TPZ087: A 43,000 Mile Cycling Adventure with Charlie Walker

Cycle Touring with Charlie Walker
Photos Copyright Charlie Walker


In November of 2014, Charlie Walker completed a 43,000 mile cycling adventure through 61 countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa. It was a 4.5 year expedition that began in England on a secondhand bike he called Old Geoff. As part of the journey, Charlie also trekked 1,000 miles across the Gobi Desert from Beijing to Ulaan Baatar, rode a horse 600 miles across the Mongolian steppe, and paddled a dugout canoe down 350 miles of the Lulua River in the Congo. You can learn more about his adventure and the charities he is supporting at cwexplore.com. Charlie Walker, welcome to The Pursuit Zone.

TPZ086: A Dog Sledding Adventure for Charity with Danielle Ramsey

Husky Dog Challenge Danielle Ramsey
Photo of Danielle and the dogs by Jordana Widosuwito.


For one week in February, Danielle Ramsey took part in the Husky Dog Challenge. It’s an event in northern Sweden, near the town of Kiruna, 145 km inside the Arctic Circle. As part of the challenge, Danielle mushed a team of sled dogs a distance of 200 km over several days in the wilderness, sleeping in a basic cabin without running water or electricity. She did this to raise funds in memory of her older sister Abby who had Down’s Syndrome. You can learn more at arctic4abby.wordpress.com. Danielle Ramsey, welcome to The Pursuit Zone.

TPZ085: Canoeing the Congo River with Phil Harwood

Phil Harwood Canoeing the Congo River


In 2008, Phil Harwood completed a descent of the Congo River, starting at the Chambesi River in Zambia then traveling mostly through the Democratic Republic of Congo. For five months he navigated through the water and the corruption in his 15-foot canoe to reach the Atlantic Ocean. Along the way he encountered people that wanted to kill him and steal his money, but also local fisherman that offered their help when he needed it most. Phil tells this amazing adventure story in his book, Canoeing the Congo – The First Source to Sea Descent of the Congo River and you can learn more at canoingthecongo.com. Phil Harwood, welcome to The Pursuit Zone.

TPZ084: Into the Empty Quarter Desert with Leon McCarron

Into the Empty Quarter
copyright Alastair Humphreys


Into the Empty Quarter is an adventure film that follows Leon McCarron’s journey through a vast region of the Arabian Desert. Beginning in Salalah Oman with teammate Alastair Humphreys, the two pulled a heavy cart containing their supplies for 1,000 miles to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Their adventure was inspired by the British explorer Wilfred Thesiger who wrote about his crossing of the desert in the book Arabian Sands. You can learn more about the movie and Leon at intotheemptyquarter.com and leonmccarron.com. Leon McCarron, welcome to The Pursuit Zone.

TPZ083: Skiing Unsupported to the North Pole with Tyler Fish

Tyler Fish North Pole


In 2009, Tyler Fish and John Huston became the first Americans to ski unsupported to the North Pole. It took 55 days to travel more than 500 miles starting from Ward Hunt Island. They pulled and pushed their heavy sleds over sand-like snow, giant ice-rubble fields, and through stretches of open water. To avoid deadly mistakes in the sub-zero temperatures, their motto was slow and steady until the last few days when they had to ski nearly nonstop to make headway against the constantly shifting ice. The expedition is documented in their book Forward and you can learn more at forwardexpeditions.com. Tyler Fish, welcome to The Pursuit Zone.

TPZ082: Cycling Around the World for Rhinos with Will Frazer

Will Frazer Riding for Rhinos


Will Frazer cycled around the world from London to Miami. Along with his friend Johan du Plessis, the two spent 234 days on the road, cycling 23,500 km through 24 countries. Their adventure is called Riding for Rhinos and their mission is to raise money and awareness for an animal dangerously close to extinction from poaching. You can learn more at their website ridingforrhinos.org. Will Frazer, welcome to The Pursuit Zone.

TPZ081: Cycling Around the World with Tom Bruce

Tom Bruce cycling around the world


At age 24, Tom Bruce quit his job and set off from his home in the UK on a 10-month round-the-world cycling adventure crossing Europe, Asia, and America. It was 14,000 miles and one of the greatest experiences of his life. In the process he raised thousands of dollars for SOS Children’s Villages, an organization devoted to protecting the world’s vulnerable children. To learn more you can read his book titled Every Inch of the Way – My Bike Ride Around the World and visit his website tombrucecycling.com. Tom Bruce, welcome to The Pursuit Zone.

TPZ080: Running across Africa with Emma Timmis

Emma Timmis running across africa


Emma Timmis ran across Africa, coast to coast, from Namibia to Mozambique. It was 89 days and nearly 4,000 km. Supported by a small crew, they called their expedition Head over Heels 2014 with the aim of raising money for several charities. Emma says it was the toughest thing she has done in her life, even tougher than becoming the first woman to run the 2400 km Freedom Trail in South Africa. You can learn more about the adventure and their fundraising efforts at headoverheels2014.com. Emma Timmis, welcome to The Pursuit Zone.

Learn more at www.emmatimmis.com

Donate to the cause at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/EmmaTimmis

TPZ079: Land Rover Adventure with Lucy Engleheart and Anne-Laure Carruth

Anne-Laure Carruth and Lucy Engleheart
Anne-Laure (left) and Lucy


After two years of planning, Lucy Engleheart and Anne-Laure Carruth set off on an amazing 174-day road trip circumnavigating the Mediterranean Sea. They focused their journey on North Africa and the Middle East, hoping to break down cultural misperceptions and gather stories of everyday life. Their constant companion was Landy – a 1971 long wheelbase Series IIa Land Rover which continuously broke down, yet delivered them safely back home. You can learn more about this adventure at their website shifting-sands.com. Lucy and Anne-Laure, welcome to The Pursuit Zone.

TPZ078: Desert Ultrarunning & Adventure Filmmaking with Jennifer Steinman

Jennifer Steinman and Sevan Matossian
Jennifer Steinman & Sevan Matossian


Jennifer Steinman’s documentary film Desert Runners has won numerous awards at film festivals around the world. It tells the story of four amateur athletes competing for the 4 Deserts Grand Slam which is accomplished by finishing four 250 km ultramarathons in a calendar year. The movie shows how challenging and dangerous it can be to race in the most inhospitable places on earth – the Atacama, the Gobi, the Sahara, and Antarctica. You can learn more about the film at desertrunnersmovie.com and more about Jennifer at jennifersteinman.com. Jennifer Steinman, welcome to The Pursuit Zone.

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