Alice Bentley

It is amazing how one’s confidence builds in time and – after reading your book – I suddenly noticed that I was in some ways part of the neat community that you have built. I am currently in Tbilisi with intentions of cycling to Australia in the indefinite future. I have a trusty steed, tightly packed panniers and no particular deadlines…Although I have been on the road for almost a year and a half, I feel – like may do – that it is made up of a series of different journeys. Cycling around the UK at the beginning was a world away from following some of the Camino routes in Spain; different again from autumn in France, winter in Germany and following archeological sites through Italy. Albania in the heat of early summer contrasted with Greece when it was heaving with August tourism. Cycling west Turkey alone was an entirely different experience… Alice Bentley

HAVE YOU READ THE BIG WOW BOOK?

Joanna Kaszewiak

My name is Joanna Kaszewiak and I’m from Poland. In July 2016 I started a bike trip from Poland to Asia. My final desination is South-East Asia. I’m cycling on my own but was joined by a friend (a girl) for some time in the summer. Currently I’m in Turkey. I got inspired to cycle by another girl cycling solo, then I found WOW Wall and discovered there are so many great women out there. I am honoured to be pinned to your Wall 🙂 You can find more about my trip on my blog: www.onbyways.com or the facebook page: www.facebook.com/onbyways

Companion Request: Loretta

photo: Eating on the side of the road while cycling into an insane headwind from sea level into the mountains.

After 45 countries solo, I will be the first to admit that sometimes travelling with others is more fun and fewer booo hoo hoo poor me lonesome blues moments. BUT sometimes travelling solo is the only way to go to enrich yourself without a buffer into different cultures and surround yourself in phenomenal experiences only possible when alone, especially if you are a solo female with a perma-grin! Hence, the kunundrum of this companion request, so let’s put it this way, are you up for some adventure cycle touring? Want’a explore remote cultures on various road terrains in random countries while laughing?

“>LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW OR

Sissi Korhonen

Girls like to talk, did you know that? The WOW Wall is flooded with women asking for advice. Sissi Korhonen said, “My biggest resource while planning my route of South America was writing to other women to ask for advice.” The huge amount of tips on the internet can be overwhelming and, despite the testosterone dripping off some jock itch forums, bicycle touring really is for everyone. I got in touch with Sissi Korhonen while she was on a break from her bicycle tour in Buenos Aires and I asked what she thought would be helpful advice for people just starting out. Sissi said, “My best advice is: Just go! Everything will work out in one way or another. You don’t need to train heavily or be an expert to make a cycling trip. All you need is a strong will and some money.”

HAVE YOU READ THE BIG WOW BOOK?

Marlene Pioteyry

I am currently cycling from Nord Kap in Norway to the Strait of Gibraltar on a solo female touring trip. I began on 1st of June and will probably finish this tour by the end of the year. I cycled all along Norway, Denmark, went to Iceland, cycled Scotland and I am’about to go to Ireland, then Atlantic coast in France, Camino di Santiago in Spain, Portugal. This tour could probably go on to Italy and then who knows… ! It’s a 10 000 km tour and I am about half way now. I am 28, and after 7 years of intense professional experience, I quit my job of Personal Assistant in big companies in May and decided to go on the road, live simply, wildly, and ride to discover new people and magnificent natural landscapes. I don’t only cross countries but try to explore the most part of it. I am writing my adventures every day on a blog…Your website inspired me to do this tour, but moreover it convinced me that women can travel alone by bike. I intend my blog to inspire other women, and men, to fulfill their dreams and follow their instinct to ride over the world.

HAVE YOU READ THE BIG WOW BOOK?

Blandine (aka La Trottineuse)

I’m kicking the first tour of Europe by kick scooter, solo, unsupported. I started from France 10 months ago …The adventure is a humanist and athletic quest for the good life at a personal level, as well as an attempt at raising local and global awareness and solidarity. It’s a soft and self-propelled activism, as I consider myself a sort of libertarian vagrant, trying to explore alternatives to the socio-economic dominant patterns and lifestyles. Blandine (https://www.facebook.com/latrottineuse).

HAVE YOU READ THE BIG WOW BOOK?

Georgie Dixon

…I’d previously done some cycle touring with other people, but your blog helped give me the confidence to think I could do a cycling trip solo, and I did! Recently I cycled from Bangkok to Krabi (about 1000 km) in Thailand on my own…I’m definitely planning to do a longer solo cycle trip now… I’m thinking of starting in the UK and heading towards Asia. Thanks again – I love your blog!

HAVE YOU READ THE BIG WOW BOOK?

Louise Sutherland

My pick for favorite WOW, cycling legend Louise Sutherland. Her around the word tour 1956-1962 was only the beginning of her travels by bike. Although she passed away, Cycling Legends, the book about her life is still available internationally. Enjoy this 1978 TV Interview with a legend. Everything Louise talks about is so dialed in to my reality, I cried, laughed and shouted “OMG, you got that right… so true…the world’s still like that…y’ah me too” all the way through this 1978 TV interview.

Have you read The Big WOW Book: 100 Women From Around The World Travel Solo By Bicycle?

Click here to see a really funny YOUTUBE interview right before Louise released her book

Book Speaker

Available for conferences, school groups, clubs, outdoor shows, town hall events. Get in touch at skalatitude.com

Testimonials

“I’ve seen 100’s of presentations and this one was definitely the best. Highest turnout for a club event we have ever had” RMC Club Chairman of Events

“Funny and inspiring, the stories left me in awe”

“I’ve never seen the kids more interested in geography and history” Jeff Merkel (6th grade teacher)

“Inspirational, beyond comparison”

“Immediately told my colleagues and asked Loretta to speak again at a larger event”

Martien Deijsselberg

When Martien turned 40, she began going on cycling holidays in Europe. It is the simplicity of life on the road that she loves. While touring, she has never met another solo female cyclist so she reached out to join the fun here on the WOW (Women On Wheels) Wall.