
Esther Lloyd didn’t grow up as a cyclist, and she didn’t ease her way into the sport either. What started as a complete beginner journey just a few years ago, has turned into racing across continents in some of the toughest ultra-endurance events in the world, including the Transcontinental Race (TCR).Along the way she’s taken on brutal challenges like finishing third in the Trans Pyrenees Race and completing epic audaxes such as All Points North, building a reputation as someone who goes long and deep when many others would stop.In this conversation, recorded as I prepare for my own first attempt at the Transcontinental Race, Esther generously opens up everything she’s learned from her rapid rise in the world of endurance cycling.We get into the practical realities like where to sleep, what to eat, how to actually prepare, and what training really looks like when the distances start stretching beyond logic.But beyond the logistics, this is really about how someone who only recently discovered cycling can become the kind of rider who lines up for one of the hardest bike races on the planet.If you’re new to cycling and curious about how far it can take you, or if you’re already drawn to ultra-endurance racing and want a grounded, honest look at what it takes, this conversation is for you.Follow Esther:https://www.instagram.com/vistadelmotrone/If you’ve been affected by anything discussed in this conversation, or are struggling with an eating disorder yourself, these organisations may be able to help:https://red-s.comhttps://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/Support the podcast: Get a whopping 65% off your first Gousto box at: https://www.gousto.co.uk/raf/?promo_code=TOM42277653Mentioned in the Podcast:Lost Dot Races: https://www.lostdot.cc/Audax UK: https://www.audax.uk/Bivy Nation: https://www.instagram.com/bivy_nation/Join the mailing list:https://substack.com/@tombryanyeah?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-pageGet in contact:https://www.instagram.com/tombryanyeah/https://www.facebook.com/greatbritishadventurespodcasthttps://www.threads.net/@tombryanyeahChapters00:00 Intro02:28 Britain through the eyes of a Kiwi11:35 Tom's first bike race18:50 Esther's journey into cycling37:44 Group Riding48:28 Audaxing53:15 All Points North57:18 Sleeping in the wild01:02:56 Safety Sleeping Alone01:09:07: Eating Disorder + Role Models01:22:43 Trans Pyrenees01:30:50 Transcontinental Race
May 17
2 hr 15 min

Misadventures 5 - Training to Race Across Europe - Burnout, Healing & The Courage of Solo Adventures
In this episode, Tom shares his journey behind training for his first bike race (and it's a big one!) After a period of burnout, mental health struggles, and being forced to step away from life for a short while, this episode is more about what it really means to rebuild - physically and mentally and how “pushing through” doesn’t always work (Tom found out the hard way.Ben's been on a solo ski tour outside of Europe and gives all his tips and advice for travelling further afield for some good times. We dive deep into the importance of boundaries, processing anger, and the importance of protecting your energy.And of course - Tom dips into the jar of Great British Misadventures to regale a story from his own misadventures.Support the podcast: Get a whopping 65% off your first Gousto box at: https://www.gousto.co.uk/raf/?promo_code=TOM42277653Join the mailing list:https://substack.com/@tombryanyeah?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-pageGet in contact:https://www.instagram.com/tombryanyeah/https://www.facebook.com/greatbritishadventurespodcasthttps://www.threads.net/@tombryanyeahChapters:00:00 Intro03:48 Checking in re: Tom's mental health06:18 Deleting people from your life10:38 How you express anger16:38 'If' Poem22:37 Solo ski tour in Banff37:09 Two months off with exhaustion53:57 Ben's new addition58:55 Tom's first bike race01:19:39 Cycling's culture problem01:29:43 The most wonderful Wednesday01:37:58 Tour de France in the UK01:40:47 Great British Misadventures
Apr 13
1 hr 54 min

For Mark White, gratitude is more than just a word. It’s a daily practice that helped him rebuild his life - from rehab for drug addiction to creating a movement that encourages others to live with more intention, connection, and perspective.Now celebrating 23 years of sobriety, Mark has built gratitude into his daily life. He is the founder of Run Grateful, Your Town CIC, and the Daily Five app - a platform designed to promote wellbeing in simple, five-minute daily practices.In this conversation, we explore how gratitude became the one thing that stuck when nothing else did. Mark opens up about not being ready to change, how addiction can feel like a solution rather than a problem, and why gratitude isn’t about ignoring difficult thoughts and feelings. We also talk about the reality of showing up when you don’t want to, the importance of building evidence over time, and how small, consistent actions can begin to shift the direction of your life.Follow Mark: https://www.instagram.com/markwhite_120602/Support the podcast: Get a whopping 65% off your first Gousto box at: https://www.gousto.co.uk/raf/?promo_code=TOM42277653Mentioned in the Podcast:Run Grateful: https://www.rungrateful.com/The Daily Five App: https://www.dailyfiveofficial.com/Join the mailing list:https://substack.com/@tombryanyeah?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-pageGet in contact:https://www.instagram.com/tombryanyeah/https://www.facebook.com/greatbritishadventurespodcasthttps://www.threads.net/@tombryanyeahCHAPTERS00:00 Intro02:49: What Mark is grateful for today05:20 Why practising gratefulness is important to Mark12:15: Taking stock of the here and now16:19 Mark's journey into gratefulness20:08 Finding acceptance to begin change28:17 It starts with a pen and paper35:04 Mark's role models39:31 The ripple effect of addiction44:32 Tom's journey into sobriety56:56 Inspiring others into gratefulness01:03:56 The Grateful Mile01:13:13 Tom's journey to gratefulness01:20:16 Spirit before purpose01:29:02 Daily Five01:35:42 Prison rehabilitation01:39:40 It only takes a moment01:44:16 Grateful mile at Love Trails01:46:55 For those who feel they have nothing to be grateful for01:51:05 Mark's tally tattoo
Mar 30
1 hr 55 min

Here's the best of 2025 - thanks so much for tuning in!Charlie Wild (The Travel Project): Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4bUcPWaApple: https://apple.co/3XXfXe2Youtube: https://youtu.be/IAHqxY_vdNkAlex Staniforth - Caught in Everests Darkest Hour:Spotify: https://bit.ly/48UXJP0Apple: https://apple.co/4seGLErYoutube: https://youtu.be/Uat6ExQZ4gQSarah Ruggins - From Novice Cyclist to Record Breaker in 2 YearsSpotify: https://bit.ly/3MD9MZVApple: https://apple.co/49bbcUdYoutube: https://youtu.be/xitHPmorq6YCharlie Bennett: A Tale of Coca-Cola Ponds:Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4lwkiPBApple: https://apple.co/3Rgqg9xYoutube: https://youtu.be/L2evrfYc3D0Horatio Clare - The Real Story of the Small Boats Crossings:Spotify: https://bit.ly/4oVWeGiApple: https://apple.co/4q9Tp5FYoutube: https://youtu.be/_TG7N3mm34gJacquetta Megarry - A Second Life On FootSpotify: https://bit.ly/3W0AtcBApple: https://bit.ly/3W0AtcBYoutube: https://youtu.be/ByH4E6AomnMDeo Kato - From Cape Town To London:Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4asQhuMApple: https://apple.co/48D89nHYoutube: https://youtu.be/afhHa9yG_rUTracey Bravo - The Donor RouteSpotify: https://spoti.fi/43kr0BzApple: https://apple.co/43lir9JYoutube: https://youtu.be/Nr2dp_Ds1L8Nick Bester - Cracking the Sub 2:20 Marathon Spotify: https://spoti.fi/430uUztApple: https://apple.co/4gQhNUKYoutube: https://youtu.be/ZKQAwV0Za4ANick Butter - Mr. Possible:Spotify: https://bit.ly/4rUQdMQApple: https://apple.co/4iTV9NMYoutube: https://youtu.be/-PLhKZuK134Rave On For The AvonSpotify: https://bit.ly/48Sr7W3Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rave-on-for-the-avon-bristols-swimming-revolution/id1682803081?i=1000726865001Youtube: https://youtu.be/jq1Cmkt2q6QGreat British Misadventures: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2NuDY8zQAj5haZVaoJnPPx?si=1f8795b5e0b14379Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cycling-the-coast-of-wales-garlic-ice-cream/id1682803081?i=1000733651056Youtube: https://youtu.be/krhcwJaVEwESupport the podcast: Get a whopping 65% off your first Gousto box at: https://www.gousto.co.uk/raf/?promo_code=TOM42277653Join the mailing list:https://substack.com/@tombryanyeah?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-pageGet in contact:https://www.instagram.com/tombryanyeah/https://www.facebook.com/greatbritishadventurespodcasthttps://www.threads.net/@tombryanyeahChapters:00:00 Intro04:19 Charlie Wild's UK seasonal highlights14:29 Alex Staniforth - Caught in Everest's Darkest Hour24:38 Sarah Ruggins - From Novice Cyclist to Record Breaker in 2 Years33:19 Charlie Bennett: A Tale of Coca-Cola Ponds41:38 Horatio Clare - The Real Story of the Small Boats Crossings48:59 Jacquetta Megarry - A Second Life On Foot54:22 Deo Kato - From Cape Town To London01:02:58 Tracey Bravo - The Donor Route01:14:18 Nick Bester - Cracking the Sub 2:20 Marathon 01:26:00 Nick Butter - Mr. Possible01:36:16 Rave On For The Avon01:44:00 Great British Misadventures
Dec 15, 2025
1 hr 55 min

Nick Butter is a man who’s turned the word “impossible” into a to-do list.Once a finance professional chasing bonuses and deadlines, a chance meeting with a terminally ill runner made him completely reimagine his life. Within a few years, he’d left his job, sold his possessions, and embarked on one of the greatest endurance and logistically challenging feats ever attempted: running a marathon in every one of the world’s 196 countries.It took him two years, 450 flights, and over a million pounds to complete - but it also transformed how he saw the world and what matters most.Since that record-breaking run, Nick’s life hasn’t slowed down. He’s run the entire length of Italy, set a world record running 5,500 miles around the coast of the UK (averaging two marathons a day), recently appeared on the BBC’s Destination X, and launched Run Weekends - global running adventures where pace doesn’t matter, but connection and joy do. He also founded The 195 Foundation, a charity supporting causes in which give back to the places he’s visited. In this episode, we dive into what “home” feels like after years of life on the move, the lessons Nick learned from running a marathon in every country on Earth, and how he’s built a life centred on adventure, generosity, and human connection. We also talk about why he believes that a life well lived matters far more than a life well financed, and what his next big expedition might look like - and why, no matter what comes next, he’ll always be “Mr Possible.”Follow Nick: https://www.instagram.com/nickbutterrun/Support the podcast: Get a whopping 65% off your first Gousto box at: https://www.gousto.co.uk/raf/?promo_code=TOM42277653Mentioned in the Podcast:Loosing Eden, Lucy Jones: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/305463/losing-eden-by-jones-lucy/9780141992617 Run Weekends: https://www.runweekends.com/Factfulness, Hans Rosling: https://www.gapminder.org/factfulness-book/Destination X: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0024pz8Into the Wild, Jon Krakauer: https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/products/into-the-wild-book-jon-krakauer-9780330453677?sku=GOR001376384Nick’s 196 Foundation: https://www.the196foundation.com/Clockify: https://clockify.me/Read Nick’s Books:Running the World: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/439803/running-the-world-by-butter-nick/9780552176484Run Britain: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Run-Britain-Record-Breaking-Adventure-Coastline/dp/1787636410Join the mailing list:https://substack.com/@tombryanyeah?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-pageGet in contact:https://www.instagram.com/tombryanyeah/https://www.facebook.com/greatbritishadventurespodcasthttps://www.threads.net/@tombryanyeah
Nov 10, 2025
1 hr 48 min

Benny P is back to co-host another episode of Misadventures.In this episode, Tom reflects on his ride around the coast of Wales - a three-week journey of endurance, reflection, and a new love for the sea he never knew he needed.Ben brings stories from Chamonix, convincing us all we need a slice of that alpine magic next summer.Along the way, we dive into Tom’s unlikely love affair with volunteering at Reading Festival (yes, that Reading Festival) and Ben’s debrief from the Berlin Marathon. Throw in some parkrun tourism, a pinch of the Isle of Wight, a dash of indie sleaze nostalgia, and a ridiculous story from the Great British Misadventures jar – and trust us, this one’s guaranteed to make you laugh. Follow Benny P: https://www.instagram.com/mr.bennypalmer/Support the podcast: Get a whopping 65% off your first Gousto box at: https://www.gousto.co.uk/raf/?promo_code=TOM42277653Mentioned in the podcast:The Garlic Farm: https://www.thegarlicfarm.co.uk/Trailside Coffee: https://www.instagram.com/trailsidecoffee/Become an Oxfam festival volunteer: https://festivals.oxfam.org.uk/Amy Harris: https://www.instagram.com/amythepoetcelebrant/Eden Project Reel: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJWU5iCiw0b/Indie Sleaze Podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p0lcqp00Join the mailing list:https://substack.com/@tombryanyeah?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-pageGet in contact:https://www.instagram.com/tombryanyeah/https://www.facebook.com/greatbritishadventurespodcasthttps://www.threads.net/@tombryanyeahChapters00:00 Intro02:28 Ed Sheeran Shopping?06:18 Coming up07:20 Amazing summer of sun09:12 Wanderlust trail running in the alps17:00 Marathon training block vs. having fun21:47 Berlin Marathon24:44 Know your fitness 31:01 Ben & Toms running adventure32:23 Cycling the Isle of Wight37:41 Love Trails Festival39:17 Volunteering at Reading Festival47:25 Amy Harris at Glastonbury 202748:45 Eden Project again52:23 Insane world of parkrun tourism56:23 Coffee Corner01:05:47 Cycling the coast of Wales01:28:59 Substack01:30:01 Men's mental health01:36:41 Indie Sleaze01:40:26 Great British Misadventures
Oct 27, 2025
1 hr 54 min

At the age of 50, while most people are thinking about slowing down, Jacquetta Megarry decided to speed up - on foot. A career in ICT was swapped for muddy boots and mountain paths after one frustrating but hugely adventurous hike along the West Highland Way sparked a bold idea: to create waterproof, lightweight, beautifully crafted guidebooks that could actually survive the Scottish weather.That spark became Rucksack Readers, now a 25-year success story with over 40 titles covering the UK’s best long-distance trails - and a few far-flung adventures from Kilimanjaro to Antarctica. In this episode, we about the joy of multi-day hiking, the art of turning passion into purpose, and the power of taking a giant leap midlife. Jacquetta shares the lessons she’s learned from a second career built on adventure, her advice for tackling altitude sickness, and we discuss how to make the most of every summer before it slips away.It’s a conversation not just about walking - but also about courage, creativity, and how to keep exploring, no matter your age.Find out more about Rucksack Readers here: https://www.rucsacs.com/Support the podcast: Get a whopping 65% off your first Gousto box at: https://www.gousto.co.uk/raf/?promo_code=TOM42277653Get in contact:https://www.instagram.com/tombryanyeah/https://www.facebook.com/greatbritishadventurespodcasthttps://www.threads.net/@tombryanyeahTimestamps:00:00 Intro02:22 London life vs. Rural Scotland Life05:34 50th Birthday inspiration07:19 Rucksack Readers12:39 The adventures of a multi-day hike16:39 Following your interests to make a career out of it18:44 Managing altitude sickness23:59 Creating a career around lifestyle26:36 Taking a leap aged 5030:03 Persistance and resilience within a creative pursuit34:47 Setting manageable itineraries38:58 Golden Eagle Encounter41:02 Solo tours vs. company45:06 Access rights48:45 Age is just a number50:46 Making time for these journeys51:49 Bad weather54:58 Different takes on adventure58:35 Research vs. Curiosity01:00:43 How preconceptions of places can be wrong01:05:55 Tom's summer story01:12:21 Midges in Scotland01:16:11 Jacquetta's favourite trails01:20:42 It's not always about the destination01:23:58 Hunter gatherers01:25:02 Technology on the trails01:28:19 Making retirement a career
Oct 13, 2025
1 hr 32 min

Horatio Clare is one of Britain’s most captivating writers and broadcasters. From trekking across two continents following the migration of swallows, to voyaging on container ships, to writing about mental health and the natural world, his work is rooted in curiosity, humanity, and a deep urge to understand the world around us.In this episode, we dive into his brand new book We Came by Sea – a fearless exploration of migration across the English Channel and the stories of those who are helping in what Horatio hails as one of the great search and rescue operations of all time. Horatio talks about immersing himself in both sides of the debate, from spending time in right-wing pubs to listening on the ground in Dover. He shares what he witnessed first-hand at the frontline of Britain’s migration crisis, and why he believes current government policies are not just failing but wasting money.We also step behind the curtain of his writing life: how he shapes ideas, the craft of putting words to paper, and why writing remains for him both an art and an act of public service. For more information on Horatio and his books: https://horatioclarewriter.com/Support the podcast: Get a whopping 65% off your first Gousto box at: https://www.gousto.co.uk/raf/?promo_code=TOM42277653Mentioned in the Conversation:Horatio's BBC Radio 4 documentary 'Into The West': https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002h9npGet in contact:https://www.instagram.com/tombryanyeah/https://www.facebook.com/greatbritishadventurespodcasthttps://www.threads.net/@tombryanyeahCHAPTERS00:00 Intro02:47 The Welsh Coastline09:17 What it means to be Welsh12:10 British Journalism & their tactics16:07 Horatio's interest in the Dover crossings18:39 Pushbacks21:08 Nigel Farage's vision22:34 Dover's 'Boom-town'24:47 Refugees not assylum seekers or migrants27:35 Making refugee soldiers29:05 The true cost of border enforcement31:31 Other countries methods33:38 Tom witnessing boat crossings35:45 They believe Britain isn't racist37:30 Volunteers looking after welfare41:00 Comparisons between mental health system and asylum43:01 What does it mean to be British?47:41 Horatio's craft as a writer51:34 Research in travel literature55:49 Lessons from Anna Gavalda58:32 Writing from a container ship
Sep 29, 2025
1 hr 1 min

What happens when you mix sewage pollution in our rivers with the creative, rebellious soul of Bristolians?The answer is Rave On For The Avon - a documentary about Bristol’s wild swimming community and their complicated, joyous relationship with the very waters others treat as a dumping ground.In this episode I sit down filmmakers Charlotte Sawyer and Aggie Nyagari, to explore how their cameras captured one community’s joyful yet defiant battle to reclaim the River Avon.We dive deep into the questions of access, ecology, and the very human need to connect with water. Charlotte and Aggie reveal how the Avon swimmers turned playfulness into protest, from data collection to mermaid costumes - and why sewage, though shocking, is just 4% of the problem.Our conversation ranges from the poetic - attempts to give the river legal personhood - to the profoundly personal, including Meg’s extraordinary story of marrying the River Avon. We discuss how the film’s reception is already reshaping perceptions of rivers, and why falling in love with nature might be the most radical thing we can do in the face of environmental crisis.This is an episode about activism, creativity, and community - but above all, it’s about remembering that rivers are not just scenery. They are living, breathing systems that we depend on, and perhaps even kin.Find a screening of Rave on for The Avon here: https://www.eightysita.com/raveonfortheavondocumentarySupport the podcast: Get a whopping 65% off your first Gousto box at: https://www.gousto.co.uk/raf/?promo_code=TOM42277653Get in contact:https://www.instagram.com/tombryanyeah/https://www.facebook.com/greatbritishadventurespodcasthttps://www.threads.net/@tombryanyeah
Sep 15, 2025
1 hr 31 min

In May 2025, Sarah Ruggins made history.She became the fastest person to cycle from John O’Groats to Land’s End and back, covering the 1,677-mile route in an astonishing 5 days, 11 hours, and 14 minutes.Sarah didn’t just smash the women’s record - she claimed the outright record.But what makes her achievement all the more extraordinary is everything she had to overcome to get there.Just over two years earlier, she had barely ridden a bike. Before that, she spent years recovering from a debilitating illness that stripped her of her physical strength and sense of identity. And yet, through grit, precision, and an unshakeable mindset, she transformed herself from a complete novice into one of the most elite endurance cyclists in the world.This episode is about more than athletic achievement, it’s a story of what happens when you set an audacious goal, back it with discipline, and believe that setbacks are just the start of something greater.Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarah_ruggins/Mentioned in the Podcast:The Bike Project: https://thebikeproject.co.uk/Bikes for Refugees: https://www.bikesforrefugees.scot/Support the podcast: Get a whopping 65% off your first Gousto box at: https://www.gousto.co.uk/raf/?promo_code=TOM42277653Get in contact:https://www.instagram.com/tombryanyeah/https://www.facebook.com/greatbritishadventurespodcasthttps://www.threads.net/@tombryanyeah
Jun 16, 2025
1 hr 10 min
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