help other people on the path to adventure

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Cycle Shorts: 1 Day of Your Trip: Stephen Drew - Namibia

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 02:00:00 +0200

Listen to Stephen Drew share his experiences from one day of his trip during his Ride of Independance through the desert in Namibia.

Want to be featured in these mini mid-week episodes of Cycle Shorts? Then just get in touch via email to podcast@seektravelride.com and request to be featured.

Are you following the show on instagram check us out - @seektravelride

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Racing the Tour Divide 2023: Marie-Soleil Blais

Sat, 27 Apr 2024 10:00:00 +0200

Ever wondered what it's like to race the Tour Divide bikepacking race? Well in this episode I speak to Marie-Soleil Blais, a former professional road cyclist who traded her sleek tarmac sprints for the gritty trails of bikepacking. Marie-Soleil shares her transformation from chasing Olympic dreams to embracing the raw challenge of self-supported cycling adventures.

We discuss Marie-Soleil's first bikepacking adventure to her encounter with a grizzly bear just 45 minutes out of Banff. Her stories are a testament to her unyielding spirit and the mantra - "When in doubt, keep going." Her tales of pushing past the brink of exhaustion during the Tour Divide, where sleep deprivation and relentless determination became her companions, will leave you both awestruck and inspired.

Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or a curious newcomer, Marie-Soleil's story is a powerful reminder that the greatest journeys often begin with a single pedal stroke into the unknown.

🚴‍♀️ Women's Ride: Discover more about Marie's initiative and join the community at WomensRide.ca
Check out Marie's YouTube Channel and watch her film - Chasing follow her on Instagram - @mariesoleilblais74

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Cycle Shorts: 1 Day of Your Trip -Spain - Barbara 2LocosOnWheels

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 02:00:00 +0200

Barbara shares her experiences from one day of her multi year around the world cycling adventure. This day occurred on the day she and her husband Jordi were to cycle across the border from France into Spain.

Follow Barbara and Jordi's adventures via their instagram - @2locosonwheels and Facebook page - 2locosonwheels and be on the lookout for a full feature episode on Seek Travel Ride to come.

This is the third episode of Cycle Shorts where listeners share 'one day of their trip' Want to be featured as well? Get involved and tell me about one day of your trip - Just click here and record a voicemail message.

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Wiebke Lühmann: Bike Touring 20,000kms from Freiburg to Capetown

Sat, 20 Apr 2024 10:00:00 +0200

Guest Wiebke Lühmann's passion for adventure has led her to embark on a staggering 20,000-kilometer cycling journey from Freiburg to Cape Town. During this episode she talks about how embracing the unknown is at the very essence of cycle travel and how she has found her own personal strength in solitude, navigating the diverse and challenging landscapes of Europe and Africa. From sandstorms through the Sahara to navigating challenging border crossings it's clear that this adventure through West Africa is one filled with experiences so vast and with the wet season looming she is readying herself for the adventures still to come.

I spoke to Wiebke while she was in Conakry, Guinea, as she makes her way down the West African coastline on a journey which will take over a year to complete. Weibke shared how her previous endurance background has shaped her approach to overcoming obstacles on this adventure. This isn't her first long distance bicycle journey. She previously spent over 7 months travelling through South America, and in 2022 she cycled from Hambug to the North Cape in Norway - a journey which was documented beautifully in the film On her Own.

You can follow along Weibke's journey via her Instagram -@wiebkelueh and also on her strava account and YouTube - @Wiebkelueh

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Cycle Shorts: 1 Day of Your Trip - Norway: Russell Nankervis

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 02:00:00 +0200

Russell Nankervis shares his experiences from one day of his 7000km+ trip cycling from the North Cape in Norway to Tarifa, Spain across Europe. This day occurred on day two of Russell's adventure as he was cycling through Arctic Norway.

This is the second episode of Cycle Shorts where listeners share 'one day of their trip'. Want to be featured as well? Get Involved and tell me about one day of your trip - just click here and record a voicemail message***

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Bikepacking the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route: Katrina Hase

Sat, 13 Apr 2024 10:00:00 +0200

Want to know what it's like to go bikepacking on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route? Well in this episode guest Katrina Hase shares her stories and experiences of doing just that.

In 2023 Katrina decided to take on the goal of riding the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route as a way of celebrating both her 50th birthday as well as 10 years of sobriety. She had discovered the sport of mountain biking later in life - joining in with her son who had taken it up and school, and it didn't take too long before she was hooked.

It was the decision to buy a gravel bike that opened up the world of bikepacking to Katrina. She could put gear on it and go on a real adventure

This was a solo journey but the highlights of the trip for Katrina were overwhelmingly the people she met and befriended along the way. I really got the sense of the value of community which Katrina spoke about and those encounters at the Lama Ranch, Brush Mountain Lodge as well as the kindness of strangers were the real highlights. Having her friend Traci join her for some of this journey was also very impactful for Katrina as well.

To follow Katrina's future adventures check her out on Youtube - @katrinahase and also Instagram - @birdsnbikesnballet

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Sat, 16 Mar 2024 10:00:00 +0100

This episode features guest Viivi Rissanen who enjoys nothing more than taking adventures on two wheels. We chat about why she chose the bicycle as the way to explore and her early introduction to cycle touring. From shorter day trips to longer ones such as her bicycle tour from London to Posnan.

In 2023 Viivi took a bikepacking trip through New Zealand from north to south - a land of untamed beauty and unpredictable weather. Facing the elements head-on, Viivi cycled the Tour Aotearoa, navigating from the lush subtropical rainforests of the North Island to the majestic, snow-capped peaks of the South Island.

Viivi was undeterred by torrential rains and the chill of winter, and her story is one of quiet confidence and self-reliance. From the sandy expanse of 90 Mile Beach to the arid plains of Canterbury, along the way, she encountered generous strangers, tackled unforeseen challenges, and found joy in the simple act of moving forward, one day at a time.

I enjoyed Viivi's reflections on her tour and her approach – prioritising the experience over speed and fancy gear – serves as an inspiring reminder that the greatest adventures often lie in the journey itself, not just the destination.

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How to plan a bike touring route across the USA: Adventure Cycling Association

Sat, 09 Mar 2024 10:00:00 +0100

What sort of adventures does someone who is in charge of putting cycle routes on the map take? Well in this episode I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Jenn Hammelman, Director of Routes at the Adventure Cycling Association where she has been working as a cartographer for over 25 years now. We chatted about what it has been like to chart a course for people to undertake their own adventures across the USA, and what goes into creating new routes.

For people planning out bicycle adventures in the US, the Adventure Cycling Association is naturally their first port of call. Not only have they created a network of over 52,000miles, 83000kms of routes to choose from, the Adventure Cycling Association also has a large amount of information available to help people get on their bikes and explore. To that end, Jenn has also done her fair share of exploring too and in 2017 she took a trip from Portland Maine to Seattle, Washington - the long way - cycling along routes which she worked on for years.

Check out more about the Adventure Cycling Association via their website
You can also discover Jenn's journal of her trip

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Cycling Around the World: Nicolai Bangsgaard. Global Triathlon Challenge

Sat, 02 Mar 2024 10:00:00 +0100

Guest Nicolai Bangsgaard is a Danish Anthropologist who has spent almost two decades discovering the world by human powered travel. In 2006, he set out on a long distance bicycle tour that would span four years, taking him across six continents, pedalling his way through 53 countries with a total distance of 62,000km. But that by no means was the end of his adventures and since then he has kept exploring the world through slow travel.

I spoke with Nicolai when he had just arrived in Perth to undertaken leg 2 of his latest challenge which he calls the Global Triathlon. Leg 1 involved a 20,000km cycle from Denmark to Singapore. Leg 2 will see Nicolai traverse Australia and New Zealand on a Kick Scooter. For leg 3 he will be running across the US before returning back to two wheels in Portugal and cycling back to his home in Denmark.

I really enjoyed hearing Nicolai share his vast experiences and insights from the adventures he has undertaken so far. I was able to understand his motivations to keep exploring the world in this manner and to also learn more about his current challenge too.

You can follow Nicolai's adventures via his instagram account - @nicolaibangsgaard
Find him on facebook via : Nicolai Bangsgaard and his personal website is https://www.nicolaibangsgaard.dk/hjem/

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Steph Devery: Choosing Adventure on a 21,500km Cycle Tour through 40 Countries

Sat, 24 Feb 2024 10:00:00 +0100

Steph Devery shares her experiences from a solo cycle tour through Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Steph set off from Gibralter in June 2021. When she left on that day she'd never ridden a bike long distance, but with an appetite for adventure and no fixed timelines, she began a trip that would ultimately take her to the very tip of Southern Africa at the Cape of Good Hope. A total distance of 21,500km and through 40 countries, to say this cycle tour was an adventure is a real understatement

Steph's experiences on this journey lasting 2 years and 7 months were incredible and she navigated through setbacks which would give many an excuse not to continue. A serious knee injury in the French Alps put her tour on hold, but her resolve to continue this journey never wavered.

She cycled through the Middle East, and is the first Australian woman to cycle through Saudi Arabia. As her adventures crossed over into Africa and Sudan she was swept up by the incredible hospitality of the Sudanese people. When war unexpectedly broke out while she was in Khartoum, she took shelter with a family for 10 days before evacuated by the French Military.

Arriving in Paris without her bicycle or many of her possessions, many would put an end to the adventure. But not Steph. She was still determined to continue with her trip, and after 2 months, she arrived in Zanzibar to continue her journey through Africa. 7 months of pure adventure followed, and hearing her recount the incredible stories from her African experience was a pure joy.

Be sure to follow Steph to keep up with her future adventures. You can find her on instagram - @stephdevery and via her website www.stephdevery.com

You can contribute to the Go fund Me which Steph set up for Raihan via this link

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Cycle Touring Across the USA: Daniel Troia

Sat, 17 Feb 2024 10:00:00 +0100

In this episode I feature guest Daniel Troia, a filmmaker who embarked on a remarkable journey to traverse the United States not just on two wheels, but with an audacious twist. Daniel set off on this trip without a penny to his name or food in his panniers. Over seven months and across 19 states, he instead put his faith in the kindness of strangers, proving that generosity can be found in the most unexpected places.

Daniel captured his experience in his award winning documentary "We Are All in This Together' which highlights the essence of human connection and the powerful lessons learned from those living on the fringes of society. We spoke about his experiences on the trip, wildcamping, cycling through beautiful scenery, enduring all the weather extremes, dumpster diving for food as well as the power and necessity for human connection when embarking on a trip like this requires.

I highly recommend watching Daniel's film - check it out via his website - https://www.weareallinthistogethermovie.com/ The film is available now on Google Play, Apple TV as well as Amazon Prime.

To follow Daniel's future adventures you can find him on:
Instagram - @the_travelin_dude
YouTube - @TheTravelinDude

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Cycling the 2023 Tour Divide Bikepacking Race: Jack Keogh

Sat, 10 Feb 2024 10:00:00 +0100

In this episode I caught up with Jack Keogh, an Australian Film Maker who has a strong passion for the outdoors and bikepacking. Recently he combined the two when he filmed his experience of racing in the 2023 Tour Divide Race.

The Tour Divide is an annual bikepacking race which follows the 2,745-mile (4,418 km) Great Divide Mountain Bike Route from Canada to the Mexican Border. Jack's story is particularly unique in that he turned up to the event with the view of filming his experience along the way. The output of that was an amazing documentary - The Hardest Race on Earth: A Tour Divide Film released on YouTube.

His film beautifully captures the highs and lows of ultra cycling events. From the excitement of being in jaw dropping landscapes, to the grim reality of sheltering from huge thunderstorms and having to trudge through kilometres of peanut butter mud. I really got the feel for his passion for both documenting his experience as a filmmaker, but also just how energised he gets from being in the outdoors.

Jack's first foray into the sport of BikePacking was an event called the Hunt 1000 and I couldn't help but thinking as we spoke, how cycling through that terrain in the Australian High Country was great preparation for the Tour Divide itself.

Jack is also an accomplished thru-hiker, having completed the Pacific Crest Trail previously.

You can keep up with Jack's future adventures by checking out the following:
Instagram - @jackscottkeogh
Website - https://jackscottkeogh.com
YouTube - @jackscottkeogh
Film - The Hardest Race on Earth: A Tour Divide Film

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What's it like to take on an Ultra Cycling Event as a Beginner? The Fledglings

Sat, 03 Feb 2024 10:00:00 +0100

I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Berenice, Rosie and Tam - three women who were keen to test themselves in the sport of ultra distance cycling . Often these events can feel intimidating and just getting to the start line is a big deal. So to try and break down those barriers, a group was created called the Fledglings.

Previous guest of the showApril Drage, teamed up with Alice Marsh and Carly Williams to mentor the Fledglings group, sharing the skills they would need to participate in an ultra-cycling event. From learning how to use navigation equipment, attending crash courses in bush mechanic skills, as well as figuring out how to find the best bivvy spot; this group methodically went through each topic together - and also had a lot of fun along the way.

The Mallee Blast was their chosen event, which was designed to be beginner friendly. There were two distance options - 500km and 1000kms and the course was put together with the view that participants would never be too far from services and towns for resupply and accommodation.

Of course no-one could have predicted the weather event which hit just at the start, and the Fleglings would have to deal with heavy rain, flooded roads, and peanut butter mud!

So what was it like to join the Fledglings, learn the ropes of ultra distance cycling and turn up to the start line of that first event? Berenice, Rosie and Tam chatted with me to give me the low down on their experiences.

Click below to follow along with their future adventures:

Tam - instagram - @kidneying_around
Rosie - @rosiegl0w
Berenice - @bereniceheuberger

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Bikepacking South America, Patagonia to Colombia. Jack Greenwood

Sat, 27 Jan 2024 10:00:00 +0100

Jack Greenwood recounts his extraordinary South American odyssey on the latest episode of Seek Travel Ride. From the frost-kissed plains of Patagonia to the sun-drenched shores of Colombia, Jack's tale is one of relentless climbs, jaw-dropping vistas, and the transformative power of a long distance bicycle tour.

As a history teacher with a deep-seated passion for the past, Jack's adventure was not just a physical challenge but a profound educational experience, immersing himself in the rich tapestries of South American cultures and landscapes. He shares the highs of waking up to pristine lakes reflecting the dawn, the lows of battling altitude sickness, and the simple joys of being in awe at the vistas he was cycling through continuously.

Jack first conceived this trip years ago when watching the film the Motorcycle Diaries. He wanted to recreate that trip on a conventional bicycle.

During the trip he connected with the rich history of the countries he was travelling through. His narrative is punctuated by moments of spontaneous generosity from locals, introspective solitude, and the unbreakable bond formed with his travel companion, Jake.

Listening to Jack speak you will be transported to the rugged trails of the Andes, the vast expanse of the Atacama, and the lush embrace of the Amazon. His reflections are a reminder that the greatest journeys often surpass our wildest dreams, offering gifts of insight and camaraderie that endure long after the last pedal is turned.

You can Jack's ongoing reflections and stories from his epic tour on his Substack, '10,000 Kilometres Arriba in Latino America,' and on Instagram @Hedgewood.

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Peter Gostelow: A Lifetime of Cycling Adventures. 145,000km through 86 countries.

Sat, 20 Jan 2024 08:00:00 +0100

In this episode I interview Peter Gostelow who shares his thoughtful musings on a remarkable lifetime of cycling adventures. With nearly 145,000 kilometers cycled across 86 countries, Peter reflects on a life spent turning the pedals, from his early days of discovery to the profound realisations of a nomadic existence. He shares the shifts in his motivations for travel, the joy of the ride, the challenges of constant movement, and the quest for community and a place to call home.

We spoke about Peter's approach to wild camping, how he looks forward to finding that magic spot each day. But also how his adventures have evolved, both with experience and the advent of technology. Peter's first trip long tour was taken in 2005 when he cycled from Japan all the way home to the UK. Pre-internet, smart phone and GPS when learning about countries was only found in guidebooks and through conversations with locals.

During the interview we delve into the essence of slow travel, as well as the complexities of building a life on the road. Peter's candidness offers a unique perspective on the transformative power of long-term bicycle touring and the balance between the freedom of the open road and the longing for a sense of community.

Listening to Peter sharing his experiences, it was really clear to me just how integral exploring new places on a bicycle has been to him. I spoke with Peter as he was gearing up for his next journey of cycling through the stunning landscapes of Jordan and into Saudi Arabia.

Be sure to follow Peter's ongoing adventures via:

Instagram at @PeteGost
Komoot - Peter Gostelow
Strava - Peter Gostelow

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Cycling from Alaska to Argentina at the age of 80: Robert Fletcher

Sat, 13 Jan 2024 10:00:00 +0100

I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Robert Fletcher and have him share his experiences of cycling from Alaska to Argentina as a 81 year old! Robert came up with the idea of Octo Odyssey as a way of celebrating turning 80. His original idea was to cycle from the North Pole, Alaska to Panama City where he would set a world record. He successfully did this - setting the record for the longest continuous journey undertaken on an electric bicycle.

But Robert didn't want his trip to end there. He waited out the colder winter months and then set off to continue the journey all the way to Ushuaia, Argentina. A total distance of over 26,500kms! He believes he is the oldest person to have completed this journey. Quite an incredible effort.

Robert shared a lot of his past experiences of his travel adventures - from his early cycle touring trips where navigation devices and the age of the internet were not in existence - to his previous trip from Alaska to Central America. His advice for others considering doing a trip like this in their older age - Just do it!

Listening to this episode is sure to inspire you and fill you with a sense of wanderlust for adventure.

Be sure to follow Robert via the links below to keep an eye out on his future adventures.

Website - www.octooydssey.com
Facebook - Octogenarian Odyssey
Instagram - @OctoOdyssey
Book - Octogenarian Odyssey. Trading the sofa for a bicycle seat

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Cycle Touring the World as a Family of 5: BroJames Family

Sat, 06 Jan 2024 10:00:00 +0100

In this episode I had the pleasure of speaking with the Pascale, Alex, Rosalie, Elliot and Henri - an intrepid Canadian family of five who are currently bicycle touring their way around the world. They've named their trip 3 continents with 3 teenss and during this discussion they share great insights about what it is like to cycle around the world as a family of five.

What makes this family unique isn't so much their trip - but could you just imagine taking a year out of life with your whole family to go cycling through so many different countries? But rather, it is doing this trip as a family which includes three teenagers. The complexities of travelling when the children are very much young adults themselves means they have very different needs and perspectives then say younger children would. It certainly adds an extra dynamic to a conventional bike tour that's for sure.

They set off from Portugal a few months ago and had made their way to Istanbul when we caught up. Now they are all in SE Asia enjoying the next leg of their journey. Eventually this trip will see them take on North America as well as they make their way back to their home.

What was evident during the discussion is just how much taking a trip like this together has helped the family to bond even more. I was especially impressed with the maturity each of three young adults of the group spoke with as well. Itt's pretty clear taking a trip like this together has brought them closer as a family unit and also imparted life skills which will stay with them forever.

To follow along with their intrepid adventures be sure to check out their social pages listed below:

Facebook - We the Fam
Blog - A Tour of 3 Continents with 3 Teens
Polar Steps - We the Fam BroJames

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Bicycle Touring Adventures Across Europe: Agnieszka Bagińska

Sat, 30 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0100

In this episode guest Agnieszka Bagińska shares her experiences of exploring countries and cultures on a bicycle. It was 2013 when she went on her first cycling trip, a tour which would take in the Polish coastline - starting from the border with Germany, and continuing on until reaching the Russian border. Since that trip she has discovered a passion for slow travel and has taken many more cycle tours.

In 2021 she loaded her bike up and set off from Spain for a tour of Southern Europe. 5300kms in 100 days. She followed this adventure up with a tour of Northern Europe in 2022 where she discovered what it was like cycling in colder temperatures in the mesmerising landscapes of Iceland and the Faroe Islands.

Her latest tour in 2023 saw her cycle the Wild Atlantic Way as a group of three. But while her friends finished their bicycle tour in Ireland, Agnieszka decided she would continue to cycle all the way home to Poland - the long way.

I enjoyed chatting with Agnieszka a lot and hearing about how she approaches her cycle tours. She has learnt to balance these trips by mixing in a perfect amount of solo cycling as well as taking tours with her friends as well.

To follow Agnieszka's adventures be sure to check out her instagram account - @welcomeonmybike

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Bicycle Touring 11,000km Across North America: Eric Lederer

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0100

It was an absolute pleasure to feature Eric Lederer for this episode of Seek Travel Ride and have him share his story and experiences of bicycle touring over 11,000km across North America. Eric started in LA and called the ride Operation Fish m
Market - named after the dive bar which he would end his ride at in New York City.

Some common themes which came out during this discussion was centred around Eric putting his career on hold to take this journey. We talked about what it's like to put life on pause, and also the spirit of planning an adventure like this. To just trust that things will work out and not needing to wait for everything to be perfect to start.

Eric also mentioned that three things were his focus for the ride - the beauty of national parks and nature, meeting family and friends along the route, and RAGBRAI! The latter did not dissapoint.

As with many other bicycle travellers, Eric couldn't speak more fondly of the kindness of strangers who he met on the roadside. He especially recalled an encounter with the infamous Frank Sanders from Devil's Tower. We mentioned the documentary featuring Frank during the interview and you can check it out for yourself here: Frank Sander's Documentary

Eric's story definitely goes to show that it is ok to take breaks from the societal norms and seek out adventure which will broaden our horizon and perspectives.

To read more about Eric's Operation Fish Market ride you can check out his blog

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Laura Killingbeck: Enigma's Odyssey - 8.5months Solo Cycling the US & Canada

Sat, 16 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0100

I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Laura Killingbeck and have her share her experiences of spending 8.5 months cycling solo across the US and Canada. But you'd be wrong to assume this has been the only adventure in Laura's life. Indeed, she has lived a life of adventure since she first started travelling solo when she was an 18 year old when she stuck out her thumb and hitchhiked her way to Mexico.

Since then Laura has had what many would deem to be wild experiences. It was when she worked as a dancer in a club that she realised she needed a change in life. She booked a trip to Iceland and spent a month cycling around the island on her touring bike. Laura enjoyed that time of slow travel on a bicycle but she quickly fell back into that environment she had escaped from once again.

She once again chose bicycle touring as her way to 'escape' and she rode from Alaska all the way to San Francisco before spending the next 13 years living and working in experimental communities in Costa Rica.

The need to leave that lifestyle became clear to Laura and so much like she did 15 years ago, she chose the bicycle as her mode of travel. This time she would depart where that first long trip ended - San Francisco. She spent 8.5months cycling solo on her bike named Enigma. She cycled the Pacific Coast Route, the Chihuahuan Connector and then the full length of the Great Divide. She immersed herself fully in the outdoors on this trip, including spending 3 months living in caves in the desert.

Laura speaks candidly about all these life experiences and we chatted about what it has been like for her to break free and discover more about herself as she lives this life of adventure.

You can read more about Laura via her blog - Laura's Stories and also via her Facebook Page and Instagram - @laurakillingbeck

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Bicycle Touring Across Canada. Viola & Jeff

Sat, 09 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0100

I had the absolute pleasure to speak with Viola and Jeff Baker - a father daughter duo who who recently cycled across Canada. With their back wheels dipped in the Pacific Ocean, they set off from Bamfield on the West Coast of Vancouver Island and cycled West until they reached their end point of Cape Spear, on the Atlantic Ocean. This trip would see them cycle over 8000kms, creating endless memories as they discovered more about their own country. They also fundraised during the trip - raising funds for Alzheimers research.

The idea for the trip was sparked by Viola and it was clear Jeff had no hesitation in accepting an invitation from his daughter to join her for this adventure. At first he wasn't certain his knees would make it all the way across, but once they reached Calgary - he was sure he could make it.

For Viola this was her very first long distance bicycle tour and from the way she reflects back on it I could see how energising the trip was. I also really got a sense of how going on a trip of this length for this long has strengthened the bond between the two of them and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to them share stories from their trip. I'm certain more cycling adventures are ahead of them.

You can keep up with Jeff and Viola's future adventures via:
Jeff - Facebook and Instagram
Viola - Instagram

Viola and Jeff also fundraised for the Alzheimers Society of Canada during this trip. You can contribute to their fundraise here.

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Bikepacking the 2023 Tour Divide: April Drage

Sat, 02 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0100

This episode features the amazing story of April Drage - an ultra endurance cyclist who this year took on her dream race of the 2023 Tour Divide - an event that is often seen as the premier off-road bikepacking race. But to April this was more than just a race - it was what she termed her 'cycling holiday' and she had a goal to ride this event for years.

This wasn't April's first off-road bikepacking event - indeed, she has quite an impressive palmarès, and we spoke about her experiences of riding the Race to the Rock as well as the Rhino Run. What was so clear to me as I spoke with April is that riding her bike in this style over long distances is a pure joy. She is fully immersed in her surroundings and truly enjoys every moment. Having spent two decades working as a social worker it was clear to her that she needed a change - and as April put it - bikepacking has allowed her to feel again - something she wasn't sure was still possible for her.

Now April is fully immersed in the bikepacking world - and a career change now sees her working at Curve in Melbourne, where she also leads weekly social rides and helps others to get into the sport.

You can follow April via instagram at - @AprilAWOL and if you are in Melbourne check out those social rides by Curve.

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22,000km Bicycle Tour From Argentina to Canada: Katja & Martin

Sat, 25 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0100

In this episode I speak with Katja and Martin who recently completed a 22,000km bicycle tour of the Americas. This journey would see them cycling for 21 months setting off from Argentina, destination Canada.
Their adventure from south to north saw them battle with relentless Patagonian headwinds, cycle across amazing landscapes such as the Salar de Uyuni salt desert, tackle the Peru Great Divide trail, and get fully immersed in the Amazon jungle.
We spoke at length about what it was like to pack up their panniers to spend almost two years on the road cycling. They also shared their top tips for how to camp in extreme cold temperatures - they experienced night of minus 20C on this trip.
They spoke about the highs of being in amazing landscapes, interspersed with the lows of cycling through a village which had been decimated by a landslide. I found their approach to making connections and learning about the people and cultures of the countries they were travelling through along the way, very impactful.

Links to Katja and Martin's social channels and blogs are:
Instagram: -@americasbybike
Website: - Americas by Bike

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Ultra Cycling and Bike Packing - Everything You Need to Know: Stefan Barth

Sat, 18 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0100

I had the pleasure of interviewing Stefan Barth an ultra cycling athlete and Medical Fitness and Endurance Coach who has a passion for the sport of bike packing and also enjoys testing himself in ultra cycling events. Stefan has competed in 24hour cycling races, and has tested his limits in the gruelling 9 day ultra cycling event - Race Around Germany, where he was chasing the fastest known time record.

Stefan's passion for the sport has also led him to take longer bike packing tours as well - most recently the European Divide Trail. he likes to mix up the sport and uses off road bike packing routes in particular as a way to keep things fresh and give him a break from only focusing on being competitive.

Something unique to Stefan is that he also works within the sector of the sport - coaching other cycling athletes. In fact it was when Stefan was training for his own events that he realised this section of the sport was lacking in training guides and resources to help other people prepare. So what did Stefan do? He compiled research, interviewed many other athletes and wrote a book titled Ultra Cycling and Bike Packing. Everything You Need to Know! Through the power of crowd funding the book was recently translated and made available in English.

You can find out more about Stefan via the following links:

Coaching Business - SBU Coaching
Book - Ultra Cycling and Bike Packing - Everything You Need to Know!
Instagram - @Barthsman
LinkedIn - Stefan Barth
YouTube - @StefanBarth-SBUCoaching

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Around the World on Bicycles: Laura & Simon

Sat, 11 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0100

In this episode I had the pleasure of chatting with Laura and Simon - a couple who made the decision to go on a world wide bicycle tour. These two are no strangers to travel, but this is the first time they have used cycling as a way to discover new places and cultures.

I spoke to them both while they were in Bangkok, Thailand having already cycled and explored the world on a bicycle for a year and a half. They set off from England, crossed Europe and then took the road less travelled through the UAE and Oman. Then they cycled down the entire west coast of India, before continuing their travels through South East Asia. From there they continued to Mongolia where they were mesmerised by the expansive landscapes.

I really enjoyed chatting with both Laura and Simon, and discovering why two people who don't identify themselves as being cyclists, see that adventuring on two wheels is the perfect way to travel and explore the world.

Keep up with Simon and Laura's adventures via:
Instagram - @weridebikesplaces
YouTube - Weridebikesplaces

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Riding the 7,500km European Divide Trail on a Unicycle! Rebekka Wiedener

Sat, 04 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0100

In this episode I had the pleasure of interviewing Rebekka Wiedener who recently completed the European Divide Trail on a Unicycle! Rebekka started learning to ride a unicycle at the age of 10 and the places she has explored on one wheel are truly phenomenal.

She is a two times Unicycling Uphill World Champion and she has a lot of experience in unipacking, which is multiday adventures on offroad trails on a unicycle. In 2017, Rebecca unipacked the Arizona Trail, 800 miles of offroading from Mexico to Utah. In 2019, she enjoyed a unipacking adventure through Scotland, which included an ascent of Ben Nevis, the UK's highest mountain. Her most recent expedition saw her complete the European Divide Trail, a7,500km route which lays claim to being the longest off road bike packing route in the world.

So what's it like to take on big adventures on a unicycle? Listen to Rebekka share her story and her experiences from taking on the European Divide Trail.

You can keep up with Rebekka's future adventures via her social channels below:

Instagram: - @becky_diebergziege
YouTube: - @rebekkawiedener

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Bikepacking a WWII POW Escape Route: Graham Coult & Charles Henderson

Sat, 28 Oct 2023 10:00:00 +0200

In this episode I catch up with Graham Coult and Charles Henderson who recently completed a bikepacking trip on the escape route taken by Graham's grandfather from a WWII POW camp - Stalag 18a.

The idea for this route came to Graham when he discovered the original map his Grandfather used to escape from the prison camp in Austria. The thin blue line traced on the map formed the basis of the 2000km route, and Graham and Charles set out to see what this experience would entail. It should be pointed out that Charles is not a cyclist - he only got the bicycle he would use for the trip just a few days before setting off!

It was the first time either of them had taken on a multi-day bikepacking adventure and as they discovered during the trip, this route would test them in ways they hadn't considered. Busy roads and cold, wet weather meant they had to grit through some grim conditions on this reflective journey. It became apparent that teamwork camaraderie were the elements which would get them to the finish in Thessaloniki.

I really enjoyed chatting with both Graham and Charles who also used this trip as a fundraiser. You can learn more and donate to their charities here.

Read about the route in more detail on their dedicated website - Ride for Mental Health and also follow them on social media - Instagram.

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Sat, 09 Sep 2023 10:00:00 +0200

In this episode I interview Rebecca Lowe who in 2015 cycled all the way from her home in London to Tehran. Her motivation for her solo bicycle tour was to get a better understanding of the Middle East - beyond the portrayals in western media. She knew that travelling on a bicycle would be a perfect way to discover the region and also be a great catalyst to have truly immersive interactions with the locals.

All up she cycled over 11,000kms and the insights and experiences she collected along the way helped to inform her views of the people and cultures which are found in this region. Rebecca also wrote about her Journey in her book - The Slow Road to Tehran, a Revelatory Bike Ride Through the Middle East.

During the episode we discuss what it was like to travel to a region often portrayed as a ‘dangerous place’ especially for a solo female traveller. As a journalist specialising in human rights, Rebecca also shared her reasons for choosing to undertake this trip on a bicycle, tough moments battling heat stroke in the desert, the kindness of strangers and of course food and kebabs!

You can read more about Rebecca’s trip via:

Her book - A Slow Road to Tehran: A Revelatory Bike Ride Through Europe and the Middle East

Her blog - The Bicycle Diaries

Her Instagram - @reo_lowe

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Cycling the Raid Pyrenees: Chloe Sanderson & Mary Thornton

Sat, 02 Sep 2023 10:00:00 +0200

In this episode I speak with Chloe Sanderson & Mary Thornton who recently bicycle toured coast to coast on the Raid Pyrenees route. This cycle tour would see them leave the shores of the Atlantic, Ocean to cross the entire Pyrenees mountain range until reaching the Mediterranean Sea.

I met Chloe and Mary whilst they were part-way through this challenge - we swapped details five kms from the top of the Col du Tourmalet and agreed to get together afterwards to see how it all went for them.

During this episode we spoke about what it was like each day dealing with mountain pass after mountain pass, as well as biblical thunderstorms whilst partway up the Col d'Aubisque. Mary and Chloe also shared what it was like to be immersed in the Pyrenees landscape for 9 days. It was fantastic to hear about their motivations for taking on such a mountainous bicycle tour as they shared that their recipe for success was down to a good amount of stubborn ignorance as well as being fuelled by French Boulangeries.

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Cycling 25,000km Around the World: Pippa Langan

Sat, 26 Aug 2023 10:00:00 +0200

In this episode I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Pippa Langan, who recently cycled 25,000km around the world. This was a monumental trip and Pippa shared her experiences from her bikepacking trip. Her set up was ultra lightweight - she didn't even take a tent. Just a bivvy bag - and later on a hammock.

Pippa travelled vast distances each day as she cycled from her home in London, across 4 continents, 24 countries before ending the trip in New York. In total it took her just over 7 months to complete this huge bikepacking trip - and along the way she participated in an ultra cycling race in Sri Lanka - Race the Pearl - where she finished as first female.

I loved hearing Pippa chat about her experiences on this trip of a lifetime, and her insights from travelling in this manner, with a lightweight bikepacking set-up, and what she learnt not just about the world but also herself along the way.

You can read more about Pippa's cycling trip via her personal blog -
Postcards from Pippa and you can also keep up with her latest activities via her Strava account.

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McKenzie Barney: Cycling The World. 29,000km, 5 Continents, 28 Countries

Sat, 19 Aug 2023 10:00:00 +0200

In this episode I had the absolute pleasure to chat with intrepid adventurer McKenzie Barney, who recently finished a 29,000km expedition cycling around the world. Five continents, 28 countries and so many priceless experiences along the way.

After discovering a passion for slow travel via thru-hiking, McKenzie decided she wanted to explore another form of human powered travel and turned her attention to bicycle touring. She has come a long way since her first tour where she landed in Vietnam, bought herself a second hand bicycle and then started pedalling. Since then McKenzie has explored the world by bike - both as a solo female traveller, as well as sharing part of the journey with her partner.

McKenzie has now garnered a wealth of experience and it was a joy to hear her recount her adventures and have her share some of her top travelling tips as well. We chatted about the motivations to cycle around the world, and the experiences garnered from travelling in this manner.

Mckenzie also shared insights from her trips in each continent, and what it was like travelling solo as opposed to touring as a team of two. It was also interesting to see how the experiences gained from each of her trips informed the way she travelled subsequently - and included changes to her bicycle touring setup as well.

Be sure to follow her via the following channels to stay up to date with her future adventures.

Instagram - @mckenziebarney
Personal Website - www.cyclingtheworldfilm.com

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The Fastest Women to Cycle Across Europe: Nathalie Baillon

Sat, 12 Aug 2023 10:00:00 +0200

In this episode I speak with Nathalie Baillon, a French ultra endurance athlete who recently set the women's world record for the fastest cycle across Europe. Nathalie took just 18 days, 15 hours and 27mins to cycle from Tarifa in Spain to the North Cape in Norway, a total distance of 6,300km.

We chat about how Nathalie first discovered the world of long distance cycling during a bicycle tour she took in N.Z. She was completely hooked on the sport and since then has put her engineering career on hold, to follow her passion for ultra cycling full-time.

I especially liked finding out more about Nathalie's drive to partake in this sport and her three drivers being, challenge, discovery and the unknown. Clearly pushing the boundaries and seeing what is possible is a big motivator for Nathalie.

In addition to holding the women's world record for the fastest cycle across Europe, Nathalie also holds the 24 hour world record in Le Mans for the longest distance cycled by a woman - 837kms as well as an impressive string of results from prestigious ultra cycling events.

Be sure to follow Nathalie's future cycling adventures via:
Her personal website - www.nathaliebaillon.com
Her instagram - @nathalie_baillon
Strava - Nathalie Baillon

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Bike Touring from Europe to Japan: Muriel Zaccuri

Sat, 05 Aug 2023 11:00:00 +0200

In this episode I had the pleasure of interviewing Muriel Zaccuri, an Italian who is currently on a long distance bicycle tour that will eventually see him get to Japan. But Muriel isn't taking the conventional touring route from Europe, instead, with a mind to escape the cold winter, he detoured via the Gulf region to explore areas not often travelled by tourers.

I catch up with his experiences from his bicycle tour so far, what his impressions of touring in the Gulf Region have been, as well as what is in store for him as he continues to make his way, on the long road to Japan.

You can follow along with Muriel's travels by checking out his Instragram account:
@murielonbike

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Cycling Solo from London to Istanbul: Tess Meyer

Sat, 29 Jul 2023 10:00:00 +0200

In this episode i had the pleasure of speaking with Tess Meyer and learning more about her bicycle adventures. Tess first started exploring by bicycle on a trip through New Zealand. That first trip was done with her good friend and she was hooked, enjoying some of the finest off road trails on her Tour of Aotearoa .

Since then Tess has continued touring with a bicycle and we talked about her experiences of cycling from London to Istanbul. The key difference with this big trip was that Tess undertook this one on her own and we talk about what it was like travelling solo through countries, exploring cultures and places on a bike.

Tess shared the highs and lows of this trip from a magical few days exploring caves and beaches, to dealing with the stress of having all her possessions and passport stolen whilst in a foreign country.

To follow along with Tess' future adventures be sure to follow her via:
Instagram - @Tessbikes

You can also check out her bikepacking bags via her website - www.tessbikes.com

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Biking the Trans America Bike Trail: Ali Dastagirzada

Sat, 22 Jul 2023 10:00:00 +0200

In this episode I had the pleasure of speaking with Ali Dastagirzada regarding his Bicycle Tour from Virginia to Oregon on the TransAmerica Bike Trail in 2022. This was Ali's first bicycle tour and it would see him buy a bike, quit his job and then ride across ten states from his starting point in Virginia to reach his finishing destination in Oregon.

Ali shares his motivations for taking this tour and his experiences along the way. From resetting his expectations after a tough first day on his trip, enduring horrendous headwinds and dog chases, to discovering a new passion for long distance bicycle adventures.

You can read more about Ali's TransAmerica Bike Trail experience via his personal blog Follow him on Instagram - @alidasta to keep track of his future adventures.

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Biking Around Australia in World Record Time: Lesa Ashford

Sat, 15 Jul 2023 10:00:00 +0200

I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Lesa Ashford who recently set the female World Record as the fastest woman to circumnavigate Australia. Lesa set off on March 08 2023, from the Wheel in Brisbane, then connected 19 waypoints around mainland Australia with a total distance exceeding 14,000kms. 92 days, 6 hours and 33 mins later she arrived back in Brisbane, setting the official record as first female.

Lesa discusses her motivaions to set off on this challenge, and the obstacles which she had to overcome. Flooding and cyclones which damaged infrastructure and roads threatened to derail her attempt, but with a display of grit and determination, Lesa didn't give up.

It was evident that setting an official record not only takes a lot of training and dedication but also the assistance from an amazing support team and we talk about this in detail.

Check out the details of the official record Lesa set.
You can also read Lesa's account of her record breaking ride in more detail.

A special shout out to Lesa's Support Crew:
Officials: Wayne Smith, Noel Ashford, Desrae Cameron, Julie Waldron,
Michael Burns, Alexandra Beasley, Ian D'Arcy, Steven Felix, Ann Johnston,
Michelle Meredith-Herlaar, Jessie Heideman, Bruce Frazer, Jenny Frazer,
Marianne Sutherland, Cathryn McDonald, Eric McDonald, Keith Froggatt

Crew: Wayne Smith, Noel Ashford, Alexandra Beasley, Desrae Cameron,
Julie Waldron, Michael Burns, Peter Barnette, Bruce Frazer, Jenny Frazer,
Mark Pink, Cathryn McDonald, Eric McDonald, Ian D’Arcy, Steven Felix,
Ann Johnston, Michelle Meredith-Herlaar, Keith Froggatt, Dave Sutherland,
Marianne Sutherland, Jessie Heideman, Robert Heideman, Stephen
Dovey, Christopher Beasley, Samantha Parr

You can find Lesa on the following social channels:
Instagram - @NewHorizons4Lesa
Facebook Group - New Horizons 4 Lesa
Strava - Lesa Ashford

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Twitter - @BellaCycling

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Cycle all the OS Maps of Britian: Mark Wedgwood

Sat, 08 Jul 2023 10:00:00 +0200

In this episode I interview Mark Wedgwood who in 2022 took on the challenge of cycling every single Ordinance Survey Map of Britain - all 204 of them. This ride saw Mark cycle over 7000miles / 11,000kms and it would take him 6 months to complete. In doing so Mark was able to discover the very best of Britain, traversing across from coast to coast through England, Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man.

I discuss how a challenge like this came to be, and how the adventure unfolded for him.

You can read more about Mark's challenge via:
Personal Blog - Ride all the OS Maps
Instagram Account - @ridealltheosmaps

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Chris Barker: 5 Times IndiPac Wheel Race Ultra-Cycling Adventurer

Sat, 01 Jul 2023 10:00:00 +0200

In this episode I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Chris Barker a man with a truly adventurous spirit. In 1998 as a mountaineer, Chris survived a harrowing ordeal on the Tasman Glacier in the NZ Southern Alps, where he and his brother had to build a snow cave to survive, They would spend 5 days trapped in the snow cave before their subsequent rescue.

After this experience, Chris found cycling was the way he could battle best with the 'ice demons' within. He subsequently embarked on a 16,000km bicycle tour around Australia, before discovering a passion for ultra distance cycling events. He is a finisher in the Inaugural 'Race to the Rock' an off road event which ran from Adelaide to Uluru, and also has legendary status as the 'Caveman' as a 5 times participant in the Indian Pacific Wheel Race, an ultra-cycling event which traverses Australia from Perth to Sydney over a distance of over 5,500km

Follow Chris via:
Instagram - @loftyman12

You can read Chris's account of that 5 day Snow Cave Survival here.

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Bikepacking the Tour de France : Rory Mansfield & Ben Cannell

Sat, 24 Jun 2023 10:00:00 +0200

In this episode I speak with Rory Mansfield and Ben Cannell, two cyclists from the UK who are about to embark on their own cycling challenge which they have named Les Lanternes Rouges. This July they will be looking to cycle the entire Tour de France 2023 route, including the stage transfers, fully self-supported. I spoke to them about how an idea conjured up almost ten years ago, is now about to come to life. What their challenge involves, and what they are most looking forward to on their own 'lap of France'.

You can follow along with Rory and Ben's challenge via the links below:

Instagram Account - @Les_Lanternes_Rouges

Tracking and route:

https://linktr.ee/les_lanternes_rouges

To find out more about their Charity Fundraiser head to:

Props Bristol

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The Fastest Women to Cycle Across Australia: Kristina Rivers

Sat, 17 Jun 2023 10:00:00 +0200

In this episode I interview Kristina Rivers who recently set a new Guinnness World Record (currently being verified) as the fastest women to cycle across Australia - from Perth to Sydney. Kristina cycled a total of 3,970kms in 11 days, 8 hours and 6 mins, a phenomenal feat of endurance and strength. So what does it take to cycle across Australia in record breaking time? Listen to the episode to find out more about Kristina's amazing ride.

Kristina's Instagram - @kristina._rivers

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Biking From France to Australia: Roxy and Tommy on the Road

Sat, 10 Jun 2023 10:00:00 +0200

In this Episode I had the pleasure of interviewing Roxy and Tommy - a Polish/French couple - who in late April 2022 left their home in the French Alps and set off on a bicycle tour which has seen them on the road just over a year now . During their 13000km+ ride so far, they have cycled through the Balkans, Turkey, Iran and Central Asia where they stopped for a couple of winter months to do ski touring. They have now continued to Vietnam and Laos and are still riding south in the direction of Australia, their final destination.

We talked about what life on the road has been like as they traverse countries, continents mountain ranges as well as deserts on this long distance cycling trip.

I caught up with Roxy and Tommy while they were in Laos and enjoyed hearing about their adventure to date - which included some time spent off the bike during the winter in Kyrgysztan where they enjoyed some mountaineering and ski touring.

You can follow along with Roxy and Tommy's progress via the following:

Instagram - @RoxyandTommyontheRoad
Facebook - Roxy and Tommy on the Road
YouTube - Roxy and Tommy on the road
Website - www.roxyandtommyontheroad.com

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Bikepacking Every 2000m+ Mountain Pass in the Pyrenees and Alps: Max Schnell

Sat, 03 Jun 2023 10:00:00 +0200

In this episode I interview Max Schnell - a full time Bicycle Adventurer who is embarking on the Deux Mille Challenge, self supported. This challenge involves cycling the 200 paved mountain roads which climb above 2000m of elevation, across the Pyrenees and Alps. Completing this will take a phenomenal effort and Max is certainly up to the challenge, having previously cycled all three grand tours back to back in 2021 - again self supported.

So how does someone like Max do what he does, what is life like living on the road full time on a bicycle, and how did this Deux Mille Challenge come to life? Listen to the show to find out more.

To follow along with Max's progress on the Deux Mille Challenge you can check out:
Max's Instagram account - @maxschnell555

A link to the live tracker for the Deux Mille Challenge

Max's Strava

If you are enjoying the Seek Travel Ride podcast be sure to follow the show on your podcast player. If you have your own bicycle adventure you'd like to have featured on the show then get in touch via - Seek Travel Ride Podcast

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Taking on the Badlands Bikepacking Race - Liz Hughes

Sat, 27 May 2023 10:00:00 +0200

In this episode I interview Liz Hughes and her exploits on the bike. From her early days as a bike courier in London, to discovering the competitive side of the sport and entering the MTB racing scene in Australia. Liz has tried her hand at many different parts of this sport. Moving back to the UK she entered the road racing and cyclocross scene, before finally moving on to her new passion for off-road self supported ultra cycling races.

I really enjoyed my chat with Liz and discussing how the adventures she has undertaken on a bike have changed over the years. Liz now also runs her own cycle coaching business as well - where others can now benefit from her experience.

To keep up with Liz's latest adventures you can follow her on instagram - @bikepixie

To find out more about Liz's coaching services you can visit her website - Liz Hughes Cycle Coaching and Guiding

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Sat, 29 Apr 2023 13:00:00 +0200

In this episode of the Podcast I had the pleasure of interviewing Tommy Quick. In 2006, Tommy woke up in his sleep with what felt like a raging headache. Minutes later he would be unconscious. He'd suffered a stroke, but Tommy was just 12 years old. Fast forward to today, and Tommy is currently midway through a monumental ride called Four Points Australia, where he is fundraising to raise awareness for young stroke and social inclusion.

The transcript for this episode is here.

You can find out more about Tommy's ride by visiting:

4 Points Australia ride website
Track Tommy's progress on the ride via this tracking link
Tommy's YouTube Channel
Tommy's Instagram account

Discuss this episode and more over at our the Seek Travel Ride Podcast reddit community.

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Check out Old Man Mountain's new Manzanita Handlebar Cradle

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Seek Travel Ride Music Playlist available now on both Spotify or Apple Music

Fri, 27 Jan 2023 11:00:00 +0100

Seven years ago Madeline Hoffmann first learnt the identity of her biological father. Growing up in Germany in a single parent household this was something which she wondered about all her life. Now, living in Australia she got the news that not only did her father want to make contact, but that he was also Turkish.

It took a few years before Madeline made the decision she would be ready to meet him. But then the global pandemic shut the world down, meaning there were more delays. It was during this time that Madeline got the idea that she would take an epic bicycle tour all the way from her hometown in Germany to see her father in Turkey. What followed was a monumental journey of self discovery or as Madeline called it -a journey to find herself.

Crossing a total of 11 countries it would take her 4.5 months of cycling before reaching her destination - the house of her father - in Kayseri, Turkey. Madeline shares her story of that entire trip during this episode,

For more information about Madeline you can read her personal blog here:

https://thejourney2myself.travel.blog/

Follow Madeline on Instagram here:
Instagram - @iammadelinehoffmann

I’m an affiliate for a few brands I genuinely use and recommend including:

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👉 Zorali

👉 Helinox

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