Greetings! Bike travelers and bike packers, welcome toanother episode of Chainwheel Diaries.

Stories about bike travel, told by the travelers themselves.I’m your host, Brian Berlin.

Today’s guest survived an encounter with a wallaby during abike adventure, but both he and the wallaby were able to ride, and hop away from the incident.

His name is Mark Farrugia, from Victoria, Australia, andhe’s ridden extensively throughout the continent. He offers great insights on his favorite bikepacking routes, and he’s sold me on wanting to ride some of these.

Mark is also a photographer and takes great pride in thelighting and composition of his bike adventure photos. He’s captured stunning images of Australian landscapes armed only with his mobile phone.

Mark’s love for bikepacking in Australia comes through loudand clear. I guarantee you’ll want to hop on a plane and join him on future rides, wallabies or no.

And if you’re enjoying this video, please click thesubscribe button. Subscribers really help me grow the podcast and also let me know you find the content to be relevant.

With that, let’s meet Mark Farrugia!

Bike travelers and bike packers are very familiar with theacronym EFI. What does it stand for? You’ll soon find out.

EFI originated with an epic bike ride from Cairo, Egypt, toCape Town, Africa. The whole continent, from one end to the other. This epic bike ride had never been attempted before and was entered into the Guinness Book.

And the man who created that bike tour and founded TDA Global Cycling is today’s Guest – Henry Gold.

Henry has led an extraordinary life. Here are just a few ofhis bona fides.

• He led a successful NGO in Ethiopia called CPAR(Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief) to promote foodsecurity, health, sanitation, agriculture, water, and reforestation
• He’s a documentarian, having produced documentary films including 'Burden on the Land' (DEMO reel) and AIDS in Africa, which was the first in-depthdocumentary on the AIDS crisis in Africa.
• He has crossed sixcontinents by bicycle

Previous guests on this podcast have raved about TDA GlobalCycling tours. So I wanted to meet the man behind TDA and have him on the show so you can hear his stories as well.

Now, let’s meet Henry Gold.

Greetings, bike travelers and bikepackers, welcome to another episode of Chainwheel Diaries, stories about bike travel, told by the travelers themselves.

I’m your host, Brian Berlin.

Today’s guest is Stephen Growden, a retired high schoolsocial studies teacher who has ridden dozens of organized bike tours.

Stephen has chosen different tour types and tour providersto match the type of adventure he’s seeking. If you’re contemplating joining a bike tour and you’re wondering about the options, you’ll want to tune into this episode.  

Quick reminder: Chainwheel Diaries is available on Spotifyand Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.

So, Thanks for tuning in, wherever you are, and if you’reenjoying this podcast, please be sure to Like and Subscribe.

Now, let’s meet Stephen Growden.

Links to the products & services mentioned in this episode:

https://www.vbt.com/

https://www.backroads.com/

https://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/adventure-cycling-route-network/southern-tier/

https://www.adventurecycling.org/guided-tours/van-supported-tours/transam-express-westward-van/

https://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/adventure-cycling-route-network/pacific-coast/

https://tdaglobalcycling.com/orient-express

https://bikepacking.com/bikes/lael-wilcox-around-the-world-bike/

https://cascade.org/rides-events/rsvp-2026

https://cascade.org/rides-events/seattle-portland-2026

https://www.adventurecycling.org/about-us/history/

https://www.vbt.com/destinations/europe/italy/lake-como-bike-tour-in-the-lake-district

Like most people, I don’t like spiders. I’m not terrified ofthem, but I don’t like them.

My guest today, Andre Batista, had a spiderexperience while riding his bike. Seems Andre’s spider wanted a ride, but Andre wasn’t having any of it.

This story is just one of many as Andre recounts his manybikepacking adventures. His stories are humorous, educational, and inspiring.

Quick reminder: Chainwheel Diaries is available on Spotifyand Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts. The podcast is also available in video.

So, Thanks for tuning in, wherever you are, and please besure to Like and Subscribe.

Now, let’s meet Andre Batista.

Links to various products, articles, and videos mentioned during the episode.

https://superiorbikes.com/us-en/

https://dotwatcher.cc/results/2025/tour-divide-2025

https://www.tuff.ventures/mtuff/info

https://www.indianpacificwheelrace.com/

Warmshowers.org

https://www.southaustraliantrails.com/trails/mawson-trail/

https://racearoundpoland.pl/

https://bikepacking.com/routes/tahoe-twirl/

https://www.italydivide.it/

https://northcape4000.com/

https://www.lostdot.cc/tcr

https://tourdivide.org/about_the_route

https://europeandividetrail.com/

https://bikepacking.com/routes/stagecoach-400-bikepacking-route/

https://www.komoot.com/collection/1070173/european-divide-trail-7-600-km-across-the-continent?utm_campaign=collection_embed&utm_medium=embed&utm_source=europeandividetrail.com

https://bikepackingreviews.com/posts/bikepacking-vs-bike-touring

https://bikepacking.com/plan/expedition-vs-racing/

https://www.instagram.com/andre___bat/

https://youtu.be/-3OFJxyADXQ?si=C6PCvMIHor53xPDR

https://youtu.be/kBsTvFPTRiI?si=5tDiYQfWkLMutkQX

https://youtu.be/0eDDES4xgCU?si=ZBnJ0nKCgTYfkq_1

https://youtu.be/kBsTvFPTRiI?si=0tuymuy2M91LVovS

I’m kicking off the 2026 season with a compilation of someof my best interviews from past episodes.

I reviewed these past episodes and realized there are somereally great bike travel stories being told. I picked out some of my favorites and edited them into what I’m calling my Best of Chainwheel Diaries podcast.

I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I have.

Thanks for tuning in, and please subscribe wherever you getyour podcasts.

Coming up, Best of Chainwheel Dairies, 2026

Hola bike travelers and bike packers, welcome to anotherepisode of the Chainwheel Diaries, stories about bike travel told by the travelers themselves.

I’m your host, Brian Berlin, coming to you from the PalosVerdes Peninsula, home to some of the best bicycling scenery and climbs in Southern California.

And by the way, Happy New Year and welcome to 2026! May it be a year of fulfillment and happiness for you and yours.

Today’s guest is Chris Compton, who has been a frequentguest and is joining me today as we relive our epic Katy Trail Ride last July.

If you’re not familiar with the Katy Trail, it's the longest continuous rail trail in the U.S. measuring 237 miles from Clinton to Machens, Missouri.

Chris and I rode from Clinton to St. Charles in time for thefourth of July celebrations on the riverfront, but we started the ride in our own adventurous way. We met lots of great people and I was fortunate to have visits from my Missouri relatives.

So have a seat at the coffee bar, sit back and enjoy theepisode.

Katy Trail adventure, coming up next!

The latest episode of the Chainwheel Diaries podcast features an interview with Gregg Beytin, an experienced bike adventurer who runs a Meetup group for bicyclers who want to experience bike camping on weekend overnight rides. 

Gregg also has extensive experience with bike travel, the evolution of touring styles, and the community aspects of bike camping groups. The discussion covers Gregg's personal history, equipment choices, the dynamics of group rides, and the challenges and joys of bike touring both in the U.S. and Europe.

Chainwheel Diaries is available on Spotify, Apple, Audible or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you like the podcast, please say so!

"You don't stop riding your bike because you get old. You get old because you stop riding your bike." 

That's Ken Francis, my guest on this episode of Chainwheel Diaries. Not only has Ken been bike touring since he was 13, but he's also a Warmshowers host for over 13 years, hosting more than 326 guests at his Long Beach home, often welcoming cyclists from diverse routes such as the Pacific Coast and Route 66. He values the reciprocal hospitality culture, sharing stories of hosting multiple visits from German cyclists and connecting with hosts in Europe, including Brussels and Amsterdam. Ken's hosting enriches both guests and hosts by fostering community and cultural exchange, and he also served on the Warm Showers board for five years. His experience as both a host and guest demonstrates the supportive network available to touring cyclists worldwide.

Ken recounts numerous adventures, including cross-country rides in 1985 and 1986 that were transformative personal growth experiences. One notable story involves enduring hypothermia in Death Valley during an unexpected snowstorm, where he and a friend huddled in a sleeping bag roadside, highlighting the unpredictable challenges of bike touring. Another touching moment was when a stranger in Yellowstone gave him $20 with words of encouragement, reinforcing his belief in human kindness and inspiring him to continue solo after his companions dropped out. Ken emphasizes that despite hardships like headwinds, mechanical failures, or weather, his determination always sees him through.

You'll enjoy hearing from Ken about his bike travels and his engaging manner. Enjoy the episode!

Chainwheel Diaries is available on Spotify, Apple, Audible or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you like the podcast, please say so!

Geoff Morgan, living just north of London and still employed full-time, started bike touring about five years ago, inspired by Simon Doughty's "Long Distance Cyclist Handbook" and encouraged by Covid lockdown circumstances. His initial tours began with simple weekend trips using an old tent found in his shed, gradually evolving into longer and more ambitious rides across the UK and France. Geoff emphasizes the accessibility of bike touring in his region despite some logistical challenges such as train travel restrictions with bikes.

Geoff describes several favorite rides, including the Outer Hebrides' Hebridean Way, known for stunning scenery and strong winds, and the Coast and Castles route along the northeast coast of England into Scotland, featuring historic castles and coastal paths. He also recounts a two-week bike tour in France along the D-Day beaches, praising the region's bike infrastructure and commemorative sites. His rides often involve a mix of paved roads, bike lanes, and grass paths, requiring adaptability and physical endurance.

Chainwheel Diaries is available on Spotify, Apple, Audible or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you like the podcast, please say so!