Episode 139: Steph Devery

Bike Adventures Across the French Alps to Ski Bikepacking in the Yukon and Alaska

Choosing to live an adventurous life

What happens when you’ve ticked off your dream trip? When the “big ride” is behind you and real life starts knocking at the door?

In this episode of Seek Travel Ride, I catch up with returning guest Steph Devery, who cycled from Sweden to the southern tip of Africa — a journey spanning over 2.5 years, countless mountain passes, and unforgettable moments. But as Steph shares, finishing wasn’t the end of her story. It was the beginning of redefining what adventure means.

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Finding your feet after the finish line

For Steph, reaching Cape Town was both exhilarating and unsettling: “I’d been chasing this goal for so long… and then suddenly, I’d done it. I was proud, but I also thought, ‘Okay… what now?” That transition period brought unexpected challenges: shifting from life on the road to settling into a new rhythm, seeking out and purposefully finding community, and rediscovering the smaller joys in life.

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Redefining adventure

After her big ride, Steph’s approach to adventure changed:

• She embraced micro-adventures, like cycling the Route des Grandes Alpes and bike-skiing the Yukon.
• She explored other passions, from trail running to long-distance hiking with her sister.
• She created balance by mixing wild experiences with meaningful routines. Hearing about simple concepts like implementing Waffle Wednesdays with friends and finding a new adventure community in Canada.

“Adventure doesn’t have to be huge to be meaningful. It can be in your backyard, on a trail you’ve never hiked, or even just trying something new.”

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Lessons for all of us

Steph’s story is a reminder that adventure is a mindset and doesn’t need to have an end point. Ticking off one big challenge doesn’t need to be the end of seeking out fun adventures, and that sometimes the smaller ones we look to include in our lives can be just as fulfilling. Whether you’re planning your first tour or coming home from a big one, her advice is simple:

• Always have something to look forward to.
• Find joy in the little things.
• Keep your community close.

Listen to the full episode now and be sure to give Steph a follow via her instagram account – @StephDevery to keep up with where her next adventures take her.

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The Seek Travel Ride podcast