Martin and Lizzy, a couple from Cornwall, cycled over 2,000 miles to Cape St Vincent in Portugal, towing surfboards and camping gear. The journey, undertaken in summer 2024, was an unsupported adventure along the west coast of France and into Spain and Portugal, with surfing stops along the way.
Martin, 57, had never cycled more than 99 miles before, while Lizzy, 62, was an experienced long-distance cyclist. They rented out their house and lent their campervan to friends, leaving no option to turn back. The couple used electric bikes, which Martin said made the trip possible, especially after he had anterior cruciate ligament surgery in 2023.
Their route followed La Vélodyssée, an 800-mile off-road cycle path down the French coast, and the Nantes-Brest canal. They cycled about five hours a day, camping each night. The journey was inspired by the surfing pilgrimages of the 1960s and 1970s, when surfers travelled from the UK to Europe in search of waves.
Martin said he wanted to escape the 'faff and environmental impact of van life' and see if living with less would make him happier. The couple carried two wooden surfboards, a tent, wetsuits, and basic camping equipment. Despite initial doubts about his fitness, Martin found the experience transformative.
