Laura Devlin,Norfolkand
Debbie Tubby,Norfolk
Josh Kohler/Instagram
Josh and George Kohler from Great Yarmouth are raising money for Unicef while cycling the globe
A father and son hoping to cycle their way into the record books have told how the kindness of strangers has been the standout of their round-the-world adventure.
George and Josh Kohler left their home near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, in March and have already cycled across Europe, Uzbekistan, China, Thailand and Indonesia.
They aim to be back on home soil in May, potentially with three world records as the first father and son to have cycled the furthest, the fastest and through the most countries, while raising thousands for Unicef.
“It’s been incredible – the things we’ve seen and the people we’ve met have completely blown us away,” said Josh, 22.
“I don’t think we anticipated the kindness of strangers we’ve met along the way in every single country – it’s been the common theme throughout.
“The generosity of free accommodation, food or just a bottle of water, it means a lot to us.
“We had breakfast with a shepherd in Turkey, who cooked us eggs and cheese.
“It was a very wholesome moment we got to share with him and a little insight into his life in the middle of nowhere.”
Kohler family
The intrepid pair have ridden through Tibet…
The pair are behind schedule for the fastest ride but have instead changed their route, hoping to set a new record for visiting the most countries.
They spoke to the BBC from a remote roadhouse in the Nullabor Plain in the Australian outback, a 1,200km (745-mile) stretch of desert which they described as the toughest ride so far.
“There’s a surreal beauty to the desert, but the psychological pressure is quite high,” said 56-year-old George.
“We are cycling along roads tens of miles long without a single bend – they just go on forever through brutal headwinds.”
Kohler family
Taking in the stunning sights in western Australia
He said the very few low points – including his bike’s gears failing in Indonesia, and Josh’s bike coming a cropper in Uzbekistan – were “turned into highs” when they overcame them.
“Every day surprises us, it’s a complete assault on the senses,” added George.
“The kindness of strangers has been consistent, from all countries and from every walk of life.
“Visually, the most incredible times have been the likes of in Cappadocia [Turkey], opening the tent and seeing hot air balloons, or overlooking rice terraces in China that are on the scale of the Grand Canyon.
“Just so many incredible memories; to see and feel and smell and get a sense of the history behind these amazing places.”
Josh Kohler/Instagram
Josh said they woke up to a “fairytale” in Cappadocia
Josh said they had also got on well together, bar a few sleepless nights in the tent due to his father’s snoring.
“We’ll get through this, and the memories we are making are amazing, and we’ll look back at this as such an incredible thing to have done together,” he added.
Other highlights included their two months in China – with visits to panda sanctuaries and the Great Wall – and secretly planning for Josh’s mum to join them to celebrate her 30th wedding anniversary in Bali last month.
Shaun Whitmore/BBC
Jane Kohler has maintained daily contact with her husband and son
Jane Kohler handed the pair advent calendars and Christmas presents, with George and Josh now hoping for a camping spot by an Australian beach for a “unique” Christmas Day that they “will remember for years to come”.
Mrs Kohler has been essential to their journey throughout, helping with logistics, research and much-needed emotional support – all while keeping her husband’s chimney sweep business going.
“Sometimes I wake up to messages – often from Josh – and I have to talk things through, if they’ve had a hard day with the winds, traffic or heat, and I help them out as much as I can,” she said.
“I’m extremely proud of them. I can see what they’ve gone through, the raw emotions, and that they’re learning to understand each other.
“I think it will bring them closer together, and five, 10 years down the line they will look back and think ‘wow, we did that together’.”
Kohler family
Josh and George hope to back in Norfolk in May
The men have documented their travels on social media, with responses from around the world also helping them to keep going.
“The record book is secondary. It’s amazing seeing the kindness of people and inspiring others to go on their own adventures,” said George.
“It’s about realising you can do things that you never thought you would expect to do.”