GravityGremlin
Well-known member
As I wheeled my bike off the ferry in Roscoff, northwest France, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions - excitement and trepidation. My wife Lizzy and I were about to embark on an epic journey, cycling from Cornwall to Cape St Vincent in Portugal with surfboards strapped to our trailers, unaware of what lay ahead.
The plan was ambitious - 1,900 miles over three months, following the old roads and forgotten paths that our surfing forefathers had traveled. The idea was to experience the kind of freedom and adventure that came with traveling by bike, unencumbered by the necessities of campervan life.
As we set off, the bumpy lanes outside Roscoff gave way to smooth tarmac, following the course of a muddy river. We cruised along easily, our trailers rumbling happily behind us. Despite daily rain showers, I loved being self-sufficient and outside all day. When we finally found some good waves at Seignosse, hitting them was all the more satisfying.
However, Spain's notorious hills took its toll on me. The 5-mile slog up Jaizkibel mountain in the rain and fog was a daunting climb that left me wet, cold, and exhausted - but elated nonetheless. My legs had been tuned up after the climb, and I was starting to relish this life-affirming trip.
We surfed at Mundaka, Peniche, and Ericeira; mended multiple punctures; pitched our tent 67 times; climbed another 20,000 metres; and completed two legs of the Camino de Santiago. Arriving in Praza do Obradoiro, the main square in Santiago de Compostela old town, was a highlight.
In the end, it was about finding joy in the journey - not just the destination. I may not be as fit as I was in my 20s, but the thrill of adventure remains the same. As I reflect on our epic journey, I'm reminded that sometimes it's the imperfections and setbacks that make life more meaningful.
Our journey from Cornwall to Portugal will go down in history as one of the most adventurous and unlikely cycling trips ever attempted - with surfboards strapped to trailers, no less! It was a testament to my wife Lizzy and me's determination and love for the ocean. The Way of the Waves, Martin Dorey's book about our adventure, is published by Bloomsbury Sport on September 11th.
The plan was ambitious - 1,900 miles over three months, following the old roads and forgotten paths that our surfing forefathers had traveled. The idea was to experience the kind of freedom and adventure that came with traveling by bike, unencumbered by the necessities of campervan life.
As we set off, the bumpy lanes outside Roscoff gave way to smooth tarmac, following the course of a muddy river. We cruised along easily, our trailers rumbling happily behind us. Despite daily rain showers, I loved being self-sufficient and outside all day. When we finally found some good waves at Seignosse, hitting them was all the more satisfying.
However, Spain's notorious hills took its toll on me. The 5-mile slog up Jaizkibel mountain in the rain and fog was a daunting climb that left me wet, cold, and exhausted - but elated nonetheless. My legs had been tuned up after the climb, and I was starting to relish this life-affirming trip.
We surfed at Mundaka, Peniche, and Ericeira; mended multiple punctures; pitched our tent 67 times; climbed another 20,000 metres; and completed two legs of the Camino de Santiago. Arriving in Praza do Obradoiro, the main square in Santiago de Compostela old town, was a highlight.
In the end, it was about finding joy in the journey - not just the destination. I may not be as fit as I was in my 20s, but the thrill of adventure remains the same. As I reflect on our epic journey, I'm reminded that sometimes it's the imperfections and setbacks that make life more meaningful.
Our journey from Cornwall to Portugal will go down in history as one of the most adventurous and unlikely cycling trips ever attempted - with surfboards strapped to trailers, no less! It was a testament to my wife Lizzy and me's determination and love for the ocean. The Way of the Waves, Martin Dorey's book about our adventure, is published by Bloomsbury Sport on September 11th.