Interview by Tom Warburton

In 2011, aged 22, Geordie Stewart stood at the summit of Mount Everest. He reached his dream that was hatched years before: to climb the highest mountain in each of the seven continents. Geordie then went on to cycle around the world. In this Q&A we share some of Geordie’s experiences from travelling the world and some information on his latest book, A Rolling Stone: Taking the Road Less Travelled. 

You’ve raised money for Help for Heroes and the RNLI are they charities close to your heart?

As someone who has served in the British Army, Help for Heroes will always have an important connection and it’s a charity I still support. My family actually has a long-standing relationship with the RNLI dating back to World War Two when my Grandfather was rescued by them having been shot down in his Spitfire. Having an RNLI banner with me at the summit of Everest was a proud moment.

You’ve recently been giving people 101 top tips from your round the world cycling trip, what tips have you got if anyone wants to follow in your footsteps?

Be bold, be curious and be honest with yourself about your own motivations and your own aims. Don’t try and fulfil someone else’s aspirations or expectations. Believe in the end goal but take practical, rational and realistic steps to get there.

You’ve got a book, “A Rolling Stone: Taking the Road Less Travelled” tell us a little about that?

It’s my second book and covers part of my cycle adventure. It is about choosing an unfamiliar path which led me to discover and confront previously unknown truths. It’s also a story of people met, insights gained and what life is really like on a bike without a home: a rolling stone.

Having travelled around the world, you will have had an amazing opportunity to meet people from different cultures and backgrounds, do you have any notable experiences?

The range of encounters you inevitably have is one of the most special parts of being on a big cycle trip; I think that sentiment is heightened even more when alone. From friends in Western Europe, farmers in Kazakhstan, the police in rural China, ranchers in Australia or cowboys in the Midwest, the experiences will remain with me. It’s humbling to be so vulnerable and so welcomed on the road.

Cycling around the world is no mean feat, tell us a little bit about your daily routine?

Cycle, eat, sleep, repeat. That’s the basic formula anyway and if you keep doing a version of that, you’ll get to where you need to go. In reality, my daily routine, although following a vague pattern, was never the same. The atmospherics, the road surface, the shops, the human encounters, the terrain; no two days were ever the same. Something different – positive or negative – always emerged.

Your social media has some pretty cool photos of you cycling through the winters of Siberia, that must have been pretty challenging?

Ha, indeed, don’t be fooled by the pictures of a glistening sun on pristine snow. Cycling alone in temperatures down to -40°C was brutally hard. Every morning was its own mini-battle to get out of my sleeping bag, out of my tent and to motivate myself to get back on the bike and back on the road again.

A lot of round the world cyclists have had to deal with some pretty dangerous situations, did you face any similar challenges?

The idea of immense vulnerability struck me a couple of times on the trip actually ­–­ you’ll have to read the book to get the full context. But yes, there were a few situations with people and/or conditions that tested my adaptability, resilience and ability to cope in uncertain situations.

You spend a lot of your time on your travels visiting schools, is educating people an important part of why you travel?

Going on a big journey for your own personal development is certainly a valuable thing to do. I ventured off for a whole variety of reasons that are hard to answer in soundbites, unfortunately. But informing, educating and helping others is, I believe, a wholly valuable part of travel. Sharing stories, insights and perspectives is how, throughout history, we’ve transferred knowledge and in our own ways, we each still try to do that.

Your book title “A Rolling Stone” is in reference to what it’s like on the road, no home, with just your bike. This and meeting so many diverse cultures did it teach you anything about modern life and the concept of a traditional home environment?

The title is a reference to many things but yes, that is one of them. A word that constantly came back to me while I was away was perspective; both about the countries I was in but also the people, places and culture of my own home. I think part of the trip was also about trying to develop that understanding about who and what I genuinely value.

Your bike and kit must have been pretty important for your trip, what kind of setup did you have and what’s one piece of kit you couldn’t live without?

You’re spot on, your bike and kit become part of the trip. I mean that literally, of course, but also emotionally in an odd way. Again, I think that’s heightened when alone. So my bike, panniers, cap, tent, stove etc all kind of matter in their own way beyond their obvious practical necessity. I have to confess my cleated Shimano sandals were probably my favourite bit of kit and that will come as little surprise to anyone that followed the trip. Putting them on again after winter and discarding my hefty thermal Kazakh worker boots was a huge highlight of the whole trip.

If people want to follow your journeys or buy your latest book where should they head?

Instagram @geordie_stewart is the best place to follow me. For the books, head to Amazon and you’ll find them both there.

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