In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we talk with 26-year-old Claire Wyatt, who is currently cycling 16,000km around Australia. Claire is passionate about solo bicycle touring and sharing stories of kindness from around the world. She tells us about her big adventure in Australia, her passion for cycle touring over the past four years, and her early years growing up as one of five children. After studying criminology at Loughborough University, Claire moved to Cambodia to work for a travel company. It was there that she got into cycling in her 20s and eventually went on her first cycle tour around Cambodia for three weeks. She tells us about the lessons she learned on that trip and how it inspired her to continue exploring the world on two wheels. Claire also shares with us the challenges of cycle touring, from budgeting to communication and staying safe on the road. She tells us about the magical moments she's experienced while out on the road and the kindness of strangers she's encountered along the way. Throughout the episode, Claire provides practical advice for women who want to travel by bike, including how to plan a trip, what equipment to invest in, and how to communicate with locals. She also shares the story of how she was inspired by Dervla Murphy, an Irish travel writer who cycled from Ireland to India in the 1960s. If you're interested in following Claire's journey, you can check out her blog and follow her on Instagram at @exploringbybicycle. And don't forget to hit the subscribe button for new episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast every Tuesday at 7am UK time. You can also support the mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media by visiting www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast. Thank you for listening! *** Show notes 26 years old Travelling by bike Her big adventure in Australia Her passion for cycle touring over the past 4 years Her early years growing up and being 1 of 5 children Getting into cycling in her 20s after university Having a twin sister Studying criminology at Loughborough University Moving to Cambodia to work for a travel company Her decision making process Taking redundancy Going on her first cycle tour around Cambodia for 3 weeks Figuring it out on the first trip The magic letter and how it helped her communicate with local people Staying with local family and cheap guest houses Heading home during COVID Setting up a small project called Mind over Miles Cycling from Land's End to John O'Groats (LEJOG) to raise funds for the Adventure Therapy Charity The lessons from cycling LEJOG and why it was a good experience The bike - Surly Ogre Investing in new equipment Power while on the road Carrying her laptop and working while on the road Money and budget while on the road Cycling 16,000km around Australia Starting in Tasmania and ending in Perth Planning to cycle from Cambodia back to the UK The challenges of cycle touring Magical moments while out on the road Using Warmshowers for accommodation The kindness of strangers The Great Queensland Rail Adventure Learning mechanics for the bike Communicating with family and using a Zoleo Communicating via radio (Channel 40 in Australia) with the truck drivers Advice for women who want to travel by bike Being inspired by Dervla Murphy Book: Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle by Dervla Murphy How to connect with Claire Her blog Social Media Blog: https://wanderingwyatt135121267.wordpress.com/ Instagram: @exploringbybicycle

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