Imagine cycling from the UK to Australia - via Everest Basecamp no less - in 1984! Guest Phill Hargreaves shares his incredible cycling journey from the UK to Australia and back during the mid-1980s. Phill's early adventures started when he was about 11 or 12 years old and he joined his local cycle touring club. Each weekend would be filled with short touring trips around the UK and so he quickly discovered a passion for bike travel - one that would take him to the other side of the world as well as being the first to ride a bike all the way from the UK to Everest Base Camp.

This cycle tour began in 1984, when Phil, joined by two friends, left the UK bound for Australia.  What followed was a true adventure. From crossing through what was at that time 'the Iron Curtain' of eastern Europe, dealing with bike failures, and then the unexpected events such as one of the trio 'disappearing' while riding out of Istanbul, Turkey, what struck me the most was this was a very different era of travel and a time where true 'adventure' could be had each and every day. 

Phill's recounting of his story also touches upon differences in travel experiences over the decades, as ever what shiens through is the impactful hospitality of locals, as well as poignant reflections on the philosophies that guided his adventure. This episode is part one of a two-part series detailing Phill's extraordinary travels.

I have also featured an episode with Phill's son Jamie Hargreaves who is currently tracing the route which Phill took over 40 years ago. You can listen to the episode with Jamie here.

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