Andreas Graf's Epic Four-Year Cycling Journey Around the World
In April 2022, Andreas Graf embarked on a life-altering adventure, leaving his comfortable Oslo apartment behind to cycle from Norway to India. What began as a nine-month dream evolved into a monumental four-year odyssey spanning five continents and 50 countries, covering an astonishing 55,000 kilometers. Graf, a 31-year-old industrial engineer, traded his career and routine for a life of freedom, cycling without screens or any concept of time or date.
From Doubt to Determination: The Early Stages
Just a week into his journey, as rain poured in Sweden, Graf questioned his decision, reminiscing about his cozy life in Norway. However, driven by a hunger for adventure and a desire to escape the rat race, he pressed on. Inspired by self-propelled travel and the post-pandemic wanderlust many felt, Graf chose cycling to cover vast distances while maintaining a slow, immersive pace. He avoided rigid plans, embracing uncertainty in a world still grappling with Covid-19 closures and the Ukraine conflict.
Traversing Continents: A Path of Self-Discovery
Graf cycled through Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, initially struggling with loneliness and identity detachment. After three months, he found peace, shedding societal roles to rediscover himself. Upon reaching India, his original goal, he dreamed bigger—aiming to circumnavigate the globe, a rare feat since Thomas Stevens in the 1880s. His route included flights over closed countries like Turkmenistan and Myanmar, but mostly involved relentless pedaling through diverse landscapes.
Brutal Challenges and Spiritual Epiphanies
The journey was fraught with extreme conditions. In the Australian outback, Graf faced temperatures above 40°C, carrying up to 38 liters of water on an 87kg bike. Crossing the Sahara in 51°C heat with relentless winds tested his mental fortitude. Yet, these hardships led to profound moments, such as cycling across Australia on the day he turned 33, the age his mother died. This sparked a mix of grief and gratitude, reinforcing his commitment to living authentically outdoors.
Kindness and Humanity Across Borders
Despite dangers, including a knife-wielding encounter in India and a broken wrist in Colombia, Graf was consistently met with kindness. Strangers offered water, shelter, and friendship, from Iran to Peru. He humorously noted that humans were the "worst animal" he encountered, yet these interactions highlighted universal values of grace and dignity. A couple in Australia even lent him their empty house after seeing him on Facebook, embodying the trust he found worldwide.
Living Naturally: A Screen-Free Existence
Graf embraced a technology-minimal lifestyle, often without a phone, rising and sleeping with the sun. This detachment from time allowed him to live in the moment, a gift he cherishes. However, he witnessed environmental crises firsthand, noting plastic pollution in Asia and South America, and extreme heat in Vietnam, raising concerns about the planet's future and the ethics of bringing children into such a world.
Homecoming and Reflections
Returning to Norway in December 2025, Graf struggled to adjust to luxuries like beds and computers, preferring the simplicity of nature. Now clean-shaven and writing a book, he remains at peace with his journey's end, advocating for writing one's own story despite hardships. His adventure underscores the transformative power of travel, resilience, and human connection.
