Seek Travel Ride

From 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 EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/STR Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee  Check out Old Man Mountain for the perfect way to carry gear on your bike. Support the showBuy me a coffee! 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 Seek Travel Ride Newsletter Leave me a voicemail message Seek Travel Ride Music Playlist available now on both Spotify or Apple Music

Bikepacking From China to Belgium | Xiao

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 travelsWhat it is really like to cross China by bike, region by regionRiding through Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan and camping high in the mountainsCold nights, mechanical problems, and figuring things out as you goHis time riding through Afghanistan and how that experience shifted his perspectiveWhy bikepacking often works best without a rigid planThis 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 EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/STR Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee  Check out Old Man Mountain for the perfect way to carry gear on your bike. Support the showBuy me a coffee! 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 Seek Travel Ride Newsletter Leave me a voicemail message Seek Travel Ride Music Playlist available now on both Spotify or Apple Music

Cycling 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.  EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/STR Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee  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.Support the showBuy me a coffee! 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 Seek Travel Ride Newsletter Leave me a voicemail message Seek Travel Ride Music Playlist available now on both Spotify or Apple Music

Building 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 doingHow community can be a gateway into bike adventureClaire’s journey into mountain bike instruction and coaching with empathyWhy lived experience matters when helping others build confidenceThe Bristol Rally and how it’s designed to feel welcoming and accessibleBreaking down barriers through inclusive event designRoute planning, rights of way, and riding with confidence in the UKMisadventures, muddy trails, hike-a-bike moments, and why they become the best storiesWhy you don’t need to be “fit enough” before startingAll 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 EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/STR Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee  Check out Old Man Mountain for the perfect way to carry gear on your bike. Support the showBuy me a coffee! 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 Seek Travel Ride Newsletter Leave me a voicemail message Seek Travel Ride Music Playlist available now on both Spotify or Apple Music

Three 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 aboutWhy Seek Travel Ride has always been about experiences, not gearHow experience comes after you start, not beforeWhy you don’t need to identify as a cyclist to travel by bikeChoosing your own adventure and letting go of comparisonRiding as transport and sustainabilityThe bike as a connector to people and culturesThe Seek Travel Ride community and the power of shared storiesI 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! EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/STR Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee  Support the showBuy me a coffee! 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 Seek Travel Ride Newsletter Leave me a voicemail message Seek Travel Ride Music Playlist available now on both Spotify or Apple Music