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 Divi...

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 Rebecc...

Heinz Stücke returns for Part 2 where he shares the honest truths and life lessons learned from 51 years of cycling the world. Check out Part 1 of our discussion here. 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 travellingHow travelling alone opened more doors for connection and kindness...

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 ...

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 expec...

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 th...

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. Follow them on the socials - Facebook Read their blog - Matilda's Musings Donate to their fundraiser Click here to find out more about Helino...

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 I'm also shouting out fans who responded to my Instagram Question - What is your luxury item for bike travel. Check out Zorali for all your outdoor adventure needs! Support the show Buy me a coffee! I’m an affiliate for a few brands I genuinely use and reco...

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 deci...

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. Support the show Buy me a coffee! I’m an affiliate for a few brands I ge...

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 ...

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 Support the show Buy me a coffee! I’m an affiliate for a few...

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 headlin...

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 Support the show Buy me a coffee! I’m an affiliate for a few brands I genuinely use and recommend including: 👉 Zorali 👉 Helinox 👉 Ombraz 👉 CycPlus...

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 a...

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 Support the show Buy me a coffee! I’m an affiliate for a few brands I genuinely use and recommend ...

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...

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...

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...

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 Support the show Buy me a coffee and help support the show! I’m an affiliate for a few brands I genuinely use and recommend including: 👉 Helinox – Lightweight ou...