Episode 117: Charlie Walker

Reflections from a Long Term Adventurer

What drives someone to leave behind the familiar and set off on an adventure with no set timeline? For Charlie Walker, that question has led to over a decade of human-powered exploration – including a 43,000-mile cycling journey across three continents, trekking through Mongolia, paddling remote rivers, and even facing unexpected detainment in Siberia.

I recently sat down with Charlie for the latest episode of Seek Travel Ride, where we talked about his incredible four-year bike tour, his return to West Africa to complete an unfinished ride, and how technology is reshaping adventure travel. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to live a life of extreme adventure, this episode is one you won’t want to miss!

A Journey That Started with a Bicycle

Charlie’s journey into long-distance adventure began with a simple idea: to explore the world by bike. His plan? To cycle to the furthest reaches of Europe, Asia, and Africa without taking shortcuts.

Over the course of four and a half years, he pedaled through remote deserts, towering mountain ranges, and deep jungles, experiencing the generosity of strangers, the challenges of solo travel, and the raw beauty of the world at the speed of a bicycle.

The Detour That Became an Expedition

One of the most fascinating parts of our conversation was Charlie’s recent return to West Africa – a section of his journey he had originally planned to cycle but had to skip due to conflict at the time. Nearly a decade later, he finally completed the ride, giving him a rare opportunity to see firsthand how much had changed in the region.

Adventuring in a Digital Age

Charlie also reflected on how technology has transformed the way people undertake big adventures. From paper maps to GPS navigation, handwritten letters to instant online updates, we explored the ways in which digital tools have both enhanced and altered the nature of long-term travel.

What Comes After the Adventure?

For many long-term adventurers, returning to “normal life” can be as challenging as the journey itself. But for Charlie, adventure isn’t just a one-time experience as it’s very much become a way of life. We discussed how he approaches post-expedition blues, his thoughts on storytelling and sharing his experiences, and what’s next on the horizon for him.

Listen to the Full Episode

Charlie’s episode is a fascinating deep dive into resilience, adaptation, and the mindset of a true explorer. If you’re passionate about adventure travel, cycling, or simply love hearing real stories from the road, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

🎧 Listen to the episode now – the podcast is available on Seek Travel Ride in all podcast players

You can follow Charlie via his instagram account – @cwexplore and his website – www.cwexplore.com where you can also purchase his books which I highly recommend!

🚴‍♂️ What’s the biggest adventure you’ve ever taken? Let me know in the comments!

The Seek Travel Ride podcast