Phil Eastley North Devon

Story
As an Army Engineer Commando Veteran, I have always kept fit and in 2022 discovered bike-packing. I cycled from John O Groats to Lands End (JOGLE) in June of that year riding 1000 miles in just under 2 weeks and raising £2500.00 for Team Endeavour, a wheelchair rugby charity.Since JOGLE, I have had many bike-touring adventures, some weekly, some shorter and some just overnight. However, I have never undertaken a multi-month journey before, but now is the time! It seems like a rite of passage for a bike tourist, whether it's crossing a country or a continent.I want to do it while I physically still can. I am fit enough, and I have the time and space to focus on a bike trip at the moment. It just feels like the time is right. It's time to leap into the abyss. I know the abyss is frightening and it's easy to put dreams and adventures on hold because of fear of the unknown. But fear can make you stay where you are and prevent you from venturing out into the unknown to become better.Plus, being comfortable is, well, comfortable. Who doesn't like feeling comfortable? I do like a basic level of comfort, like food and shelter, but too much "kills my drive". Those aren't my words, I read them somewhere, but they are meaningful enough for me to remember because they are so true.Bike touring can be uncomfortable in so many ways; bad weather, busy traffic, hard terrain, sleeping on rough ground, the list goes on... But I've "roughed it" before, and biked, kayaked and hiked and had many memorable adventures. Now bike touring around Europe is my goal. Bike touring gives you a unique opportunity to interact with people, landscapes and cultures in a way impossible from inside a vehicle. Happy Cycling!