What happens when you trade the comfort of a predictable life for an open-ended ride across the globe? You might just find yourself eating a whole lotta plov. In this episode, guest Tom Bruce recounts his journey pedaling across Europe, the Stans, China, and the United States with little more than basic gear and a healthy dose of curiosity. While navigating sweltering deserts, topping high-altitude mountain passes, and overcoming language barriers, Tom discovered a beautiful truth: when you allow yourself to be vulnerable, the world steps up with incredible warmth. From Romanian farmers sharing sausages and homemade wine to well-meaning Tajik hosts clearing away his dinner just to cook him yet another fresh batch of plov, this conversation is a reminder of our shared humanity. Now a physics teacher, an author of six books about his bicycling adventures, and a bikepacking event organizer, Tom reflects on his round-the-world journey as a life-changing event, a testament to the power of letting go of rigid plans, trusting the kindness of strangers, and discovering that the world is far more generous than we are often led to believe.

Tom's books, including his best-selling Every Inch of the Way: My Bike Ride
Around the World, are available on Amazon.

For links to podcast platforms, feedback via email, the podcast website, and Instagram:
https://linktr.ee/accidental_bicycle_tourist

Have you ever hitchhiked with a sack of pigs, used cheap construction goggles as rain visors, or slept in a room where an unknown mammal with really big eyes watched you from the ceiling? With a unique mix of grit and humor, Laura Killingbeck explores how thousands of miles on a bicycle helped her rebuild a vibrant identity from the ashes of her past. In fact, Laura’s life is a tutorial in the art of the "shapeshift." When the weight of a toxic career or a high-control community became too heavy, Laura pedaled toward freedom. From an impulsive loop of Iceland to conquering the Great Divide, Laura’s journeys prove that walking away from everything is sometimes the only way to rediscover yourself. Whether you’re looking for the courage to quit your job, no longer want to lead a fear-based life, or just need tips on out-pedaling your past, Laura’s story will inspire you to embrace the mystery of transformation. Life is much more fulfilling when you find your own path!

You can follow Laura on Instagram and subscribe to her newsletter on her website.

She will be riding the Choose the Bear Tour in Michigan between May and July 2026.

For links to podcast platforms, feedback via email, the podcast website, and Instagram:
https://linktr.ee/accidental_bicycle_tourist

Who needs a spoon when you have a wrench? Who needs a whole paddle when you have two blades and a firm, sturdy stick? Welcome to Roman Dial’s world. In this action-packed episode, the legendary Alaskan adventurer recounts some of the harrowing tales that led to the birth of "hellbiking" in the 1980s and eventual worldwide recognition for this type of travel in a 1997 issue of National Geographic. We dive into his pioneering multi-sport journeys in the unforgiving Alaskan wilderness, his transition into a Stanford PhD studying predator-prey interactions in rainforest canopies, and his obsession with ultra-lightweight gear. Whether he’s big-tree climbing or inventing the fat bike’s prehistoric ancestors, Roman is a versatile explorer who has been at the forefront of several outdoor movements. Tune in and prepare to feel both thoroughly inspired and incredibly lazy.

You can view photos from Roman's expeditions on his Instagram.

You can watch Arctic Alchemy on YouTube.

For links to podcast platforms, feedback via email, the podcast website, and Instagram:
https://linktr.ee/accidental_bicycle_tourist