\n Alex Baxter, 33, from Bebington, who volunteers for The Hive Onside Youth Zone in Birkenhead, set off on his adventure on Sunday (July 27).\n<\/p>\n
\n The journey will take him across 16 countries, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Greece, Serbia, and Croatia, and is expected to take up\u00a0to three months to complete.\n<\/p>\n
\n Alex Baxter outside The Hive in Birkenhead (Image: Alex Baxter)\n<\/p>\n
\n Alex told the Globe: \u201cI\u2019ve 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.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n Alex\u2019s inspiration to take on the solo cycle came after watching a YouTube video of a man cycling from the UK to Portugal.\n<\/p>\n
\n He said: \u201cI 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\u2019s a good route to see Europe on the way, so it kind of snowballed from there really.\n<\/p>\n
\n Alex’s route (Image: Alex Baxter)\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cI\u2019m 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\u2019s going to be quite a unique experience.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cI\u2019m 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\u2019s bound to happen but what doesn\u2019t kill you makes you stronger.\n<\/p>\n
\n Alex Baxter (Image: Alex Baxter)\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cI think this journey will really help me gross as a person as well. So I\u2019m seeing it a challenge to look forward to and not to worry about. If something happens I will stay calm and figure it out.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n As part of the challenge, Alex is raising money for The Hive, a youth centre he has volunteered at for the past four years.\n<\/p>\n
\n Alex Baxter (Image: Alex Baxter)\n<\/p>\n
\n Alex said: \u201cThis 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.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cThey\u2019ve been so supportive and enthusiastic of me doing this. It\u2019s been amazing.\u201d\n<\/p>\n