Alex Baxter, 33, from Bebington, who volunteers for The Hive Onside Youth Zone in Birkenhead, set off on his adventure on Sunday (July 27).
The journey will take him across 16 countries, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Greece, Serbia, and Croatia, and is expected to take up to three months to complete.
Alex Baxter outside The Hive in Birkenhead (Image: Alex Baxter)
Alex told the Globe: “I’ve wanted to go travelling for some time now, but I was trying to think of something different than just getting on a plane, so I thought about setting myself a challenge.”
Alex’s inspiration to take on the solo cycle came after watching a YouTube video of a man cycling from the UK to Portugal.
He said: “I thought that seemed like a good idea, so I looked at a map and thought where would be a good place to cycle to, and I thought Istanbul because it’s a good route to see Europe on the way, so it kind of snowballed from there really.
Alex’s route (Image: Alex Baxter)
“I’m really excited to see Europe from a different perspective and actually experiencing the places. One thing I do love about going travelling is meeting different people and the new cultures, languages and food. It’s going to be quite a unique experience.
“I’m trying to keep a positive mind about it all and just look forward. I know there will be challenges along the way like cycling up a lot of hills in the Alps or my bike breaking down in the middle nowhere. It’s bound to happen but what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
Alex Baxter (Image: Alex Baxter)
“I think this journey will really help me gross as a person as well. So I’m seeing it a challenge to look forward to and not to worry about. If something happens I will stay calm and figure it out.”
As part of the challenge, Alex is raising money for The Hive, a youth centre he has volunteered at for the past four years.
Alex Baxter (Image: Alex Baxter)
Alex said: “This is a bit of a personal journey so I thought it would be a good opportunity to raise some money for The Hive because they do some incredible work in the community.
“They’ve been so supportive and enthusiastic of me doing this. It’s been amazing.”
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