Tag: Bikepacking

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Valentin Lazar: Cycling Africa and The Middle East Over 20,000 Kilometers

This podcast episode that will take you on a journey across continents, through adversity, and into the heart of human experience. Today we’re diving into an epic adventure that defies imagination.

Picture this: A lone cyclist, pedaling across the globe, starting in the quaint villages of Central Europe and venturing into the rugged Balkans. But that’s just the beginning. Our intrepid traveler pushes eastward, through the ancient lands of Georgia and Armenia, into the mystical realms of Iran, and across the Gulf countries.

But hold onto your handlebars, because the real heart-pounding adventure kicks off in Kenya. Imagine cycling mere meters from the Equator, your body dripping with sweat, as you navigate through a land of stark contrasts – from gut-wrenching poverty to breathtaking beauty, from perilous game reserves teeming with lions to encounters with some of the kindest souls on Earth.

From the wildlands of Africa to the roof of the world – Valentin aims to pedal on the legendary Pamir and Karakoram Highways, before seeking solace in the vibrant chaos of India. And that’s just the halfway point! Southeast Asia, Australia, and the diverse tapestry of Latin America all lie ahead on this incredible odyssey.

You might think this journey is an insurmountable challenge, a feat reserved for superhumans. But here’s the twist – our cyclist found it less daunting than expected. What secrets of human resilience and global kinship has this journey unveiled?

Tune in now to hear firsthand accounts of close encounters with wildlife, heartwarming tales of human connection, and insights that will challenge your perception of our world. This is a masterclass in human endurance, cultural understanding, and the art of embracing the unknown.

Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the world through the eyes of a global cyclist. Click play now and let the adventure begin. Your perspective on travel, humanity, and your own potential will never be the same.

Contact Valentin and follow his adventure on Instagram and Facebook here: @valentin_vagabond

To support the podcast please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

To find out more about host George Balarezo’s adventures, you can find the book Unhinged in Ethiopia: Two Thousand Kilometers of Hell and Heaven on a Bicycle at the following link- https://intrepidglobalcitizen.com/

Contact me at george@intrepidglobalcitizen.com and let me know your thoughts and feelings about the podcast or if you have a story you’d like to share.

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Joy Ride: A Bicycle Odyssey From Alaska to Argentina

Explorers Kristen and Ville Jokinen met and fell in love while scuba diving in Vietnam. Ville then left his native Finland to join Kristen in Oregon and together they embarked on a life-changing two-year cycling adventure covering 18,000 miles from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, to Ushuaia, Argentina. Despite never having cycled further than around the block, they persevered unrelenting, punishing rain and wind, altitude sickness, dog attacks, bike accidents, and countless flat tires to cycle between the ends of the earth.

Kristen and Ville believe that kindness connects us to our shared humanity. They held babies, attended quinceañeras, drank pulque, played soccer, and visited schools. People in Mexico, Central America, and South America invited them into their hearts and homes, allowed them to camp in their fields and farms, and acted as personal tour guides. Kristen and Ville are love on wheels, and who doesn’t need a little more love in their lives?

You can find their book on their website here: www.welostthemap.com

Follow them on social media here: @welostthemap

Enjoy the conversation. Be bold. Be intrepid.

To support the podcast please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

To find out more about host George Balarezo’s adventures, you can find the book Unhinged in Ethiopia: Two Thousand Kilometers of Hell and Heaven on a Bicycle at the following link- https://intrepidglobalcitizen.com/

Contact me at george@intrepidglobalcitizen.com and let me know your thoughts and feelings about the podcast or if you have a story you’d like to share. 

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Reading to Reading: 3 Years Around the World on a Bicycle with Tim Millikin

Tim embarked on a daring dream to pedal around the globe. With nothing but sheer determination and a modest budget of 6 pounds (7 USD) per day, he mounted his trusty 90-pound (110 USD) bicycle, setting off from Reading, United Kingdom, without a map and nothing more than a pocketful of hope to make it to Reading, Pennsylvania in the United States. 

In the sun-scorched Australian outback, he struggled for every precious drop of water in the relentless 110°F (40°C) heat and battled the elements that seemed determined to thwart his journey.

In the heart of Central Asia, he pitched his tent while braving frigid -15°C (0° F) temperatures that would send shivers down anyone’s spine. 

Tim’s quest was not without its trials. Prolonged hospital stays in China and El Salvador tested his physical and emotional mettle. In the midst of this incredible adventure, he faced a heart-wrenching breakup with his girlfriend after cycling together for an entire year, a poignant reminder of the sacrifices he made for his grand expedition.

For the unfiltered and exhilarating account of Tim’s extraordinary journey, his book, “Reading to Reading: A Bicycle Journey Around the World,” is a must-read. It’s a chronicle of an epic adventure, a tale of human endurance, and a testament to the power of dreams that refuse to be confined by the ordinary.


Find Tim’s book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1527273563


Follow Tim on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/cyclingoverland/


Enjoy the conversation. Be bold. Be intrepid.

To support the podcast please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

To find out more about host George Balarezo’s adventures, you can find the book Unhinged in Ethiopia: Two Thousand Kilometers of Hell and Heaven on a Bicycle at the following link- https://intrepidglobalcitizen.com/

Contact me at george@intrepidglobalcitizen.com and let me know your thoughts and feelings about the podcast or if you have a story you’d like to share. 

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Cycling the Karakorum Highway in Pakistan

In this thrilling episode, we embark on a two-wheeled expedition through one of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes – the Karakoram Highway in Pakistan. Join us as we pedal our way through this mountainous wonderland, exploring the culture, the challenges, and the sheer beauty that make this journey a must for every adventurer.

Hosted by seasoned cyclist and travel enthusiast, George Balarezo, this episode takes you on a virtual journey through the heart of the Karakoram Range. 

Our adventure begins in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, where George sets the stage for the breathtaking ride ahead. From the bustling streets of Islamabad, he cycles northward, reaching the gateway to the Karakoram Highway in the town of Abbottabad. Along the way, he shares insights on the challenges faced by cyclists, including the extreme altitude, rapidly changing weather conditions, and the sheer physical demands of cycling at high elevations.

As he pedals deeper into the Karakoram Range, the landscape transforms from lush valleys to rugged mountains, with the mighty Indus River flowing alongside. George discusses the unique culture and hospitality of the local people, providing a glimpse into the warm and welcoming communities that dot the route.

Throughout the episode, George provides practical tips for anyone considering this epic cycling journey. 

For armchair travelers and adventurous souls alike, this episode is a captivating exploration of one of the most challenging and awe-inspiring cycling routes on the planet. Join us as we embark on a virtual adventure along the Karakoram Highway, and discover why it is a true cyclist’s dream and a testament to the beauty of Pakistan’s northern frontier.


Enjoy the conversation. Be bold. Be intrepid.

To support the podcast please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

To find out more about host George Balarezo’s adventures, you can find the book Unhinged in Ethiopia: Two Thousand Kilometers of Hell and Heaven on a Bicycle at the following link- https://intrepidglobalcitizen.com/

Contact me at george@intrepidglobalcitizen.com and let me know your thoughts and feelings about the podcast or if you have a story you’d like to share. 

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Nomadic Sportsman- Juan Pablo Toro- 33 Countries, 18,500 Kilometers on a Bicycle

Juan Pablo Toro is a tennis player and adventurer who was born in Santiago de Chile. He had a normal life. Almost too normal. To defeat boredom, in December 2019 he started traveling around the world, but 4 months later the pandemic started and he had to come back to Chile, disappointed. His expectations were high for the trip, but his adventure was cut short.

In August 2021 he started traveling again, this time with a bicycle and a tent, and low expectations in order to avoid more disappointment. He ended up cycling 18,500 kilometers through 33 countries in Middle East, Africa and Europe, completing 5 different multiday hikes, and even visiting the Arctic Polar Circle.

After suffering through surgery in Armenia, he was nearly killed in a head on collision with a car in Iran two times in a sick prank, only to spend the night in the driver’s home in a perverse twist of fate. After cycling through Asia and the Middle East, he continued cycling in Kenya with the goal of meeting one of his heroes, marathon world record holder Eliud Kipchoge, and pedaled to the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa.

You can read his blog (English and Spanish available) and connect with Juan Pablo here- https://deportistanomade.com/

Enjoy the conversation. Be bold. Be intrepid.

To support the podcast please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

To find out more about host George Balarezo’s adventures, you can find the book Unhinged in Ethiopia: Two Thousand Kilometers of Hell and Heaven on a Bicycle at the following link- https://intrepidglobalcitizen.com/

Contact me at george@intrepidglobalcitizen.com and let me know your thoughts and feelings about the podcast or if you have a story you’d like to share. 

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Adam Swanson Cycles the World at Age 19

Adam Swanson is  19 years old and is 1.5 years into a world cycling tour as a gap year between high school and college. He is traveling to educate himself on the world before going to university, to grow as a person, and to grow his love for cycle touring.

He’s toured with his family all his life, ever since his dad and pregnant mom pulled him in a Burley trailer across Mexico as a baby. Since then he’s toured the US from coast to coast, Cuba, Eastern Europe and gone on some weekend trips with family and friends. Now he is doing it on his own, free and happy to continue this lifestyle.

He’s been on the road now for over a year and has cycled across 19 countries between Thailand and The Netherlands. Now he is continuing his trip Patagonia.

Enjoy the conversation. Be bold. Be intrepid.

To support the podcast please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

Find the book Unhinged in Ethiopia: Two Thousand Kilometers of Hell and Heaven on a Bicycle at the following link- https://intrepidglobalcitizen.com/

Contact me at george@intrepidglobalcitizen.com and let me know your thoughts and feelings about the podcast or if you have a story you’d like to share. 

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Argentina to Alaska by Bicycle with “North to Alaska” Author Trevor Lund

In 1999, Trevor Lund set out to fulfil a 10-year dream of cycling the length of the Americas, from southern Argentina to north Alaska. With little planning and no mobile phone and soon finding himself all alone after his companion quit, his journey was far from ordinary.  He enjoyed and endured so much that he felt compelled to write a book on his return home but self-doubt meant the book would take 19 years to complete.

Trevor still cycles and has completed many enjoyable – and not so enjoyable – cycle journeys since.  He is also attempting to write a second book!

You can find his book North to Alaska: The True Story of an Epic 16,000-mile Cycle Journey the Length of the Americas at the following link:  https://www.amazon.com/North-Alaska-000-mile-journey-Americas-ebook/dp/B0833GX9Z9/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1669725751&sr=8-1

Enjoy the conversation. Be bold. Be intrepid.

To support the podcast please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

Find the book Unhinged in Ethiopia: Two Thousand Kilometers of Hell and Heaven on a Bicycle at the following link- https://intrepidglobalcitizen.com/

Contact me at george@intrepidglobalcitizen.com and let me know your thoughts and feelings about the podcast or if you have a story you’d like to share. 

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Solidarity Rising- Benjamin and Sanna Cycle the World For Western Sahara

Sanna and Benjamin are two Swedish human rights defenders who are currently cycling 48,000 kilometers through 40 countries for two years to raise awareness about Western Sahara, Africa´s last colony. While biking up and down the equivalent of 27 Mount Everests, through the busy streets of Tokyo and Beijing, cold Georgian mountains, and the scorching Sahara in Northern Africa, they meet up with local human rights defenders to create long lasting collaborations between oppressed groups. 

 

To find out more about their mission see the links below-

Educate Yourself on Western Sahara

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Bristol to Beijing By Bicycle With Josh Day (Part 2)

I’d like to introduce you to my good friend Josh Day via a podcast conversation. Josh and I met while I was riding my bike in the Altai Mountains in Russia along a roadway that leads to the Mongolian border. We ended up hitting it off and cycled together for over one week as Josh taught me Russian, (originally from England, he learned the language by studying in his tent at night, taking classes in Kazakhstan, and listening to language learning audio while pedaling in Central Asia and Russia), provided insight into the world’s largest country through his language skills, and cooked me Russian buckwheat every evening for dinner.

Josh and I split up in Mongolia that August, as I had to go back to work in Korea, but he continued cycling through Mongolia and into Siberia during winter (while sleeping outside every evening) before taking a boat from Vladivostok (a city in the southeast part of Russia) to South Korea. After cycling for a few days in the Gangwon province of Korea, he and his bicycle appeared outside of my apartment building in Seoul in December, where he rested and refueled with kimchi stew from my neighborhood restaurant and ramen noodles from the local convenience store.
Josh has many stories to tell and our conversation lasted nearly four hours. In order to break things up a bit, our talk was split into two episodes- this is part two.
Great Wall of China
In Pyeongyang, North Korea
On a Mongolian "Highway"
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Bristol to Beijing With Josh Day- 2 Years and 25,000 Kilometers on a Bicycle-Part 1

In 2017, Josh left his front door in England on a journey of a lifetime to cycle the length of Eurasia and travel from Bristol to Beijing. 2 years and 25,000km later he arrived, having crossed the Kyzl-Kum desert, the Mongolian Steppe and the frozen wastes of Siberia. During his trip he dodged gun-toting border guards, fished out scorpions from his tent and endured nights of -27 degrees Celsius (-17 Fahrenheit), but came out the other side with a new appreciation of humankind’s generosity and a hatful of stories for the pub.

He now lives in the north of England, getting out into the hills to cycle, run and camp as often as he can, while taking a few months off a year to get out there on longer adventures. 

Josh writes at cyclingfordays.bike and is on social media @cyclingfordays.

You can support the podcast by subscribing and leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast app. 

Email me at intrepidglobalcitizen@gmail.com if you have an inspirational adventure story you’d like to record or reach out to share your thoughts and feelings about any of the episodes. 

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England to India by Bicycle in 1978- William Sp

In 1978, William Spencer, author of the book “Far Sweeter Than Honey, Searching For Meaning on a Bicycle” cycled from England to India. Along the way, he was thrown from his bicycle while trying to avoid negligent drivers, chewed shirt buttons for water in Afghanistan, and was infected with hepatitis in Pakistan. 

Despite all his setbacks he still managed to fast and write letters to friends and family every Sunday while maintaining a vegetarian diet. 

Strap on your headphones tightly and listen as William shares the wisdom only a seasoned adventurer with several decades of meditation experience can accrue. 

Find William’s book, “Far Sweeter Than Honey, Searching For Meaning on a Bicycle” at the links below.

Available as an eBook, paperback or audiobook. Find it on Amazon, iTunes, Google, and at any independent bookseller globally.

 Amazon: https://amzn.to/3377f0v

Google Play: http://bit.ly/CF_FarSweeterThanHoney



Blurb from the book-

“This is the true story of a young man’s epic 8,000 mile bicycle journey from England to India. He encounters all manner of adventure and arrives finally in mystical India, with an understanding of what it means to be free.”

Follow William at the links below.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/870373953763578

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/england_to_india_by_bicycle/

You can support the podcast by subscribing and leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast app. 

Email me at intrepidglobalcitizen@gmail.com if you have an inspirational adventure story you’d like to record or reach out to share your thoughts and feelings about any of the episodes. 

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Cycling in Bangladesh-The World’s Friendliest Country- with Fahadul Islam

Home to Guinness World records- the longest single line of moving bicycles at 1,186; and the fastest four-person, twenty four-hour, 1,670 kilometer (1,037 mile) relay, the cycling and adventure travel community in Bangladesh is thriving. In this episode, Fahadul Islam tells us about BD Cyclists, a non-profit social community that aims to promote healthy living and reduce traffic congestion and pollution by encouraging locals to get on a bike and pedal. I had the honor to stay with Fahadul and his family during my five week cycling trip in Bangladesh in 2017. It was there I learned the true meaning of friendship and hospitality. Be sure to visit Bangladesh for the adventure of a lifetime. 

To find out more about the cycling community in Bangladesh, visit BD Cyclist’s Facebook Group or contact Fahadul Islam on Facebook. 

You can support the podcast by subscribing and leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast app. 

Email me at intrepidglobalcitizen@gmail.com if you have an inspirational adventure story you’d like to record or reach out to share your thoughts and feelings about any of the episodes.