Seek Travel Ride
Bella Molloy
<p>Seek Travel Ride shares the stories and experiences of people who have undertaken amazing adventures on a bicycle. From crossing state borders on a bikepacking trip, or mountain ranges during an ultra cycling race, through to traversing countries or continents on a transformative bicycle tour; through our guest interviews we seek to share that spirit of adventuring on two wheels with our listeners.</p>
- 1 hour 27 minutesShe Loaded Her Viola Da Gamba Onto Her Bike and Rode 4,500km | Sarah Small
What would it look like to tour a concert by bicycle?
In this episode, I’m joined by musician Sarah Small, a viola da gamba player who chose to cycle between performances rather than travel by train or plane.
Between May and July, Sarah rode across the UK with her instrument on the bike, playing concerts in village halls, churches, community spaces, and remote locations. Her route took her along coastlines, across islands, and as far north as the Hebridean Way and the Shetland Islands, bringing live music to places that rarely host performances.
We talk about the realities of cycle touring a concert, the challenges of carrying a fragile instrument by bike, and the generosity Sarah experienced when she arrived under her own steam. We also explore topics such sustainable travel, taking music to people rather than the other way around, and how taking a bike adventure can give you that hit of self confidence you didn't realise you needed.
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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Seek Travel Ride Music Playlist available now on both Spotify or Apple Music7 March 2026, 6:00 am - 26 minutes 45 secondsCycling Scotland to China via the Silk Road | Helen Watson
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
Old Man Mountain
Big thanks to Old Man Mountain for supporting this episode of Seek Travel Ride.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
I’m an affiliate for a few brands I genuinely use and recommend including:
👉 Zorali
👉 Helinox
👉 Ombraz
👉 CycPlus– ePumps (enter code STR for 5% off!)
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Seek Travel Ride Music Playlist available now on both Spotify or Apple Music3 March 2026, 6:00 am - 1 hour 44 minutesCycling Vietnam to the UK: A Year on the Road | Matt Whitley
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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Seek Travel Ride Music Playlist available now on both Spotify or Apple Music28 February 2026, 6:00 am - 35 minutes 12 secondsBikepacking the South Island of New Zealand | Rebecca Gross
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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👉 Zorali
👉 Helinox
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Seek Travel Ride Music Playlist available now on both Spotify or Apple Music24 February 2026, 6:00 am - 1 hour 42 minutesUltra Cycling with Lotti Power: Racing, Training and Life Beyond the Start Line
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
I’m an affiliate for a few brands I genuinely use and recommend including:
👉 Zorali
👉 Helinox
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- Instagram - @SeekTravelRide
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Seek Travel Ride Music Playlist available now on both Spotify or Apple Music21 February 2026, 6:00 am - 39 minutes 43 secondsFrom Delhi to the Himalayas by Bike. Annapurna, Altitude and a Broken Collarbone |Olly Hargreaves
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
I’m an affiliate for a few brands I genuinely use and recommend including:
👉 Zorali
👉 Helinox
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- Instagram - @SeekTravelRide
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Seek Travel Ride Music Playlist available now on both Spotify or Apple Music17 February 2026, 6:00 am - 1 hour 36 minutesBikepacking From China to Belgium, Fulfilling a 10 Year Dream
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
I’m an affiliate for a few brands I genuinely use and recommend including:
👉 Zorali
👉 Helinox
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👉 CycPlus– ePumps (enter code STR for 5% off!)
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- Instagram - @SeekTravelRide
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Seek Travel Ride Music Playlist available now on both Spotify or Apple Music14 February 2026, 6:00 am - 31 minutes 54 secondsCycling A Thousand Places to See Before You Die | Brian Sampson
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.
Old Man Mountain
Big thanks to Old Man Mountain for supporting this episode of Seek Travel Ride.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
I’m an affiliate for a few brands I genuinely use and recommend including:
👉 Zorali
👉 Helinox
👉 Ombraz
👉 CycPlus– ePumps (enter code STR for 5% off!)
Follow us on Social Media!
- Instagram - @SeekTravelRide
- Facebook - Seek Travel Ride
- YouTube - @SeekTravelRide
Leave me a voicemail message
Seek Travel Ride Music Playlist available now on both Spotify or Apple Music10 February 2026, 6:00 am - 1 hour 33 minutesBuilding Inclusive Bike Adventure Communities and the Bristol Rally | Claire Sharpe
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
I’m an affiliate for a few brands I genuinely use and recommend including:
👉 Zorali
👉 Helinox
👉 Ombraz
👉 CycPlus– ePumps (enter code STR for 5% off!)
Follow us on Social Media!
- Instagram - @SeekTravelRide
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Seek Travel Ride Music Playlist available now on both Spotify or Apple Music7 February 2026, 6:00 am - 25 minutes 14 secondsThree Years of Seek Travel Ride. Bike Adventures and the Best Places to Travel by Bike
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!
I’m an affiliate for a few brands I genuinely use and recommend including:
👉 Zorali
👉 Helinox
👉 Ombraz
👉 CycPlus– ePumps (enter code STR for 5% off!)
Follow us on Social Media!
- Instagram - @SeekTravelRide
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- YouTube - @SeekTravelRide
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Seek Travel Ride Music Playlist available now on both Spotify or Apple Music3 February 2026, 6:00 am - 1 hour 30 minutesMark Beaumont on Wanderlust, Bike Travel and the Places In Between
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.
I’m an affiliate for a few brands I genuinely use and recommend including:
👉 Zorali
👉 Helinox
👉 Ombraz
👉 CycPlus– ePumps (enter code STR for 5% off!)
Follow us on Social Media!
- Instagram - @SeekTravelRide
- Facebook - Seek Travel Ride
- YouTube - @SeekTravelRide
Leave me a voicemail message
Seek Travel Ride Music Playlist available now on both Spotify or Apple Music31 January 2026, 6:00 am - More Episodes? Get the App