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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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

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

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.

Support the show

Buy me a coffee and help support the show!

Sign up to the Seek Travel Ride Newsletter

Follow us on Social Media!
Instagram - @SeekTravelRide
Website: Seek Travel Ride
Facebook - Seek Travel Ride

Leave me a voicemail message

Seek Travel Ride Music Playlist available now on both Spotify or Apple Music

Thank you to RedShift Sports for supporting the show! - Check them out here

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

Support the show

Buy me a coffee and help support the show!

Sign up to the Seek Travel Ride Newsletter

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Instagram - @SeekTravelRide
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Seek Travel Ride Music Playlist available now on both Spotify or Apple Music

Thank you to RedShift Sports for supporting the show! - Check them out here

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. 

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

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.

Support the show

Buy me a coffee and help support the show!

Sign up to the Seek Travel Ride Newsletter

Follow us on Social Media!
Instagram - @SeekTravelRide
Website: Seek Travel Ride
Facebook - Seek Travel Ride

Leave me a voicemail message

Seek Travel Ride Music Playlist available now on both Spotify or Apple Music

Thank you to RedShift Sports for supporting the show! - Check them out here

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

Support the show

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Sign up to the Seek Travel Ride Newsletter

Follow us on Social Media!
Instagram - @SeekTravelRide
Website: Seek Travel Ride
Facebook - Seek Travel Ride

Leave me a voicemail message

Seek Travel Ride Music Playlist available now on both Spotify or Apple Music

Thank you to RedShift Sports for supporting the show! - Check them out here

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

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

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.

Support the show

Buy me a coffee and help support the show!

Sign up to the Seek Travel Ride Newsletter

Follow us on Social Media!
Instagram - @SeekTravelRide
Website: Seek Travel Ride
Facebook - Seek Travel Ride

Leave me a voicemail message

Seek Travel Ride Music Playlist available now on both Spotify or Apple Music

Thank you to RedShift Sports for supporting the show! - Check them out here

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
Start and Finish in Toulouse
Hotel stays every night and all meals catered for
Supported by two ride leaders - one of them is me!
Total cost €1550 per person twin share
Places are limited! Don't miss out -  book your spot now

Support the show

Buy me a coffee and help support the show!

Sign up to the Seek Travel Ride Newsletter

Follow us on Social Media!
Instagram - @SeekTravelRide
Website: Seek Travel Ride
Facebook - Seek Travel Ride

Leave me a voicemail message

Seek Travel Ride Music Playlist available now on both Spotify or Apple Music

Thank you to RedShift Sports for supporting the show! - Check them out here

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 

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

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.

Support the show

Buy me a coffee and help support the show!

Sign up to the Seek Travel Ride Newsletter

Follow us on Social Media!
Instagram - @SeekTravelRide
Website: Seek Travel Ride
Facebook - Seek Travel Ride

Leave me a voicemail message

Seek Travel Ride Music Playlist available now on both Spotify or Apple Music

Thank you to RedShift Sports for supporting the show! - Check them out here

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!
Join me for a 6 night - 5 day tour through the Pyrenees Foothills.
Dates - June 28 - July 04
Start and Finish: Toulouse
Find Out more and Book Your Spot Here

Support the show

Buy me a coffee and help support the show!

Sign up to the Seek Travel Ride Newsletter

Follow us on Social Media!
Instagram - @SeekTravelRide
Website: Seek Travel Ride
Facebook - Seek Travel Ride

Leave me a voicemail message

Seek Travel Ride Music Playlist available now on both Spotify or Apple Music

Thank you to RedShift Sports for supporting the show! - Check them out here

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

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

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.

Support the show

Buy me a coffee and help support the show!

Sign up to the Seek Travel Ride Newsletter

Follow us on Social Media!
Instagram - @SeekTravelRide
Website: Seek Travel Ride
Facebook - Seek Travel Ride

Leave me a voicemail message

Seek Travel Ride Music Playlist available now on both Spotify or Apple Music

Thank you to RedShift Sports for supporting the show! - Check them out here

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

Support the show

Buy me a coffee and help support the show!

Sign up to the Seek Travel Ride Newsletter

Follow us on Social Media!
Instagram - @SeekTravelRide
Website: Seek Travel Ride
Facebook - Seek Travel Ride

Leave me a voicemail message

Seek Travel Ride Music Playlist available now on both Spotify or Apple Music

Thank you to RedShift Sports for supporting the show! - Check them out here