World Tour
On the final day of March 2019 we set off from Telford, Shropshire to circumnavigate the World on our bicycles. We planned to cycle 24,000 miles and cross more than 30 different countries.
5 Years and 1 global pandemic later we returned to the Arc de Triomphe, Paris on the 26th May 2024 to complete our circumnivation of the world by bicycle.
The stories below document our journey around the world. You can also find our route and stats here.
Well… we did it. After more than five years, two phases, a pandemic detour, one elopement, and about 24,000 miles cycled—we rolled into Paris.
The scale of what we’ve accomplished is starting to sink in. We got on a bike in England. We cycled to the start point, Paris. Then, we went east for 22,000 miles.
Country number 32, Spain. We crossed the border to Spain just three days ago. Spain is the last new country of the trip. After this, we go back to France to complete our circumnavigation.
Being back in Europe is just incredible. It just feels like *home* which is not what I expected from Portugal.
Our holiday in Rio De Janeiro came to an end. We ordered a mini bus for three people, two bike boxes, and three large luggage bags.
Our route through Portugal was very short as we needed to head east to pick up our antipodal point just to the west of Madrid.
For crime, muggings and pickpockets. If you ask us, it’s a shame! It’s hard to shake off that feeling when you’re constantly reading that you need to look out for it.
Gorgeous, gorgeous sun on Saturday all day long. Saturday was the first time we’d seen the world famous beach, Copacabana with a blue sky, and oh wow, didn’t it make a difference.
Rio De Janeiro marks 22,079.14 miles by bike and a major milestone reached.
Our route through Brazil was really tough, huge climbs everyday and unbearable humidity. Brazil ended up being one of, if not the hardest country of the entire journey.
On this day, about a week ago, we’d booked accommodation 58 miles away. We knew there was a steep, steep climb, but it was within the first four miles, and over in two, so how hard could it be. Well, it turns out, very bloody hard.
You might’ve noticed that we’ve not logged into socials much since we left Argentina. Well, there’s a reason for that: Brazil is kicking our butts!!
On this day, one year ago, we stepped off a plane from the UK and landed in Ho Chi Minh. With the inclusion of the first phase, we’ve been cycling around the world, while working, for TWO years.
Our route through Argentina took us from the top of the Andes, down through the vast deserts and out into the flat lands which at the time were the hottest place on earth.
As soon as we crossed the province border we saw a hard shoulder, and thank goodness for it. Finally, we could get ourselves off the road and tucked into the side. Everything felt better.
It started off so well. We cycled 50 miles like it was nothing. There was no headwind; finally a break from pushing a wind for basically ten days straight.
We’re way off the beaten track now. So much so that when we arrived in Resistencia, and our 100th AirBnB, our hosts asked us how we ended up there.
Many people travel 5194km along route 40, travelling the length of Argentina. Rightfully, you just can’t ignore the 4040 on route. 😋 Although not really a milestone for us, we couldn’t resist a picture at the iconic sign.
I lost our wallet. Again. If you’ve been following since Malaysia you’ll know I lost our wallet once already.
A visual representation of how we’re doing. And some photos of the landscapes. Argentina has changed.
The best thing about a cycle tour? Not knowing where you will end up or what you will find on route.
We organised our Christchurch, New Zealand wedding elopement in two days and were married within four weeks of talking about it. Here's everything we learned so you can do the same.
I’m sure I’ve only ever heard people warn me about the midday sun. Forget the midday sun, it’s that 4pm sun that gets ya.