Steven Herrick might have written the book you studied for your Year 12 English exams, but did you know he has written other books too? So many, in fact, that he’s made a whole career out of it! And after writing for young adults for the best part of 15 years, in 2012 Steven decided to switch things up a bit and try writing travel books instead.

Now, Steven spends months at a time cycling throughout the world (mostly Europe, sometimes with his wife) and writing about it in his ebooks that have grown something of a cult following. He says that it’s gotten to the stage where some people are even recreating his journeys and updating him as they go!

After multiple journeys across Europe, Steven has had countless experiences with the kindness of strangers, including one instance on a kiwi fruit farm in Portugal that went well and truly above the call of duty. He also knows better than most people how different and special it is to experience travel at a slower, more local point of view. Rather than rushing from city to city on trains and planes, Steven and his wife have become used to taking their time riding through the back streets of countrysides and rural towns they happen upon.

I left this chat feeling inspired to get on a bike and travel the world, so don’t be surprised if you end up googling “best bikes for cycling holiday” like I may have. But really, the best research you can do (in my opinion) is checking out some of Steven’s books and hearing from the man himself what life on the road is like when you take it one pedal at a time.

To hear more episodes of Pod Voyage, check out the home page or listen on Spotify.