The full route: we left London on 8 January 2014 and, five years and 47,000 km later, finished cycling around the world — across 30 countries.
Cycling, wild camping, cooking our own food, sleeping under the stars, and taken in by strangers and by friends from Warmshowers and Couchsurfing all over the world. There was never a fixed route — visas, terrain and a toss of a coin decided where we pedalled next.
Scroll to ride the route. The map travels with you, leg by leg.
5 countries · 11 stories · 5 photos
3 countries · 6 stories · 16 photos
6 photos
4 photos
7 photos
€3.16 per person, per day. I open the whole budget — where every euro went and how we slept almost for free — in a dossier you can download.
Mainly because Ilze didn't want to be stuck behind my back all day, ha. Two bikes have their pros and cons, but for us it was the right call.
Not by bike. You can take a flight or try to find a boat (as far as I know there are no commercial routes). In winter it's possible to cross on foot over the ice, but not pedalling.
No, I use maps.me: an app with OpenStreetMap data that lets you download whole countries or regions and use them on your phone with no internet.
In terms of borders, the easiest is Thailand–China–Russia (you can go through Mongolia, which gives a free month's visa). The Central Asia alternative means more bureaucracy and paying for visas. Always confirm the current conditions, they change often.
You're living my dream.
Go, live your dream!
hi pablo I'm mohamad .im from in iran. sarakhs. hayper market.I hope to be happy and healthy. I wish to see you again. In Spain.
Sounds like an awesome expedition! Will love to follow your travels. All the best!
Thanks! ;-)
dear Pablo and Ilze, I really enjoyed to discover your page :) I´m planning to travel around the world next year and your page is not only a source of good information but also a great place to know more about the insights of such adventure :) keep on going and enjoy your trip PedroL
Hey Pedro, I ran across your site, keep up the good work. If you are in the States and happen to be in Colorado, you have a place to stay! Cheers! Dave
Thank you Dave! ;)
Hello there Hope you are well. let me know if you are planning to travel through Kazakhstan. Azerbaijan is also an exellent place to visit then you can catch the ferry from Baku to Aktau which is where i am living and working. would be happy to share a meal and a drink with you. Good luck. Iain
Thank you Iain, We don't know which route we will take yet. We are in Armenia, soon in Iran, and we will probably cycle through Central Asia. It is quite likely that we will go to Kazakhstan, but not through Aktau. Thanks for writing and for the offer anyways!
Hi. Came across your website while looking at cycling trips. Keep going and good luck with the trip! If i was 20 years younger and had the ball i would of loved to do something like this. I will continue to follow your trip and wish you all the best.
Thank you!
Hi, My dear Pablo I meet you in iran sarakhs city I hope see you at the future I will see your map traveling around the world happy traveling sincerelly yours gholam ali
Your are sooo cool, guys! I'd love to see you again! Hello from Kyrgyzstan! :)
I planned similar trip but in shorter period of time, like 2 months maybe.. But I wonder, How can you do camping around the Europe? I heard that it is illegal,, Is it still possible to do camp?
Hello Fredo, Camping is not illegal in all of Europe, only in a few countries. In most countries it is legal or tolerated to spend the night, meaning that if you arrive at night and leave in the early morning it is legal. And, even in those countries where it is ilegal, it is usually tolerated as long as you don't bother anybody. Anyways, it is possible to camp almost anywhere, you just need to hide and leave everything as clean as it was when you arrived.
Hey guys... Just came across your website..wow..I have rode across Canada and look back at those times so fondly..but to cycle in some of those countries and see the wonders you have seen..WOW..you are really living a dream..I'm sure it is a balancing act between being open to the kindness and experiences of others and trusting your gut about danger. But man..what a life you are are living...was following a couple that cycled across Canada for Crowns..don't know you go back to a life of routine after that.. Be safe! Chris/Canada
hey guys, how are you? :) Hope everything is fine with you :) Cheers from Georgia :)
Hello Irakli! How is everything going on? We are currently in Malaysia, about to cross to Indonesia to cycle through Sumatra, Java, Bali... All good! Hugs!
dear Pablo and Ilze, Very glad to see you guys still keep going.....is you pass by Indonesia,Jakarta you are welcome to stay at my place to share the happiness of your riding.I try to follow your step in coming 2 years to travel at europe.Hope you can share your experience and route of course.God bless you both......
Sveiki! :) Wanted to ask about your experience getting a visa for Iran and neighboring countries? I also have a Latvian passport, so any insight would be appreciated. Regards, Renārs