The Accidental Bicycle Tourist

In this inspiring episode, adventurer Renata Chlumska recounts her time supporting Göran Kropp’s historic, self-powered ascent of Mount Everest in 1996 and how witnessing both tragedy (the disaster Jon Krakauer chronicles in Into Thin Air ) and triumph (Göran’s successful Everest summit) shaped her lifelong dreams and philosophy. In 2006, Renata followed the perimeter of the 48 contiguous United States by bicycle and kayak. In 2014, she conquered the Seven Summits, the highest mountain peaks on each of the continents. Renata reflects on the values that guided her expeditions, including the power of preparation, resilience, and living without shortcuts. This conversation celebrates courage, love, and the drive to transform passion into purpose. As Renata says, adventure isn’t about avoiding risk; it’s about embracing life fully and discovering what you’re truly capable of. Photo credit: Kaj Bune @kaj_bune_photography For links to podcast platforms, feedback via email, the podcast website, and Instagram: https://linktr.ee/accidental_bicycle_tourist

Imagine visiting a museum to study a penny-farthing—a classic bicycle with a giant front wheel and a tiny rear one—not out of idle curiosity, but with the intent to build one yourself. Then, you decide to hop atop this contraption with no gears, solid rubber tires, and virtually no brakes and eventually take it around the world. It sounds nearly impossible, yet that is exactly what Joff Summerfield did. After designing and constructing his own custom penny-farthing, Joff departed Greenwich, England, in 2006, coming home two and a half years later. Five years after his return, he set out to do it again in the opposite direction, though that effort ended in tragedy. Joff’s mechanical ingenuity, while impressive, was nothing compared to the resourcefulness he needed on the road. His travels required constant improvisation, from overcoming dysentery in Turkey to navigating Tibet without a visa to subjecting himself to DIY dentistry in California. In this episode, Joff joins us to share the unexpected challenges, remarkable encounters, and sheer determination behind his journeys on two highly unequal wheels. You can watch Joff's daring Death Valley descent , as well as many other videos, on his YouTube channel . For links to podcast platforms, feedback via email, the podcast website, and Instagram: https://linktr.ee/accidental_bicycle_tourist

How do two novice cyclists with almost no overnight trip experience wind up pioneering the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail in 1974? For Jim Richardson and Linda Thorpe, the journey didn’t begin on a grueling mountain pass or in a velodrome. In September 1973, they crossed paths in a Weight Watchers class in Garden Grove, California. After Jim spotted a poster advertising Bikecentennial ’76 (now the Adventure Cycling Association) in a local bike shop, they decided to swap calorie-counting for a 4,252-mile journey across 11 states on a tandem bicycle. Their 93-day trek was anything but smooth. The couple folded a wheel on railroad tracks, hitchhiked with their tandem to make scheduled TV interviews, and survived mosquito swarms in Montana and Wyoming. Following a terrifying crash in Kentucky, Jim was inspired to propose, and they finally pedaled into Jamestown, Virginia, for a colonial-themed costumed wedding. Jim and Linda’s legendary test ride did more than just help map a historic route for future generations of cyclists—it proved that the road to happily ever after is best traveled on a bicycle built for two, even if it takes 120 flat tires to get there. For links to podcast platforms, feedback via email, the podcast website, and Instagram: https://linktr.ee/accidental_bicycle_tourist

What happens when you combine empty pockets, stolen bicycles, sheer determination, and a healthy dose of pure 1970s idealism? You get the parallel wild stories of riding the second half of the Hemistour expedition and organizing the landmark Bikecentennial '76! In this episode, Part 2 of 2, join June and Greg Siple as they recount the chaotic, beautiful journey of cycling the rest of the way to Ushuaia, Argentina. Then, hear Lys and Dan Burden tell how they proposed the idea of a massive, transcontinental bicycle ride to established cycling organizations, all of whom flatly rejected it. Instead of abandoning the dream, Lys and Dan built their own organization, starting from a small apartment room with an electric typewriter and a telephone. Tune in to discover how a few young dreamers on two wheels quietly laid the foundation for modern bicycle touring in the United States by organizing Bikecentennial '76 (now the Adventure Cycling Association). For links to podcast platforms, feedback via email, the podcast website, and Instagram: https://linktr.ee/accidental_bicycle_tourist

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bikecentennial ’76, this two-part series tells the extraordinary story of four bicycle pioneers – Greg and June Siple, Dan and Lys Burden – who took a circuitous path from a shared dream to successfully staging a massive bicentennial event. Ultimately, more than 4,000 cyclists would ride their newly hand-mapped, 4,200-mile Transamerica Bicycle Trail. Before Bikecentennial, the four were active members of the Columbus, Ohio, chapter of the American Youth Hostels. It was during these early years that Greg Siple and his father founded the Tour of the Scioto River Valley (TOSRV), an event that eventually grew to attract thousands of riders and established the logistical blueprint for modern, multi-day supported bicycle rides. Eager to extend their horizons, the two couples embarked in 1972 on the audacious Hemistour , a historic expedition to cycle from Alaska to Argentina. The first leg of this monumental journey earned them a feature in the May 1973 issue of National Geographic . Titled “Bikepacking Across Alaska and Canada,” the article is widely recognized for introducing what may be the earliest use of the word "bikepacking" in print. Part 1 explores the origins of the group’s ambitions, the creation of TOSRV, and their grueling months riding together on Hemistour from Anchorage, Alaska, to Salina Cruz, Mexico. Part 2 will cover their lives after the group parted ways. While the Siples pressed onward to Ushuaia, Argentina – making June Siple the first woman to bicycle the entire length of the Americas – the Burdens returned to the United States to begin the monumental work of organizing the improbable Bikecentennial ’76 (now known as the Adventure Cycling Association). For links to podcast platforms, feedback via email, the podcast website, and Instagram: https://linktr.ee/accidental_bicycle_tourist

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

Jacqui Webster and Joe McNamara are a middle-aged Australian couple who in 2023 paused their sensible careers for one year to hop on heavily laden bicycles and pedal from England to Singapore. Except things didn’t go as planned and they ended up riding across Europe and Africa instead. Prior to this episode, I got a chance to read Jacqui’s entertaining book about the journey, Two Bugs on Bikes . I laughed out loud at Joe’s genius packing strategy, which left them stranded in Rwanda with two right shoes and two right pedals, and his questionable camp-stove paella. I marveled at their accidental, highly discounted “unofficial” gorilla trek in the jungles of Uganda and their encounters with other wild animals. From spontaneously deciding to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to surviving swarms of protein-packed lake flies in Malawi to securing a glorious finish-line escort from wild ostriches, the stories that Jacqui and Joe tell contrast the gritty, exhausting physical reality of pedaling across two continents (the "sweat") with their relentlessly upbeat attitude, generosity, and genuine joy in each other's company (the "smiles"). Two Bugs on Bikes can be ordered from most bookshops or online from Amazon Australia or Dymocks . The organization where you can sponsor a teacher or support a child through school in Uganda is called Sheka Africa , a registered Australian charity. Sponsorship fees are fully tax deductible in Australia. Another organization mentioned was Overflow Mission Zimba , Zambia. Jacqui and Joe's routes can be found in their Komoot collections. For links to podcast platforms, feedback via email, the podcast website, and Instagram: https://linktr.ee/accidental_bicycle_tourist

Dervla Murphy has long fascinated host Gabriel Aldaz, who years ago had picked up her first and most famous book, Full Tilt. The intrepid travel writer from Ireland died in 2022 at the age of 90, but Gabriel has remained curious to learn more about her. For this experimental episode, he goes into his laboratory and produces an AI-assisted retrospective on Dervla’s fascinating life. Dervla did not merely traverse the globe; she sought to understand humanity through a lens of radical vulnerability. Having stayed at home in Lismore to care for her invalid mother for nearly two decades, Dervla famously cycled full tilt from Dunkirk, France to India in 1963 on a single-speed bike, first during a brutal European winter and then over the Himalayas – while packing a .25 caliber pistol to fend off hungry wolves, highway thieves, and even a male assailant. Later, she trekked across remote landscapes with her young daughter Rachel, embracing their defenselessness as a necessary bridge to authentic human connection. Her later books reflected her deep immersion in conflict zones, from Northern Ireland at the height of the Troubles to Rwanda in the aftermath of the genocide. Dervla’s legacy includes a body of work – more than 20 books primarily about travels by bicycle, on foot, or atop beasts of burden – that serves as a testament to her resilience and her commitment to recording authentic, day-to-day interactions across diverse cultures. For links to podcast platforms, feedback via email, the podcast website, and Instagram: https://linktr.ee/accidental_bicycle_tourist

Israel or Palestine? Damascus, Syria or Damascus, Virginia? West Virginia or Western Virginia? To David Landis, all are points on a map. David has made it his mission to find shared humanity across borders, even in conflict zones like the Middle East, through hiking and bikepacking trails. Having first visited the Middle East for a semester abroad during his university studies, David returned there to live for almost a decade. During his travels in the region, David experienced the incredible kindness of people he met, with several becoming lifelong friends. He’s also felt the sorrow of having some of those friends or their relatives killed in violent episodes that continue throughout the Middle East. As someone who has tried long-distance hiking, bicycle touring, and bikepacking racing (surviving waist-deep snow and concrete-like "death mud" on the grueling Tour Divide), David has come to the conclusion that, somehow, it’s all about the people and building trails that connect them. David has an account on Instagram . His Urfa-Urbil bikepacking trip is catalogued in this story map . David’s Camino de Santiago guidebooks are published by Village to Village Press and his trails are developed through V2V Trails . You can watch the movie about the Elk Rut Ramble on YouTube . For links to podcast platforms, feedback via email, the podcast website, and Instagram: https://linktr.ee/accidental_bicycle_tourist

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the vast array of choices when selecting a bicycle for touring or bikepacking, this episode offers essential guidance. In this lively discussion with Manuel Schürholz, co-founder of Bombtrack Bicycle Company, we systematically break down the confusing world of touring and bikepacking setups. You will gain valuable insights into choosing the right frame material, with a detailed look at why steel often remains the top choice for overall durability and remote repairability. The conversation explores critical components, including the practical benefits of tubeless tires, 1x versus 2x gearing options, and the undeniable importance of a proper professional bike fit for long-distance comfort. Plus, stick around to hear Manuel’s unbelievable origin story, from being a spectacularly unsuccessful mountain bike racer, to getting a stress-induced “ear attack” while managing German hip-hop artists, to accidentally creating an iconic bicycle brand. By the end of the episode, we hope that you’ll have gained a clearer understanding of the bicycle selection process and will be inspired to piece together your ideal setup. For links to podcast platforms, feedback via email, the podcast website, and Instagram: https://linktr.ee/accidental_bicycle_tourist

At age 70, most people are perfectly happy to take up golf or knitting. Not Canadian Tom Perlmutter. After accidentally agreeing to a weeklong cycling trip in Patagonia because his friend essentially dared him, Tom found himself hopelessly addicted to long-distance bicycle touring. In this episode, hear how Tom went from having zero cycling experience to conquering entire continents on supported tours, including riding the length of Africa and crossing Asia along the Silk Road. Listen as he battles unyielding gravel in Namibia, rogue RVs in Arizona, and the dizzying altitudes of the Altiplano and the Pamir Highway. Bouncing back from any mishap, Tom is rewarded with memorable connections and discovering the meditative beauty of seeing the world from the saddle. If you think you’re past the perfect age to start an epic two-wheeled adventure, this episode is your ultimate inspiration! Tom's Substack page is called The Continental Cyclist. For links to podcast platforms, feedback via email, the podcast website, and Instagram: https://linktr.ee/accidental_bicycle_tourist

In this laugh-out-loud episode, discover how New York City native Judi Desire went from sending a mass guilt-trip email asking for help to learn how ride a bike all the way to solo touring on six continents. Listen in as she recounts her chaotic method of bicycle travel, which intentionally leaves much up to chance. From completing the Camino de Santiago after hearing about it at a wedding in Spain to nearly getting deported from Mauritius for having zero plans and instead becoming a local celebrity, Judi makes the most of every opportunity. Rather than preparing for a visit to a new country, Judi’s approach is, “I’ll let the people teach me.” And it is the people she meets, from firefighters in Brazil to tour guides in Cuba, that enrich her trips, giving her tips on accommodations and teaching her new cycling skills. It’s an inspiring journey that leads back to New York City, where Judi now runs the Uptown and Boogie Healthy Project, a nonprofit that increases access to fresh, nutritious food and bicycle education in Harlem and The Bronx. Judi's nonprofit is called Uptown Boogie and Healthy Project . Judi’s Mappy Hour talk is available on YouTube. For links to podcast platforms, feedback via email, the podcast website, and Instagram: https://linktr.ee/accidental_bicycle_tourist

Fifty-one is the number of years that Heinz Stücke spent on a bicycle away from home. Fittingly, Episode 51 provides the finale to the Heinz Stücke saga, where more keywords are pulled from the Christmas cookie tin. Heinz recounts how he stumbled his way into an audience with Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie, accidentally fired a gun in a crowded Zambian bar, charmed his way into a Saudi Arabian visa by procuring a fake airplane ticket, then smuggled his bike into the country on a confused donkey. Through it all, Heinz kept painstaking statistics, writing 18,000 pages of diaries and practically tracking every cup of coffee he consumed since 1962. Tune in to hear this whirlwind tour of obsession, survival, and the art of getting out of trouble with sheer audacity. From having his bicycle stolen and recovered six times to being woken up in a ditch by a friendly dog, “The Man Who Wanted to See It All" has compiled an unrivaled dictionary of bicycle adventure from A to Z – minus the word “regret.” For links to podcast platforms, feedback via email, the podcast website, and Instagram: https://linktr.ee/accidental_bicycle_tourist

What do you do if you absolutely, positively do not want to work as a toolmaker with a wife and 2.4 kids in post-World War II Germany? If you’re Heinz Stücke, you simply get on your bike and don’t come home for fifty-one years. In this landmark episode of The Accidental Bicycle Tourist , your host Gabriel Aldaz treks through a snowy German winter to find the man who cycled 648,000 kilometers across 196 countries—only to discover that the residents of his hometown aren’t entirely sure if he’s still alive. Entering Heinz’s home is like stepping into a travel-themed archive, packed with enough maps, photos, and artifacts to make visitors believe that they have entered the Museum of Heinz Stücke. To inspire the legendary traveler, Gabriel has brought along a surprise: a Christmas cookie tin filled with 500 scraps of paper. What follows is a whirlwind tour through the memory of a legend. Heinz recounts sneaking into the 1970 World Cup as a professional photographer and flying over Montserrat a year after a volcanic eruption buried its capital, Plymouth. From hiking to the world’s tallest waterfalls to witnessing the "crunchy" charm of fried tarantulas in Cambodia, Heinz proves that a life well-pedaled is never boring. Tune in to part 1 of a hilarious, awe-inspiring 2-part journey through five decades of life on two wheels. For links to podcast platforms, feedback via email, the podcast website, and Instagram: https://linktr.ee/accidental_bicycle_tourist

In the Season 3 premiere, you’ll meet Antonella Giacomini, an Italian mountaineer and adventurer who has been called the Queen of the Ice because she loves to traverse glaciers in remote corners of the world. A woman accustomed to skiing while pulling a sled across ice fields, Antonella recounts how she accidentally got into bike touring while trying to reach a glacier in Patagonia with her expedition gear. She has come to love the concept of bicycle touring, visiting countries like Italy, Costa Rica, and Canada on two wheels. Regardless of her mode of transportation, Antonella has learned valuable lessons, such as how to survive a four-day snowstorm that wrecks your tent. Or how to enter Argentina illegally three times but always manage to get out. From shattering the cruel myth that biking from northern to southern Italy is "all downhill" to performing sacred rituals to scale unclimbed peaks in Mozambique. Antonella’s wild stories offer proof that to experience life fully, you should travel, travel, travel. For links to podcast platforms, feedback via email, the podcast website, and Instagram: https://linktr.ee/accidental_bicycle_tourist

It’s time to celebrate another memorable season of the podcast! During the 2025 Holiday Special, Sandra and Gabriel reveal the top three episodes of the past season (as chosen by the listeners) and check in with each guest to hear the latest from their busy lives. Topics discussed include the 2025 Silk Road Mountain Race, a movie called Planetwalker, the graffiti on the roads of the Tour de France, and how to stay relevant after retirement from professional cycling. Sandra and Gabriel also get updates from several other guests from the past season who are still out on the roads of South America, Africa, and have even found their way to a couple of distant islands. Listen in as well to get a preview of guests and topics that will be featured in Season 3. (Yes, there will be a Season 3!) The films that were discussed in this episode are Planetwalker and Feeding the Rat . We also talked about Tuft Camps and FKT Challenges . For links to podcast platforms, feedback via email, the podcast website, and Instagram: https://linktr.ee/accidental_bicycle_tourist

On this episode, you’ve got a front-row seat to one of the wildest rides of the year. Follow the story of Ana Carmen Navajas as she evolves from an innocent 14-year-old who brought along a water pistol and a pile of CDs on her first group overnighter to a hardened road warrior. A critical moment in Ana’s adult life came when, while living in England, she rehomed a naughty, energetic dog named Dexter. Together, Ana and Dexter took on increasingly challenging bicycle tours, accumulating new friends and extraordinary adventures at every turn. You’ll hear how a wheel falling off Dexter’s trailer in England’s Lake District led Ana to meet a British couple who later wrote a song about the incident. Then, a year ago, Ana and Dexter sold everything to chase her dream of riding for a year from Europe along the Silk Road to Xi’an. In Muslim-majority countries, Ana faced immense scrutiny as a woman traveling with a dog. Nowhere was this more apparent than in Afghanistan, where the pair survived a Taliban raid and Dexter had a gun pointed directly at him. Outpedaling every obstacle in their path, Ana and Dexter have proven the power of optimism and perseverance in the quest to fulfill a dream. You can follow Ana on Instagram . You can listen to Stuart and Sarah Brierley’s song on Youtube . For links to podcast platforms, feedback via email, the podcast website, and Instagram: https://linktr.ee/accidental_bicycle_tourist

Ever dream of telling your boss, "I'll be back in six months... or a year," and pedaling off into the sunrise? Mike Vermeulen didn't just do this once; he made a habit out of it. Join us for a wild ride as Mike explains his genius strategy: work for five years, then take a personal leave of absence – or quit if necessary – to cycle across a continent. From flying over the handlebars of a brake-less 10-speed on his first overnighter heading for the tip of Cape Cod to accomplishing the incredible feat of cycling across six continents, Mike has seen it all. He’s mostly gone solo but has also found riding partners on “companions wanted” forums and joined three classic Tour d’Afrique (now TDA Global) supported rides, including the last section of the inaugural Silk Route adventure. Tune in to discover how this compiler engineer hacked the code to optimize his work and bicycling careers, accidentally creating a masterclass in work/ride balance! For links to podcast platforms, feedback via email, the podcast website, and Instagram: https://linktr.ee/accidental_bicycle_tourist