In 2010, after graduating university and trying to think of things to do that didn't involve getting a job, I decided to cycle across Europe. Yes, from one end of the continent to the other. What was I thinking?! Still not sure. But it seemed like a good idea at the time, so my friend Colin and I planned it all out and officially hit the road on May 20th, 2010, departing from Lisbon, Portugal. We sweated it out through extreme heat, torrential rains, dealt with flat tires, broken tents, being chased by rabid dogs and insufficient fuel (i.e. food). We successfully reached our final destination of Istanbul, Turkey 70 days later on July 29th, a few weeks ahead of our original estimation.
Over 6200km, passing through 15 countries, it was an incredible journey, allowed us to meet such amazing and compassionate people that helped us out along the way, and was an amazing personal challenge, testing us both physically and mentally.
We kept a fairly regular blog during the journey with plenty of entertaining updates, which can be found on the website we set up. Some pretty hilarious photos can be found on our Facebook group page, including one of a night in northern Greece when we 'slept' in an under construction concrete building after our tent broke during a massive thunderstorm.
Website: From Spokes to Slopes
Photos: Facebook group
Selected photos:
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| We made it! Bosphorous Strait in Istanbul - separates continental Europe and Asia |
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| Our route - Lisbon - Istanbul, 6220km, 15 countries, 70 days |
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| Croatia. Benefits of riding over 3000km of coastline - free (salty) showers! |
