Cycling Around the World: Duncan Covey on Adventure, Fear & Life on the Road
In the latest episode of Where We Ride, hosts Lee and Georgia sit down with ultra-endurance cyclist Duncan Covey, who spent 477 days cycling around the world, covering more than 36,000 kilometres across Europe, Central Asia, Nepal, Australia, and beyond.
But this wasn’t a world record attempt or a race against time.
Instead, Duncan’s journey was about adventure, freedom, and refusing to let life become predictable.
The episode explores endurance cycling, bikepacking, mental resilience, cycling travel, and the life-changing experiences that come from exploring the world by bike.
Why Duncan Cycled Around the World
Duncan explains that the trip began after years of feeling trapped in the traditional cycle of education, work, and routine life.
“I suddenly realised if I wasn’t careful I was going to blink and open my eyes and be old and boring and missed the boat.”
After graduating into lockdown and later building a successful career in the cycling industry, he realised he still wanted something bigger.
For Duncan, cycling around the world became an opportunity to do something purely for himself.
“I felt like if I got on my bike and cycled around the world, that would be something I’d be immensely proud of.”
It’s a feeling many cyclists can relate to, especially those drawn towards cycling travel, bike tours, and long-distance adventure riding.
The Freedom of Cycling Without a Fixed Plan
One of the most fascinating parts of the conversation is how little Duncan planned.
Although he mapped major destinations like Kyrgyzstan, the Himalayas, and Australia’s Nullarbor Plain, he quickly realised strict route planning limited the adventure.
“I deleted all of the files I’d made and then just planned a few days ahead.”
That openness led to spontaneous experiences, local recommendations, and invitations from strangers he met while [cycling through Europe (https://lovevelo.co.uk/cycling-holidays-in-europe/) and Central Asia.
The episode perfectly captures why bikepacking and cycling holidays can become far more rewarding when riders leave room for the unexpected.
The Reality of Solo Cycling Around the World
Duncan spent most of the 16-month trip cycling alone.
Surprisingly, he explains that loneliness was rarely the hardest part.
“It’s not that bad being by yourself.”
Instead, solo travel gave him something modern life rarely offers: silence.
Without distractions, phone signal, or constant noise, Duncan describes long stretches of riding through deserts and mountains as mentally freeing rather than isolating.
For anyone considering solo cycling travel or bikepacking adventures, the conversation offers a refreshing perspective on being comfortable alone.
The Dangerous Side of Adventure Cycling
Not every moment of the journey was positive.
Duncan openly discusses several genuinely dangerous situations during the trip, including attempted robbery in Italy and a terrifying encounter with an armed shepherd in Albania.
“Dying, not so comfortable.”
One of the most intense stories involves being stopped in the Albanian mountains by a man carrying a shotgun who demanded money in exchange for safe passage.
The psychological impact of those experiences stayed with him long afterwards, triggering panic attacks, nightmares, and anxiety while riding.
The honesty of this section makes the episode especially powerful, showing that endurance cycling challenges are often far more mental than physical.
Mental Health, Trauma & Finding Support
A major theme throughout the podcast is mental health.
After struggling with anxiety and fear following several incidents on the road, Duncan eventually reached out to the mental health charity Big Moose for support.
“Support really helps.”
Weekly therapy sessions while cycling through remote parts of the world helped him continue the journey safely.
The conversation around mental resilience, vulnerability, and asking for help feels incredibly relevant, especially within endurance sport where people often feel pressure to appear mentally tough.
For many listeners, this may become one of the most important sections of the entire episode.
Why Cycling Travel Changes Your Perspective
Despite the difficult moments, Duncan repeatedly returns to one key idea: most people around the world are incredibly kind.
Throughout Central Asia, Nepal, and India, strangers invited him into their homes, shared food, and helped him navigate unfamiliar places.
“The world is full of good people.”
One standout story involves a family in Nepal insisting he stay with them during a religious festival so he could experience the celebrations properly rather than continue riding alone.
These experiences highlight why cycling travel often creates far deeper cultural connections than traditional tourism.
Returning to Normal Life After Cycling the World
One of the most interesting discussions comes when Lee asks Duncan what happened after the ride ended.
After 16 months of adventure, returning home felt strangely difficult.
Duncan explains that he quickly overloaded himself with work, events, and commitments to avoid the feeling of slowing down.
“I rapidly descended into a state of burnout.”
Eventually, he realised he didn’t need to stop adventuring altogether.
Soon after returning home, he flew to Australia and cycled across the Nullarbor Plain carrying golf clubs so he could attempt to play the world’s longest golf course along the way.
It perfectly sums up the spirit of the episode: adventure does not need to make sense to anyone else.
Final Thoughts: Why Adventure Still Matters
This episode is about far more than cycling around the world.
It’s about challenging routine, embracing uncertainty, and discovering what happens when you push yourself beyond familiar environments.
Whether you’re interested in bikepacking, cycling holidays, endurance cycling, or simply dreaming about your next adventure, Duncan’s story is a reminder that extraordinary experiences are often far more achievable than people think.
And perhaps most importantly, it proves that adventure isn’t reserved for extraordinary people.
Sometimes, it simply starts by deciding to leave.
