Megabikes across Europe

By Megan Cumberlidge

A few days ago I arrived back in the UK after cycling solo and unsupported across Europe, from London to Athens. The 5631km ride took me through 14 countries over 88 days. 

I had spent many years reading about other peoples adventures then had an epiphany, the only thing that was stopping me was deciding to go! After a relatively short planning period I had a rather ad-hoc approach to planning and made up most of my route on a day to day basis. This meant that I could get tips from those I met on the road.

During the journey I conquered my fear of wild camping and was often hosted by local people I met along the way. The kindness I was shown was astonishing as people regularly offered me a bed, food and far too many shots of lethal spirits!

I am now a firm believer in the mantra that flat is boring. My highlights occurred without exception in the mountains, leg burning ascents almost always result in incredible views. And ever worse flat generally means headwinds! 

I learnt many lessons from the trip, in particular:

- The world is an incredibly friendly and beautiful place.

- You are capable of more than you realise.

- It is possible to live your dreams!

Megan

Website: www.megabikes.wordpress.com
Twitter: Megglec

Reading to Reading on Two Wheels

Our next Tribe story comes from Fin and Tim... thank you Fin for your words and for sharing your exciting Say YES story...

After a year working and travelling around Australia my partner Tim and I had both fallen in love with the freedom and excitement of the nomadic way of life. We loved the fact that we could stay somewhere for a couple of weeks and then move on to somewhere new. Things never got boring when there was always a different part of the country to see and different people to meet.  Having the opportunity to take a year out to purely enjoy our lives and gain amazing memories was really special and we loved it.

Then we came back home….and back to reality with a bump.

Broke and with nowhere to live we moved in with Tim’s parents in Reading.  I mean Tim’s parents are lovely and all but we needed a job and fast so that we could get out of there and into a flat of our own! We ended up taking the first jobs we could find… working in an office in the complaints department of a call centre. Not fun.

After a year we realised that we were stuck in jobs that we really didn’t like and that didn’t make us happy.  Stuck in a boring routine.  One day we were at the pub and little did I know but Tim was about to ask me something that I really wasn't expecting. 

"What would you say if I asked you to cycle around the world with me?"

"Erm...?!"  I wasn't quite sure what to say to be honest! 

The idea scared me, but there was definitely something about it that really appealed - freedom, the open road, no more bloody call centre!!!  

Could a normal girl like me really do something like that? Was it even possible? I wasn't sure yet but something told me that I should grab this opportunity. I wanted to see the world and this would allow me to see more of it than I had ever dreamed. I said YES!

So it was decided.  Over the next year we saved as much as we could.  For our birthdays and Christmas we bought each other useful gifts, things that we would need for the trip eg Ortleib panniers, a Brooks saddle, a Kindle and camping gear.

Tim started volunteering at the Reading Bike Kitchen so he could learn how to fix our bikes if we got into trouble and it was there that he learnt how to build a bike from scratch. He built his own custom made bike from old parts of other bikes.  I found my bike second-hand on ebay for £120!  We weren’t going to let the fact that we didn’t have a huge budget stand in our way.

On the May 4th last year we set off from Reading, giving ourselves two years to reach Reading in the US! We carried a tent, a camping stove,  a bag of bike tools, a few changes of clothes and a fairly large dose of trepidation (I know I did anyway!) 

Oh God!  This is really happening?! What have I got myself into????  Is it too late to change my mind??!

But there was no turning back. So off we went, scared, excited, and ready for whatever surprises the adventure would throw at us! 

It is now a year a half later and I am writing this from Auckland library in New Zealand.  We are half way through our trip.  To get to this point we have travelled through 27 Countries and cycled 24,500kms.  The trip has taken us through towns, cities and villages in Europe, Central Asia, China, South East Asia and Australia. We have slept on the banks of rivers, in forests, on beaches and by the side of the road. We have crossed mountains as high as 3,800 meters in sub-zero temperatures. We have cycled through deserts in Kazachstan and China, and battled headwinds that made you want to cry (and many times I did!)

We have been invited to stay the night in mosques, in temples, huge houses and tin huts.  We have shared food, laughter and stories with so many people from all around world: Romanians,  Azerbaijanis, Kyrgs, Chinese, Vietnamese, Turkishthe list goes on and on and  we have been  so lucky to meet people who have been so amazingly kind and generous.

When I think of all the places I have seen and people that I have met it’s like there is a secret corner of my heart where these memories stay. They make me happy and they are a part of me now. I am a stronger person for having had these experiences and I wouldn’t swap them for anything. Although at times things get tough, I cannot wait for the next part of the trip! 

The next stage of the adventure is to travel to Ushaia in Patagonia, the southernmost city in the world. From there we will make our way north. We will cycle through South, Central and North America and up to our final destination of Reading, Pennsylvania! 

I know that some of the toughest challenges are yet to come. The Andes in South America are higher than any mountain we've encountered so far and going above 4,000 meters will mean that we will have to deal with the effects of altitude and extreme weather. I'm nervous but I will of course give it my best shot. After all, I've got this far! 

When we started this journey we weren't very fit, we didn't have a lot of money but we went and did it anyway. 

If you wait until every condition is perfect you may never begin. If there's something you want to do you just have to go for it. You won't regret it. 

 Just say YES!!!

Read about our adventures here on our blog.

Rafting the Danube

Today's Tribe Story comes from Sarah and Matthes, serial adventurers based in Berlin who have shared with us their latest tale of their rafting excursion down the Danube.

Massive thanks to Sarah and Matthes for sharing their story, pictures and inspiring advice!

Who: Sarah and Matthes

What do they do: Freelancers (translation and event concepts/digital start-up), but going on adventures whenever they can

Living in: Berlin

Say YES Adventure: Rafting the Danube

Over the course of two summers, we built a raft and travelled down the Danube from Germany to Hungary, a journey of nearly 900km passing through three European capitals. I can’t tell you exactly where Matthes got the idea for this adventure, but I know that it got mentioned several times over the years as we planned various other trips until 2014 when we decided to look into it further. To put it briefly, this research led to us deciding that rafting the Danube was “too expensive” and “too complicated” so we ended up buying a pedalo and pedalling from Prague to Berlin instead. You know, because that’s the obvious alternative.

The next year, we decided to say YES to the raft again and went about planning with more determination. There were lots of times when I wanted to say “no” to the adventure and pick something easier – it was too expensive, we didn’t know how to build a raft, we couldn’t find a suitable motor, there was too much bureaucracy involved to get permits, there was too much equipment we would have to buy, it was too much for just two people to plan by themselves, we needed other teammates to join us but no one wanted to commit – in short, there seemed to be endless reasons why it was “too difficult” and why it “would never work”. 

But we kept saying YES. 

We applied for permits, we bought maps, we found equipment, we transported 5.5 metre-long inflatable tubes in our tiny Smart car, we made multiple trips to the DIY store, we cajoled friends and strangers into joining us and finally it all seemed to come together.

The first year we travelled from Regensburg to Vienna on the 2m x 5m raft that we (somehow) built. We had originally hoped to make it all the way to Budapest in the two weeks we had given ourselves, but we soon learnt that building a raft is no easy task and repair days, motor problems and a fair bit of sightseeing meant that progress was slower than originally hoped. Nevertheless, it was still an incredible adventure with more than our fair share of highs and lows not to mention cruising through luscious valleys and sun-drenched vineyards, camping beside the river every night, exploring towns and villages along the way and getting swept away by the slower pace of life along the river.

We reached Vienna without any plan of how to wrap up the journey, but needing to catch a train back to Berlin two days later. After asking several rowing and canoe clubs, we eventually found a marina that kindly allowed us to dismantle the raft and store it there. Problem solved!

A year passed and we felt we had some unfinished business with the raft so we wanted to continue the journey. Some more planning, updating of licences and more cajoling of friends and strangers on the internet to put a team together was all that was needed. Before we knew it, we were packing our bags again and heading back to the Danube.

The second leg of the trip, from Vienna to Paks in central Hungary felt considerably more relaxed than the first year. Not only were we armed with the knowledge from last year that had enabled us to build a better, stronger raft, but our outboard motor (a.k.a. Gandalf) caused us fewer problems and the lower traffic volume meant that we could spend long periods just floating along in glorious silence. There were still some worries such as whether or not we would be allowed through the final lock in Gabcikovo and what the internet strangers we’d accepted to the adventure would be like, but somehow everything always seemed to work out in our favour. Or maybe it was just our optimistic attitude that made it feel like everything was working out?

For me, the biggest highlight of the whole trip was passing through Budapest on the raft. It’s a city that a) I love and b) has a gorgeous waterfront and this was an image that had been in my head ever since we started talking about building a raft. To finally cruise past the beautiful Parliament building and underneath those famous bridges really felt like we had achieved what we set out to do and I just had a big silly grin plastered across my face the whole time.

The greatest challenge was being so dependent on other people – we needed team members and anywhere we stopped we had to rely on strangers to help us out. Having to ask others for help can be quite intimidating and it certainly put me outside of my comfort zone (I can be kind of shy and awkward), but time and again we were rewarded with generosity and help from people we’d only just met. Starting at the campsite in Kehlheim where we borrowed ALL their tools to build the raft, there were then people who towed us when the motor failed, who carried the raft in and out of the water, who let us use their rowing clubs/WiFi/electricity/jetties/storage rooms/fork lift trucks, who helped fix the raft after the motor tore the back panel off and took a dive into the water, who gave us directions, recommended guide books or let us camp on their ground – I am so grateful to all of you! The good thing about the raft is that it’s pretty eye-catching anyway, thus making a good conversation starter wherever we were. This dream could never have come true without the help of so many kind people who said YES to us along the way.

There are three things I would say to people who want to go on a similar kind of adventure (whether that means building your own form of transport, travelling down a river or organising a group trip): 

1. Be positive. With so many unknown factors (different people, weather, raft-building skills, river conditions etc.) you need to be able to adapt and handle whatever situation you may find yourself in and the best way to do this is with a “can do” attitude. There is always a solution!
2. Know some basic DIY skills, take safety and regulations seriously (they’re there for a reason), but don’t let them get in the way of your fun. 
3. Go for it! You can make it happen!

If you want to know more about building the raft or travelling in this area, you can check out our blog or just send me a message! Incidentally, our raft is for sale and perfectly positioned to continue a journey down the Danube through Hungary, Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Moldova and Romania! 

As for our next adventure, we don’t know yet! We’ll be participating in a hot air balloon festival in Egypt in December, but haven’t planned anything beyond that. After all these river escapades it’s quite likely to be a) land-based and b) minimalistic. Suggestions on a postcard please!

Walking the Length of New Zealand

Words by Tribe member Adele-Ivy Harris

After being in Nepal last year during the earthquake, the imbalances of the world were evident. We had the opportunity to leave to continue travelling when others had to stay and rebuild their lives. We decided to use that opportunity to raise as much money as possible to rebuild schools in Nepal. 

Carl Hutchinson came up with the idea... "We could just walk the entire length of New Zealand?!" 

I said YES!

And last month WE MADE IT!!!!!! 193 days and 1800 miles from Bluff to Cape Reinga

Strong memories from the last 6 months were played over as we neared the end. Summer days starting out with the burning sun nearly defeating us, the first intense uphill where Carl hit a brick wall and struggled on, feeding on sugary chocolate, the road walk towards Mavora Lakes where I nearly fainted and we took breaks every 20 minutes sweating still in the shade, Breast Hill Track, the first time weighed down with 7 days of food with tears all the way up, so overwhelmed by the hard work ahead. And the blisters. So. Many. Blisters. 

We laughed at the difficulties of the first 6 weeks when the vast difference in our fitness levels and walking speeds caused frictions (which never lasted more than 5 minutes), and laughed once again at all the stupid things laughed at a million times before. Then reminisced about the moments of complete satisfaction, complete happiness, complete joy at the connection we've gained with the nature once so foreign but became our home. Dips in crystal clear mountain rivers refreshing our tired bodies, the feeling on reaching the top of a peak that's been the focus all day, the magical forests, fiery sunsets, the roaring stags. We had fallen in holes, fallen in rivers, and fallen in love with the raw beauty around us. And there is just far too much to say about all the kind-hearted people who have enriched our lives, each teaching us valuable life lessons. 

Cape Reinga came into sight - with the lighthouse signifying the end of this journey which began 15 months ago with the earthquake in Nepal - and emotions came flooding through. We so wanted to run, but forced ourselves to walk, to absorb. And then we were there, the finishing line, and with tears mingling Carl asked me to marry him.

1868 miles walked
193 days since setting off
£8900 raised Himalayan Trust

1 question popped (I said yes!!!!) 

We began as novice hikers, and ended with the feeling that anything can be achieved, as long as you keep putting one foot in front of the other.

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YesTribe Stories - Round Up

The YesTribe is a community turning ideas into action, whether that be encouraging adventurous thinking, finding (or creating) work we love, getting involved in charities or simply designing a lifestyle that fits perfectly with our individual personalities and needs.

We're going to be regularly sharing YesTribe stories and here's our latest bunch of brilliant and inspiring YesTribe stories of those who are making life more memorable.

Do you want to feature? No idea is too small, journey too short, we welcome all stories old and new - share yours at SayYesMore.

Chaz Powell - The Wildest Journey: walking the length of the Zambezi River

Chaz is currently attempting to walk the Length of the Zambezi river. He's expecting it to take 6 months and is currently 400 miles and 1 month along. 

It is a solo and unaided walk, starting at the source of the river in the Kalene Hills in North Western Zambia, then following the River for 1599 miles through Angola, Zambia and Mozambique, until eventually reaching the Indian Ocean.

Chaz says 'My reasons for wanting to walk the Zambezi is because I'm a passionate adventurer and want to challenge myself in the wildest of environment's.'

You can follow Chaz and send some support and encouragement on his Facebook and Website, or donate to the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation here.

Olivia Rutherford - Walked the Camino de Santiago

This Summer 2016 Olivia Rutherford walked the Camino de Santiago, a 500 mile stretch across Spain from St Jean Pied de Port in the French Pyrenees to Santiago in North West Spain.

Olivia says 'it was the most incredible experience and having just finished my A-levels it was a great adventure for me.' 

Amazing stuff! Read more about Olivia's experience and get in touch here.

Wolfgang Haak: Sea Kayaking the Swedish Archipelago

Wolfgang is heading off on Sunday to the Swedish Archipelago (1000s of small, uninhabited islands dotted around clear, tranquil waters) for a sea kayaking adventure for 7-10 days! 

Have a great trip!

Aaron Mitchell - Attempting to ride solo round the world on motorbike

In 2014, Aaron embarked on his first motorcycle adventure around Western Europe, which inspired his current adventure where he is attempting to ride solo around the world, unsupported. He is currently in California and hopes to complete his trip in 2017.

Aaron is raising money for the Royal Bristol Legion. 

You can find out more and follow Aaron's progress through his website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.

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Have you been inspired by any of these stories? Do you have your own to share? We’d love to hear about it. The YesTribe is a community that is free to anyone who is looking to make life less restricted, more enjoyable, more interesting and more memorable. Your story doesn’t need to be an endurance adventure, many of the YesTribe are making films, raising money for good causes and developing the community. 

We’d love to hear from you, share your stories here at Say Yes More or join the Yes Tribe Facebook group to connect with fellow YesTribers. 

Make life memorable, Say Yes More!

Wild Camping - A Microcosm For The Spirit Of The Yes Tribe

Laura Maisey - Yes Tribe campout leader and Running Home From Rome.

This summer, I became the Yes Tribe campout leader and it has been the loveliest way to contribute to and participate in this amazing community. It has been fantastic for me personally as it has meant I got out once a week and wild-camped. Given that I am on the verge of a three month, 1249 mile run from Rome to London, my need to become comfortable with wildcamping was quite urgent and leading the campouts this summer has done that. I now feel totally ready for this element of my trip, which I definitely did not before leading campouts. I love every part of the process - visiting the site beforehand to do a reccy for good camping spots, organising what train to get, baking bread/cakes/biscuits to take.

These campouts embody everything I have come to regard as integral to the Tribe. We all bring snacks to share when we reach our camping spot (I have a routine I call the tearing-sharing bread circle, in which we tear pieces off a loaf while introducing ourselves). We share stories over a campfire. We make connections that lead to amazing things (Kate and Andy of SUP The Danube fame met at a campout). We lend each other kit (there is very rarely a campout in which someone isn't using borrowed kit, usually from a fellow Yes Triber!). We embrace the night and the fresh air and relish sleeping under the trees and stars. Then we wake with the sun, usually sit around chatting for a while then slowly potter back to the station and to our indoor lives knowing that, for one night, we shared an awesome special moment together under the stars.

Twitter: RHFR99

Facebook: RunningHomeFromRome

YesTribe Stories - Round Up

2 September 2016

The YesTribe is a community turning ideas into action, whether that be encouraging adventurous thinking, finding (or creating) work we love, getting involved in charities or simply designing a lifestyle that fits perfectly with our individual personalities and needs.

We're going to be regularly sharing YesTribe stories and here's our latest bunch of brilliant and inspiring YesTribe stories of those who are making life more memorable.

Do you want to feature? No idea is too small, journey too short, we welcome all stories old and new - share yours at SayYesMore.

Melanie Joe & Michelle Ellison - Source 2 Sea, Thames River Relay

The Thames River Relay kicked off this week, which is a Totally Thames Festival event aiming to promote the use of the River Thames recreationally and to raise awareness of the health of the river. This is a community event that aims to encourage people of all ages and abilities to use the river recreationally and most importantly to have fun on our waterways.

In support of this initiative, Yes Tribers Mel and Michelle have organised an SUP paddling relay running the length of the Thames!! To find out more, follow the journey or get involved check out the Facebook page.

The YesTribe are taking part between Eynsham and Oxford on Saturday 3rd September, show your support and find out more here.

Jon Beardmore - Film Maker. The Great Game: 30,000 miles across Central Asia

Inspired by a game of cricket in Kabul, Jon set out on an extraordinary nine-month solo overland journey across Central Asia in a 20 year Landcruiser called Boris and only his mascot Kiwi Ted for company. He set off with one burning question in mind - is Central Asia really as dangerous as we're led to believe?

Since returning Jon has created a brilliant film which has won the Adventure Travel Film Festival 'New Talent Award' for 2016.

If you haven't had chance to see it yet, the next viewing is in London at the the London Charity Premiere on 8th October 2016. You can get your tickets here.

You can find out more about The Great Game through Facebook and the website, @thegreatgamemovie. You can also find out more about what Jon's up to on his Facebook page.

Slow Travel Girls - Geraldine (Ged) McFaul and Erin Williams

A YesTribe shout out to the Slow Travel Girls who last year walked from Cardiff to the source of the river Thames and then onto London, to raise money for Hope & Homes for Children and StoryCorps. Since then, they have spoken at a Night of Adventures sharing what they learned along the way.

You can follow them on Facebook and check out their website to find out more about their experience, who they met and what they learned on their way. Oh and be sure to watch their presentation! What's next?

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Have you been inspired by any of these stories? Do you have your own to share? We’d love to hear about it. The YesTribe is a community that is free to anyone who is looking to make life less restricted, more enjoyable, more interesting and more memorable. Your story doesn’t need to be an endurance adventure, many of the YesTribe are making films, raising money for good causes and developing the community. 

We’d love to hear from you, share your stories here at Say Yes More or join the Yes Tribe Facebook group to connect with fellow YesTribers. 

Make life memorable, Say Yes More!

YesTribe campout at Hadleigh Castle with Elise Downing

This past Tuesday (23rd August) saw the largest Yes Tribe campout to date, under a night sky filled with shooting stars framed by the stunning backdrop of Haleigh Castle. Over 40 friends and strangers, had travelled together in small groups some by bike, others by train to the small seaside town of Leigh-on-Sea. After embracing the old age tradition of fish and chips, we walked the short distance up the hill to where we would be camping that evening. Along the way conversations about our lives, our passions and our shared love of being outdoors took place; a complete norm for a Yes Tribe campout.* There was one part of this campout, however, that was not normal.

In November 2015 Elise Downing set off from London to run around the coast of the UK, and now over 5000 miles later is nearing the end of her journey. Elise (who has been coming to Yes Tribe campouts right from their beginning last summer) has had her fair share of adventures these past few months, sharing them all with humility and much laughter. She quietly inspires, and her astonishing accomplishment is a wonderful slice (she adores cake) of the Yes Tribe. This campout was planned so that in return we could show how much she means to us.

Before settling down in our bivi bags for the night, we all sat together on the hill sharing positive moments, planned trips and in Elise’s honour, cake. As with every Yes Tribe campout new friendships were formed, and new joint adventures planned. The next morning the beautiful sunrise set the perfect scene to head back down the hill to our different homes. The air rang with laughter and ongoing conversations, each person gently encouraging the other to persuade dreams. Elise pulled on her trainers and ran down the hill with others joining her for the day, the very essence of the Yes Tribe – making her life memorable.      

*This campout was just one in the Yes Tribe summer series that has seen dozens of people explore Greater London together, sharing their stories and dreams, and adding to our growing community, you can find out about and sign up to upcoming Yes Tribe campouts and events on Facebook.

Elise finishes her 5000 miles tomorrow (27th September), come and join her for her Run the Coast Finish Line Picnic. 

Catch up on Elise's Run the Coast journey on Facebook. 

Author: Kate Davis

Adventure Accomplished - Tanganyika Paddle Expedition

Some of you may be aware that I set out a five weeks ago to try and kayak the length of the longest freshwater lake in the world, Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania. 

What started out as a desire to explore this fairly remote eastern shoreline of Lake Tanganyika, has turned into more than I could ever have imagined. I am pleased and relieved to let you know that after 25 paddling days, and a distance of approximately 750km, I have completed the lake from south to north.

As far as I'm aware, the full length has been completed by four men, so it is very possible that I am the fifth person and first woman to do so by non-motorised water transportation.

I started the journey with a fellow South African, Simon Dunshea, who paddled with me from the most southern most town, Mpulungu in Zambia, up to Kigoma in Tanzania. From Kigoma onward, I had the pleasure of paddling with Tanzanian guide, Gaspar Kazumbe, to the most northern point, Bujumbura in Burundi. 

I am fairly used to planning expeditions, but anyone who has joined me in this undertaking will attest to the fact that best laid plans almost always go awry and the true measure of a successful expedition is how one deals with shortcomings and finding alternate plans when all seems lost. 

This couldn’t have been more true on this journey, and just a week ago I was still being denied access into Burundi. Sometimes taking a small risk and seizing an unlikely opportunity makes all the difference and I honestly feel that the drawbacks and delays that I experienced over the course of the expedition triggered alternate plans which worked far better than initial arrangements. 

I have so many people to thank – people who have gone out of their way to ensure that I have the best possible chance of success, friends who have assisted with contacts, opened up their homes, encouraged me from near and far.

Thanks so much to Niall McCann and Jason Lewis for your guidance on long distance paddling expeditions, Lev Wood and Leon McCarron for essential satellite navigation and tracking equipment, Kingsley Holgate and Bruce Leslie for much needed encouragement and for crucial insight into Burundi in particular, and to Roy Watt and Brad Hansen for opening up their homes to me.

But the biggest thanks need to go to my parents, Margi & Barney Dillon (UK), Luke & Chloe Davey (Nairobi, Kenya), Louise & Chris Horsfall (Lake Shore Lodge, Tanzania) and Ingrid and Oddvar Jakobsen (Kigoma, Tanzania) who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to assist with logistics, contacts and so much more. They have invested their time and energy into making, what is largely a very selfish venture, possible and I can’t thank them enough.

For anyone who wishes to read more about the journey, I have a blog (www.london2cape.com), which I will update over the next few weeks. I will also be submitting a report to the Royal Geographical Society for their archives. Please let me know if you would like a copy of this report and I will be happy to forward it on to you.

I trust you all are well and hope to see some of you very soon back in London.

Onward in the quest for an adventurous life,

Shara

ACCOMMODATION SPONSORS

• Lake Shore Lodge – Kipili, Tanzania
• Nomads Greystoke – Mahale, Tanzania
• Lupita Island – Kipili, Tanzania
• Isanga Bay – Mpulungu, Zambia
• Jakobsens Beach – Kigoma, Tanzania

EQUIPMENT SPONSORS

• Palm Equipment Paddling Gear
• Overboard Dry Bags 
• Rail Riders Clothing
• Osprey Backpacks
• Tracks4Africa Navigation

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Thank you Shara for sharing your story! Have you been inspired by Shara's story? Do you have your own to share? We’d love to hear about it. The YesTribe is a community that is free to anyone who is looking to make life less restricted, more enjoyable, more interesting and more memorable. Your story doesn’t need to be an endurance adventure, many of the YesTribe are making films, raising money for good causes and developing the community. 

We’d love to hear from you, share your stories here at Say Yes More or join the Yes Tribe Facebook group to connect with fellow YesTribers. 

Make life memorable, Say Yes More!

YesTribe Stories - Round-Up

The YesTribe is a community turning ideas into action. Many of the you are either on adventures or planning the next one, so we at YesTribe are going to put these all together and share, with many more to come!

Show your support for our YesTribers out on adventures now…

Lindsey Cole: Walking the Rabbit Proof Fence

Lindsey Cole is currently walking 1,000 miles along the Rabbit Proof Fence in the Australian wilderness, solo… go Lindsey!

Inspired by the true story recounted in the novel and film Follow the Rabbit Proof Fence, Lindsey is retracing Molly, Daisy and Grace’s steps and walking 1,000 miles from Moore River Native Settlement to Jigalong, following the Rabbit Proof Fence.

Lindsey says “I’ve got a sat phone, Epirb, walking trailer carrying my food, water lalalalala. And they just did it in their nighties. Totally incredible!!!!”

Lindsey has been walking solo since 11th July!! Send your support and connect with Lindsey (and Trevor her trusty 2 wheeled steed) on Facebook here. 

Shara Dillon: Under African Skies

Shara Dillon is taking part in her first water bound expedition and is currently paddling the length of the largest freshwater lake in the world, Lake Tanganyika! Check our her recent trek to see chimps in the wild at the Mahale National Park — incredible. Fingers crossed for Burundi visa!

Connect with Shara and follow her adventure through Facebook, Twitter and her website.

Adam Sultan: RideTheWorld

A list of Yes Tribe adventurers would be amiss without mention of Adam Sultan, serial adventurer. Adam left the London 2012 Olympic Velodrome on 18th June 2016 and is going to cycle the world. Adam is currently exploring Chamonix while following the 2014 Tour de France route.

Adam says “I plan to fully immerse myself in the cultures of the world and live unique experiences. My desire to take on an adventure of such magnitude is to gain a better understanding of the world and its inhabitants; exposing myself to nature at its rawest and people at their most delightful.”

Looks like you’re having a blast Adam, we’re looking forward to seeing where your adventure takes you.

You can find out more at Adam’s website and follow his journey on Facebook.

Elise Downing: Run the Coast

Since November 2015 Elise Downing has been running around the UK coast, eating lots of cake and getting wonderful support along the way.

Elise is on the home straight now and strides back into London on 27th August! You can come and wave her in at the Greenwich Park Boating pond at 2pm. 

Send some support to Elise through her Facebook and if you fancy popping a few bob in her charity’s piggy bank you can sponser her here.

Tommy Scargill: The Hopeful Vagabond

Tommy Scargill is taking part in an epic cycle ride from UK to China, he’s 11 countries down, back en route following a quick visa pit stop. You can follow Tommy’s journey as he heads to his next stop Estonia and find out about all of his other adventures through Facebook, Instagram and his website.

Tommy’s raising money for the Royal Marsden Hospital which he stays saved his life from cancer twice, you can sponsor Tommy here.

BECKY COPUS - PEG IT TO THE COAST

The second stage of an ongoing fundraising mission in aid of Diabetes UK, Becky is currently cycling from Winnipeg to the coast in Canada.

YesTribe adventurers in training…

GangesSUP

In Autumn 2016 Spike Reid, Shilpka Guatam and Pascal Dubois will set off down the River Ganges in the first-ever attempt to stand-up paddleboard from source to sea.

The team are undertaking this precarious journey to raise awareness on plastic pollution and water quality and help clean up the ‘River of Life’.

They recently completed a 300km training route on the River Shannon against strong winds and are now back in the UK excitedly preparing for their Ganges SUP challenge.

Follow their story and preparations on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and on their website. 

And now for YesTribe recent returners: 

Kate Davis & Andy Bartlett: SUP the Danube

A warm welcome back to solid ground to Kate Davis and Andy Bartlett who recently returned from their epic journey along the Danube. They began paddling on 3rd March and returned nearly 5 months later!!

It’s been fantastic to follow your videos, pictures and posts along the way. An incredibly inspirational journey full of determination, endurance and positivity even when faced with unexpected hurdles along the way. We look forward to hearing more about what you’ve taken away from your experience and thank you for sharing.

For those who want to find out more and catch up on their immense adventure, check out Facebook, their website, Kate’s Twitter, Andy’s Twitter and Andy’s Instagram.

Stace Martin: 1,000 mile cycle

Massive congratulations to Stace Martin who completed his first non-motorised adventure by cycling from John O’Groats to Lands End! Oh and also raised a fantastic £1,000 for the Wildlife Friends Foundation in Thailand.

Nice one Stace. For those of you who missed it you can follow Stace here on Facebook.

Greg Harradine - Glasgow to London by ElliptiGO

Read more about Greg's swift 450 mile romp on an elliptical trainer with wheels in this blog.

Have you been inspired by any of these stories? Do you have your own to share? We’d love to hear about it. The YesTribe is a community that is free to anyone who is looking to make life less restricted, more enjoyable, more interesting and more memorable. Your story doesn’t need to be an endurance adventure, many of the YesTribe are making films, raising money for good causes and developing the community. 

We’d love to hear from you, share your stories here at Say Yes More or join the Yes Tribe Facebook group to connect with fellow YesTribers. 

Make life memorable, Say Yes More!

Author: Emma Masding