The story of the adventure that changed my life - Part #1 - London to Dover
A $4 Tier Patreon Exclusive Video
In 2014, a 23 year old troubled and restless version of myself decided to up sticks and embark on a truly ambitious journey across Europe on a shitty Halfords bike. Over the next few weeks I'll be telling the story of that life changing trip, starting with the calamitous day 1 in which I almost got myself killed on the M20 just outside Dover.
*As per usual I forgot to mention one key thing in the intro, so here it is: The reason I chose Budapest as a final destination was that not only was it roughly the right amount of challenge, but there were a number of large and wonderful cities along the way where I could reward myself for my hard work with a good dose of fun.
I also didn't really have time to trim this one down so it's probably a tad long.
The next episode will cover Calais, Bruges, Amsterdam, Utrecht, Dusseldorf, Cologne and everything in between!
The story of the adventure that changed my life - Part #1 - London to Dover (YouTube)
Comments (41)
I can't believe I have never seen this series before. I lived in ashford for 10 years and cycled round here for years, I know these roads and hills well to dover. That was a crazy route, well done for doing that with no cycling experience, no equipment. It shows pure determination.
Such a treat! I was born in Dover and spent most of my childhood taking those ferry’s across to Calais (I now live in the US). I can’t believe how you even attempted to cycle on the A20. I’m so glad you survived. That must have been absolutely terrifying!
haha no way i basically live next door to that bike shop in Camberwell
This is so great Tom. It's fantastic that you still had the route and even some footage; really makes it!
You’re insane man! I recently biked from Hualien to Taitung, Taiwan. Three days of hellish rain and wind! I feel your pain.
Living in Folkestone, it's really cool to see all the places you went through. Also, the Castle Inn is indeed closed. I think covid had something to do with it although I'm not entirely sure. Great video!
Upped my pledge to 4 Dollars to watch this, really enjoyable so far.
shit I've noticed I've been a bit isolated lately with wfh and just redownloaded miniclip pool the other day, bit of a wake up call hearing your story
This is fantastic! You are a master story teller. I love that you still have those same headphones 😅 can't wait to watch more!
This is great mate. I live and cycle around Dover and those hills out of Folkestone are a killer.
As for your man at the Castle…he was one of the journos involved in the phone hacking scandal! He was confronted by Hugh Grant at one point. (He stinks of old garlic and records every conversation he has). I think the Castle has survived even though the area around it has been redeveloped.
My jaw dropped and stayed that way for a few minutes when you switched to street view to show that little sliver of road you had to ride on on the “A” 20 😲😲😲
Great Video - came to patreon for the straight line challanges a day early... staying for the bonus content!
Very much enjoyed this! I would love if you did the same thing for the follow-up videos :) I also love seeing the archived young Tom footage!
Inspirational stuff man. The bit at the beginning, about being so directionless, afraid to confront the gaping hole I don’t know how to fill yet, and then when night comes round you’re inevitably left alone with the negative thoughts and emotions.. I’ve never heard it articulated by another man before. Thanks for being so honest. You’re a fucking lunatic going on that motorway though
Thanks Arben. The good news is that there is a cure for those negative thoughts and emotions. The worst part for me was not knowing that. We're all different of course, but I think that giving yourself an epic challenge, one that is just on the cusp of being doable, and then going out there and doing it, is in my experience the best cure. I'll talk about it more in the coming episodes.
I feel like this is a story that is really important for you to tell, important for both the viewers and for yourself. Everything in this episode was great! Honestly if you find any more detail to go into I'd say go for it, you're definitely not boring us.
Alternative title: Brit didn't know Dover has cliffs -- almost dies
I’m from Dartford so it’s cool to see you briefly going through it
Always impressed with your storytelling ability. Can't wait for the next episode to drop.
Great story so far mate, excited to hear more!
Love this! I really want to do something like this myself. Can’t wait for the next vid
Really enjoying your story videos so far mate. This one especially. Watched it last night. I didn't expect it, but it kinda inspired me to get off my couch and get things DONE. Would love to do a solo adventure like that myself this summer. It low key scares me to go on an adventure by myself though. Always been a guy that loves the share experiences and have good company around me. Now that I think of it, that could make for an interesting video topic. The pros and cons of travelling alone. Would be good to hear your perspective on that. Anyway, much love, and keep wizardin' 💛
Enjoying this so much. That guy that helped you out with your puncture under the overpass - what a lovely person - brought a tear to my eye. That mistaken turn that led you far out of your way down the narrow berm of that highway... ughhh... squirm fest.
Enjoyed the start of this story, interested in hearing more 👍🏼
This is really great content - makes me wish I'd done something similar in my early-mid-20s. Feels much harder to fit this kind of thing in in mid-30s with all the tedium of adult existence. Great that you had the foresight to capture even some of it on camera. Looking forward to the next episode!
If anything I'd want the videos to be longer. Spare us no detail! If all goes to plan I'll be embarking on a solo van trip across the States next year, so for now this is something vicarious for me to watch and absorb all the little bits of trekking advice that I can... though my travels will probably be a little less treacherous.
Around the 7 minute mark, that first picture, I don't get why we are looking at David De Gea while you talk about your journey... :)
Great video and story telling, looking forward to the rest of the series! Listening and watching all your great trips fills me with joy and really inspires me. Having only been interrailing in the EU (In which I loved), you make me really want to take a break from the stress of my 9-5 job and go on an adventure!
Great watch and story telling. Just keep going as you was in this video mate. Funny as fuck 😂
Great vid, i don't mind the length!
Those directions made me laugh so hard hahah. Trip sounds incredible though! Loving it so far.
Wow I would not even dream of going on such an adventure, let alone by myself! I really admire and respect you for that. I really am enjoying the stories and love it when you show pictures and use Google maps, it makes it more immersive. Can’t wait for the rest😊 where you ever in a situation where you thought:" oh man I’m really out of my depth here, I don’t know what to do"? And how did you get your mind to think rationally to get yourself out of the situation without anyone's help? I am really interested in your thought process during that trip🙊 Also, did you meet any memorable people like you did in Europe?
Thanks Eva! both questions will be answered in the coming episodes!
Very interesting story already, and not even out of the UK yet! Looking forward to the next. Past-Tom gave me definite early Slow-Mo Guys vibes!
Amazing stuff Tom, really interesting and very enjoyable to watch! I was wondering: were you already tracking your route with a GPS system, or did you backtrack at a later stage?
backtracked at a later stage, in the case of the London to Dover route, just the other day!
Oh wow, you have some balls to do this trip the way you did. I see some parallels with the navigation on that faithful day in Wales III, haha! But then again, if everything went to plan this story probably wouldn't exists.
Great vid, good laughs as always!
Having tried to navigate around the Lake District using similarly crap written directions, strangely enough around the same time and age as this (born '89) I couldn't help but laugh at remembering that disaster.
Yeah basically you miss one turning and you're fucked. Much better to write down a list of towns or villages you plan to cycle through or near, and follow signs (and ask for directions if you're really stuck)