Abdullah Zeinab’s epic Rhino Run adventure crossing South Africa and Namibia redefines what’s possible in endurance cycling. Unsupported and unforgiving, this grueling 1,700-mile ultra-cycling race put his mental strength, grit and resilience to the ultimate test through breathtaking but brutal landscapes – where a tiny detail, like a tiny screw, made a world of difference.

This special feed drop episode is taken from Red Bull’s podcast How To Be Superhuman. If you like this episode, you’re going to love the full series.

How To Be Superhuman is about pushing the limits of human potential, from conquering terrifying climbs and kayaking down jaw-dropping waterfalls to swimming the world’s longest rivers, running through uncharted mountain kingdoms, and embarking on solo expeditions to the most remote corners of the globe. In each episode, host Rob Pope and the athlete dive into the physical and mental resilience behind these awe-inspiring feats, offering immersive storytelling and insights into overcoming the world’s greatest challenges. 

Check it out, where you listen to podcasts! 

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

redbull.com

Follow Abdullah on Instagram

Head to instagram.com/redbulladventure for more superhuman content

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“Those are my heroes, those guys paved the way for me to be able to travel through this country, free, and they're almost superhuman to me.”  

      - Erick Cedeño, Bicycle Nomad

In 2013, Erick Cedeño, aka. Bicycle Nomad, came across an old photograph that changed his life. Taken in 1897, it showed 20 black soldiers riding bicycles across the American West. As he dug deeper, he learned that these were the Buffalo Soldiers, an all-black infantry regiment formed after the civil war. The photo was taken during a grueling 1,900-mile journey, in which they traveled by bike from Montana to Missouri in order to test the efficacy of the bicycle as a form of military transport. To this day, it is one of the most difficult bike trips ever undertaken.

As a black man, growing up in America, Erick had never seen people that looked like him riding bikes. It changed his life, and he knew he had to bring their story back to life. But he did it not by telling it, but by living it - pedaling every mile that they did, sleeping where they slept, eating where they ate, taking the hard roads where modern paved highways do not go. And in doing so he invites us to live it too.

“Curiosity drives me. It fuels my insatiable desire to know what’s beyond the next bend of the road, to discover what’s there beyond the edges of the map. If it is my muscles that propel me forward physically, it is curiosity that propels me mentally.”

FIND ERICK CEDEÑO

Follow all Erick’s adventures at iambicyclenomad.com, Instagram: @bicycle_nomad, and Facebook:@bicyclenomad

SOCIAL

If you enjoy this show, please take a minute to leave a review, it makes a huge difference and enables us to keep brining these stories to you. Remember also to subscribe to the podcast wherever you're listening, follow @armchairexplorerpodcast on Instagram and Facebook, check out Armchair Explorer's website, and learn more about our network partner, APT Podcast Studios, on their website.

CREDITS

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions. Find our other shows at armchair-productions.com. Jenny Allison wrote and produced this episode, along with host and producer Aaron Millar. Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Theme music written by the artist Sweet Chap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At the start of every month, host Aaron Millar and producer Jason Paton preview what’s coming up on Armchair Explorer, play their favorite clips, and reveal the stories they’re most excited to share.

A cross between a highlight reel, an interview, and two people telling travel tales down the pub, our Pathways episodes are your guide to choosing your adventures with us.

February episodes:

ADVENTURE: Long Rider Filipe Masetti takes us on a two-and-a-half-year journey riding his horse from Canada, where he emigrated, to his home in Brazil. Making friends with the cartel, hiding out from gun shots, becoming a local hero, and finding the love of his life. @filipemasetti

RED BULL RHINO RUN: We’ve partnered with Red Bull’s How to be a Superhuman podcast to bring you the first episode of their new series. In it, we follow extreme endurance rider Abdullah Zeinab on the Rhino Run, a 1,700-mile bike packing race across South Africa and Namibia, one of the hardest rides in the world. Check out the full series, it’s awesome: How to be a Superhuman.

IMMERSION: Producer Jason Paton and presenter Brian Thacker get unwittingly drafted into the Union Army for A civil war re-enactment in front of thousands of people. They survive hours of marching drills, musket firing lessons and a spooky stay in the old hospital. Part of our Travel South Dakota Stories series.

JOURNEY: To celebrate Black History Month, we’re bringing back one of our all-time favorite episodes. Eric Cedeño, aka the Bicycle Nomad, rides 1,900-miles from Montana to Missouri to recreate a journey taken by the 1897 all-black infantry unit known as the ‘Buffalo Soldiers’. @bicycle_nomad

***

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe on whatever podcast player you’re reading this on right now. Go on, do it. It means you get to choose what episodes you listen to, rather than the algorithm guess (wrongly) and kick us off your feed. 

Reviewing the show helps other people discover it and helps us continue to produce it. If you like episode, please consider a quick review on your favorite podcast platform. You don’t have to write anything just click those five (hopefully) stars!

Following the show on socials will definitely maybe bring you good travel karma!

Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Armchair Explorer is produced by Armchair Productions. Aaron Millar and Jason Paton presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Our theme music is by the artist Sweet Chap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we dive into the soul of Ontario’s wild, tranquil landscapes alongside award-winning travel writer and photographer Alex Robinson. 

From serene canoe journeys gliding through Algonquin Provincial Park to exhilarating white-water escapades on the Madawaska River, this journey is an invitation to immerse yourself in the pristine waterways of the Canadian wilderness, and discover the heritage of its first form of transport. 

Episode Highlights:

Paddle through Algonquin Provincial Park where stunning birch and maple forests offer a perfect sanctuary from urban life.

Discover the Sacred Tradition of the Canoe, from its deep-rooted significance to Indigenous peoples to its pivotal role in shaping Canada’s cultural identity.

Feel the Thrill of White-Water Canoeing, navigating the fierce currents and swirling rapids of the Madawaska River.

Connect to Nature as Alex’s evocative storytelling immerses you in the sounds and spirit of the Canadian wilderness.

How You Can Do This Trip

Alex’s canoeing adventure in Ontario is an experience you can have too. For more details on how to plan your own journey, drop Aaron a line on instagram or via the website. You can also check out Travel.DestinationCanada.com for more ideas.

Connect with Alex

Follow Alex on Instagram to check out his award-winning photography, including shots of this trip: @alexrobinsonphotography 

JRNY Magazine

This story was inspired by an article Alex wrote for JRNY Magazine. Find more of their content at jrnymag.com 

Connect with Us

Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Website: armchair-explorer.com

Support the Show:

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate and review the show. It helps others discover Armchair Explorer and lets us continue to share more of these incredible stories with you!

Credits:

Armchair Explorer is produced by Armchair Productions. Aaron Millar is the writer and presenter, with audio editing and sound design by Charles Tyrie. Our theme music is by Sweet Chap. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

St. Patrick might be the most famous of the Irish saints...but he's far from the most interesting.

In 2023, St. Brigid’s Day was decreed a National Holiday in Ireland to honor Brigid. Over the millennia, this legendary woman has evolved into a figure encompassing myth, holy legend, pagan icon, and now modern feminist symbol.

But who was Brigid, really? To answer that question, travel writer Nicola Brady set off around Ireland to see how she’s celebrated, and she found that there’s not one simple answer. Because, as with everything in Ireland, you never know quite what’s around the corner.

Listen for a story that takes you into forests and through time, from the windswept hills of Downpatrick to ancient cathedrals of Kildare. And you just might encounter some fire dancers, divine poetry, and even a miniature Batman on a bicycle...

Thank you to everyone who featured in this episode:

Also, much of the music you’ve heard in this episode was recorded live in St. Brigid’s Cathedral. Thank you to Hot Press for helping with the recording and thanks to all the performers from that evening as well. And a big thanks to Paula O’Brien of Brigid 1500 for helping us onsite. The show was hosted by Nicola Brady, and you can find her work at NicolaBrady.com.

And if you want to learn more about booking your own trip to experience the sights and attractions featured in this episode, go to Ireland.com or follow along on social media @Tourism Ireland.

SOCIAL

Share the show with your friends! Subscribe to the podcast wherever you're listening, follow @armchairexplorerpodcast on Instagram and Facebook, and check out Armchair Explorer's website, armchair-explorer.com.

CREDITS

This show was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Jason Paton recorded, mixed, and sound designed the show. Charles Tyrie helped with the editing. Jenny Allison and Aaron Millar produced it. Nicola Brady hosted and wrote it. Thanks so much.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Bucket List episode, Aaron Millar takes us to one of the most remote and breathtaking locations on Earth: Sheldon Chalet in Alaska. Perched on a rocky outcrop in the middle of the Ruth Glacier, 70-miles from civilization, with views of the east face of Denali out of your bedroom window, this is perhaps the most spectacular hotel in the world.

From helicopter rides over frozen wilderness to exploring untouched ice caves deep within the glacier itself, this episode will take deep  into the heart Alaska and show you one the wildest parts of the planet.

Highlights from the Episode:

Follow Us: 

Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Newsletter: armchair-explorer.com

CONNECT WITH US

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe on whatever podcast player you’re reading this on right now. It helps us grow the show and share these incredible stories with more adventurers like you.

Sheldon Chalet

Check out some of the amazing photos of Sheldon Chalet

Instagram: @SheldonChalet

Credits:

Armchair Explorer is produced by Armchair Productions. Aaron Millar wrote and presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Our theme music is by the artist Sweet Chap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before the modern city of Alula rose to prominence, its natural springs and water systems were at the heart of its existence. For centuries, Alula's oasis has been a critical stop on the Incense Road, connecting cultures and trading routes across the Arabian Peninsula. Water, both from the sky and the earth, has sustained life here, and its management has shaped both the landscape and the people.

In this episode, we step back in time and explore the ancient wells, oases, and water systems that have supported Alula for millennia. We’ll see how the inhabitants of this region once relied on camels and complex water systems to survive in the desert, and witness a reenactment that celebrates the founding of the ancient city of Tayma. Along the way, we’ll discover how Alula’s connection to water continues to influence its art, culture, and life today.

Recorded on location in immersive surround sound, this episode transports you directly to the heart of Alula, where history, nature, and culture come together in perfect harmony.

Thank you to everyone who featured in this episode:

PLAN YOUR ALULA TRIP: 

Our On Location episodes are designed so that you can experience everything you hear. Check out the links above, or find out more at ExperienceAlula.com

FOLLOW ARMCHAIR EXPLORER: 

Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Website: armchair-explorer.com

Follow us on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode. Review us, and you’ll be blessed with good travel karma.



CREDITS

This series was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry.

Aaron Millar wrote and hosted the series. Jason Paton did the field recording and produced the show, along with Aaron Millar. Find our other shows at armchair-productions.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before the bustling streets of Chattanooga and the sounds of modern life, the blues were born from the struggles and stories of generations past. Deep in the heart of this city in Tennessee, the blues pulse through the air, enriching the soil, and infusing every corner of this musical mecca.

In this episode, we take you to the roots of this powerful genre, bringing you a live session with Rick Rushing, one of Chattanooga's finest blues musicians. Recorded in the intimate setting of a hotel room at the Moxie Chattanooga, Rick shares his journey, his family’s musical legacy, and the timeless energy of the blues.

But it’s more than just music. It’s a celebration of history, culture, and connection—where the blues go beyond the notes, touching on healing, struggle, and the power of shared experiences.

Recorded on location with immersive sound, this episode brings you close to the music and the spirit of the place, as Rick reflects on his personal story, the history of blues in Chattanooga, and the universal soul of this American art form.

A special thanks to Rick Rushing for joining us on this episode.

PLAN YOUR TENNESSEE MUSIC JOURNEY

Discover more about the musical heritage of Chattanooga and the state of Tennessee at Tennessee Music Pathways. Plan your own trip to experience these stories and sounds in person.

FOLLOW THE TENNESSEE MUSIC PATHWAYS

Instagram: https://instagram.com/tnvacation

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tnvacation                                                               YouTube: https://youtube.com/tnvacation

Newsletter: tnmusicpathways.com

CREDITS

This series was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry.

Aaron Millar wrote and hosted the series, with Jason Patton engineering and producing. Check out our other shows at armchair-explorer.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we journey into the wild, rugged landscapes of Iceland through the eyes of renowned photographer and filmmaker, Chris Burkard. From an unplanned surfing adventure under the Northern Lights to his grueling exploration of Iceland's remote "Forgotten Coast," Chris takes us on a path of discovery and inspiration.

We explore the vast beauty of Iceland—from icy fjords and glacial rivers to volcanic black sand beaches—and reflect on the transformative power of nature. Get ready for a deep dive into the heart of exploration, where nature's raw forces meet the human spirit of adventure.

Highlights from the Episode:

Watch Chris' Latest Film: The Forgotten Coast

The Forgotten Coast captures the raw beauty of Iceland’s most isolated coastline. A journey full of unexpected moments and incredible landscapes. Watch it now at ChrisBurkard.com and check out Chris’ Instagram @chrisburkard for his stunning photography and more.

Follow Us:

Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Newsletter: armchair-explorer.com

CONNECT WITH US:

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe on whatever podcast player you’re reading this on right now. Go on, do it! It means you get to choose what episodes you listen to, rather than let the algorithm guess (wrongly) and miss out on our weekly content.

Armchair Explorer is produced by Armchair Productions. Aaron Millar wrote and presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Our theme music is by the artist Sweet Chap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At the start of every month, host Aaron Millar and producer Jason Paton preview what’s coming up on Armchair Explorer, play their favorite clips, and reveal the stories they’re most excited to share.

A cross between a highlight reel, an interview, and two people telling travel tales down the pub, our Pathways episodes are your guide to choosing your adventures with us.

October episodes:

ADVENTURE: Adventure filmmaker Chris Burkard takes us surfing in the Northern Lights, and bike-rafting along Iceland’s 300-mile Forgotten Coast.

PERFORMANCE: We head to Chattanooga, Tennessee - one of the original homes of The Blues -for a hotel room jam, and interview, with local Blues legend Rick Rushing.

IMMERSION: Hear the alternative story of the Oregon Trail, told On Location in Eastern Oregon by an elder of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla. We Will Never Fade is the title, and spirit, of this rarely told history of the West.

BUCKET LIST: Host Aaron Millar tells us about the most spectacular place he’s ever stayed. Sheldon Chalet is perched on a nunatak in the middle of the Ruth Glacier, looking out to the eastern face of Denali, and the Alaskan Range.

JOURNEY: Travel writer Alex Robinson takes us on a canoe journey through the lakes and rivers of Ontario, Canada, and discovers a deep connection to nature and the thrill of white-water canoeing.

IMMERSION: Discover the story of the female St Patrick, in an immersive On Location journey across Ireland. St Brigid’s story was buried for over a millennia, but now it’s discovered, it’s set to take on Patrick, and his worldwide famous day.

***

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe on whatever podcast player you’re reading this on right now. Go on, do it. It means you get to choose what episodes you listen to, rather than the algorithm guess (wrongly) and kick us off your feed.

Reviewing the show helps other people discover it and helps us continue to produce it. If you like episode, please consider a quick review on your favorite podcast platform. You don’t have to write anything just click those five (hopefully) stars!

Following the show on socials will definitely maybe bring you good travel karma!

Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Armchair Explorer is produced by Armchair Productions. Aaron Millar and Jason Paton presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Our theme music is by the artist Sweet Chap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices