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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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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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 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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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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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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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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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/

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

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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Check out Old Man Mountain for the perfect way to carry gear on your bike.

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Buy me a coffee!

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