Ro Marshall, a 36-year-old content creator from Barnstaple, is currently over halfway through a 1,000-mile bike ride from Land's End to John O'Groats with her two young sons, aged one and four. The journey began on June 20 and is expected to take around seven weeks, comprising approximately 39 stages of between 15 and 36 miles each. The boys swap between the bike seat and a trailer as they travel.
Daily Routine and Challenges
Each leg takes about eight hours, with Ro cycling in roughly two-hour chunks before taking breaks. She wakes at 6 a.m. to prepare the bike and make breakfast, leaving by 8 a.m. The family books accommodation the night before to allow flexibility. Upon arrival, Ro secures the bike, showers the boys, finds a play park, washes clothes, sorts dinner, uploads content, and plans the next day's route. In hot weather, she starts early to avoid the sun and takes regular breaks in the shade. On steep hills, her four-year-old walks alongside the bike.
Ro sticks to quiet roads and scenic routes to chat with her sons and see landmarks away from busy traffic. 'That brings its own challenges because it’s normally back roads that are little used, gravelly and have grass growing up the middle,' she says. 'But it’s been really beautiful.' She often carries all clothes, waterproofs, electronics, food, and drink, though friends sometimes drive belongings to the next accommodation.
Motivation and Impact
The goal was to create memories with her eldest son before he starts school in September, while her husband works away all summer. 'My whole motto in motherhood is that you can do anything you want to do,' Ro explains. She created her Instagram account @britishadventuremum three years ago to help women 'break free from society’s narrative that life ends when you have kids.'
Ro has raised more than £13,000 for the PANDAS Foundation, which supports families affected by perinatal mental illness. 'It’s a great organisation,' she adds. 'I’m really grateful for every donation I receive.' She has 181,000 followers on TikTok and receives messages from mothers worldwide saying she has inspired them. 'To hear you’re having a positive impact on another family’s life is amazing,' she says.
Family Support and Fun
Her husband, working away, helps plan accommodation and stops, and will be at the finish to take over parenting duties. He sends videos for the boys and stays in touch via voice notes and FaceTime. 'He loves hearing about our day and is super supportive,' Ro says. Despite flat tyres, punctures, and frustrations, the journey has been incredible. 'When I’m on the bike, my four-year-old will be telling me things, and I’m really listening because I’m not distracted by my phone, the washing up or the laundry,' she notes. 'He’s been really outgoing talking to people we meet along the way about our adventure.'
