HONG KONG to LONDON, a BIG bicycle adventure. Did my best! Lots went wrong! But it was amazing
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- Опубліковано 25 сер 2024
- Not a Brompton adventure! Back in 2006, I cycled about 10,000km on a "big" bike, from Hong Kong to London.
After living and working for years in Hong Kong, I moved back to London. And I decided to do the journey on my bicycle.
As you can see, a lot of things went wrong! But it was a wonderful thing to do, really wonderful.
It was many years ago now, but a massive thank you, to everyone who helped me.
Hope you enjoy the film!
I have been so looking forward to you completing this story. The trip was all going so well, until it suddenly became unspeakably terrible. You are an inspiring individual. Thank you Susanna.
I'd say, it stopped me in my tracks. I can not put into words my feelings, what I can do is acknowledge you for the action you put in at the time and later, R4 seems a worthwhile facility put to good use. When we see the devil, point and tell him he has been seen. 6 years ofter, that made me cry, what a lucky lucky man.
Id ever there was an every cloud has a silver lining story this is the one. Pretty awesome, heroic and inspiring adventure.
aw thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it! silver lining is sitting here next to me
Susanna, one of the many, many amazing things about you - is that having cycled across the globe for months - that you still get huge enjoyment from a short 40km spin with an overnight wild camp in a random field - and you can make your mini adventures just as entertaining as any global voyage - for all of us. I can't believe all of the things you had to overcome on that trip - but the big take aways from this video is your incredible strength and the goodness of the overwhelming majority of people in the world. Wishing you safe travels and warm welcomes wherever you go. x
Aw Richella thank you for such a lovely comment x sometimes I dont know how to put into words what i think, and then someone writes a comment, and I realise oh yes that is what I think..! haha yes a random field in the Midlands in November is a joy!! I'm so thankful that I can go outside and look around. Long or short! All great! Safe and happy and interesting travels and warm welcomes everywhere to you too! x
Just heard about your experience on Radio 4 this morning, extraordinarilly inspiring but also a poignant reminder of the risk of travel. I'm so glad your overall experience was a positive one, memories to treasure for a lifetime I'm sure.
Got a link for that on iplayer?
Thank you for mentioning the Radio 4 clip. I looked it up. It was great to hear - and again, despite the negative bits, I love how Susanna focuses on the positive and enjoys those parts regardless of anything else. What an incredible outlook on life and so thoroughly inspirational.
That Radio 4 clip is the one published on the 4th of February? Cheers.
Susanna,
This explains everything: your personality, your strength, your wisdom and your sheer enjoyment of life.
I smiled and struggled with you, I was sad and cried for you but most of all I was in awe of your accomplishment.
Thank you so much for putting this together and sharing the adventure with us.
Peter
I couldn't have said what I feel any better. Thank you so much for sharing Susanna. And thanks to Peter for penning a such brilliant tribute. 👍
Wow Susanna!! I watched your video last night and left a comment - I included a word that began with R and ended in E and I think the UA-cam police deleted it. My overriding feeling watching this wonderful account is that you have indeed lived your life wholeheartedly to date - even in this 6 months account, the amount of living and experiencing that happened was incredible. In truly living, you showed how we are totally vulnerable to the horrors of life but undeniable wonder and joy are there for tasting too. Wind, rain, altitude sickness, the word beginning with r, wedding, choir, funeral, singing, connection, cramps, love, loss, new beginnings - you showed it all! Great to see the story behind the Swedish man with glasses too. Not even a day to reacclimatise before starting into your new job either - (I feel like I need a day off having just watched your account) 😊 The inspiration of Dervla Murphy lives on. Thank you for making this wonderful video Susanna and including all that you did xxx
Aw thank you Miriam. What a lovely comment xxx thanks for writing such nice and thoughtful things. Yeh I had to work the next day. I had to borrow my Mum's clothes and shoes haha
I'm just lost for words. I mean, I *knew* you were pretty tough from watching your Brompton adventures. But to go through all the highs and the very deep lows of this, it's clear you're totally badass.
I am 33, 2 years ago started running daily 5k and 10k , lost 25kg and now i am a half marathoner, i never ever did any sports previous in my life.. there is just something while you are in it.. some type of freedom and mental energy.. i got a bycicle too, i never cycled that much but even 50km feels amazing and explorative. Heck when you consider it 99% of the people dont even cycle or run 5k.. Now that i am in all of this i realised how much have i actualy missed in my 20s , i just hope health stays good and legs serve me well. What a ride and adventure you had, what an experience i wish i was able to have a lot of time and money to do something like this... wow
Sounds brilliant, yeah freedom, and mental energy... I recognise what you say! Great you got into the running and everything, now the world's your oyster! thanks for writing!
Wow! A Life altering experience.
I have hunted and watched 2 of your Brompton tour videos, but stumbled upon this one unexpectedly.
I’m glad you are here.
An absolutely amazing trip by an amazing person! Thanks so much for sharing it with us…😂❤
I don’t even have the words. Thankyou for sharing the WHOLE story, it’s important for people to understand the added difficulty of being a female traveller. The world is not equal. I’m sorry about some of the stuff you experienced but also so inspired by the positive stuff you experienced. You are one inspiring tough cookie
Aw, you do have the words actually. Thank you for writing Ellie. Yeh it's not easy. But I am focused on the positive, just like you say. The world is ours too isnt it xx
@@susannathornton We can let the negatives eat us up or we can use them as fuel to boost us forward. Its not always as easy as that. I'm a roller skater and one of my big metaphors for life is that you can't learn to skate if you don't fall (and learn how to get back up again), yes sometimes you get bumped and bruised, but you learn each time and become a better skater each time. The same for life I think. If we go through life being so scared of falling that we don't do anything...we're not really living!
And yes the world is ours too!
I've been meaning to watch this for a while after discovering your Brompton videos.
Words fail me really. You are such a tough unstoppable force. Deeply moving and inspiring and I'm glad it had a happy ending. Thanks for sharing
Hi Gary! aw thank you, for watching and for the lovely comment x
Thank you for putting that video together, it probably took a lot of effort, but the result, like the trip, is really stunning. I feel I have understood more about what Asia was really like - the size, the beauty, the hardship, the different people - from this one video than anything I've seen before. Your filming and photography are really good, and you have an eye for small details and people that add so much to your narrative.
The challenge you took on was huge and it must have been really hard to keep going through those vast landscapes with awful roads, heat, headwinds, huge climbs and border problems. And then you had to pick up the pieces and carry again on after being raped - that was brave, and so was talking about it - I am so sorry that someone would do that to you and so glad you did not let it defeat you!
Huge respect to you for what you achieved here, and thank you for sharing it in your customary modest way! This is a video I shall definitely be watching again!
Aw thank you. I love what you wrote
You are an incredible lady. What a journey! And to keep going after that awful experience, inspirational.
Amazing story, amazing trip and no doubt an amazing person!
Truly inspiring ❤
What a fantastic achievement. Totally inspiring
Amazing! Thanks for posting. Shaken by your story about the rape. You are a strong woman. I admire you for moving forward
You are truly remarkable, taking on challenges few people would dare to attempt. I feel unworthy to comment. I am adding this to the comments because you absolutely deserve to hear from every person who is touched by your epic adventure. Thank you for sharing your experience as unflinchingly as you have.
thank you for watching! and for the thoughtful kind comment! It was a wonderful experience to do that journey. More than wonderful! hard to put it into words really
Oh Susanna, talk about a journey with huge highlights and lowlights. You are a strong woman to keep doing what you do, alone, after what happened in Georgia. I love watching your adventures from here in New Zealand. You are truly amazing.
Thank you for sharing your story, you are such an inspiration 💛
I'm responding to your experience on R4. Thank you for being so open and courageous. I hope you felt the huge wave of love and support which poured out towards you(of which I was a small part) from every woman listener, I hope it helps you heal.
Aw thank you Trudy. Yeh I had to have a bit of a lie down after doing the radio thing! I only finished the film the night before at 10pm too working like crazy on it. Stressed! anyway, thank you, appreciate your lovely message
awwww ❤ what a life full of adventures!
Wow. The most moving, inspiring tale I've watched on you tube after I've enjoyed several of your more local trips. Impressive and inspiring. All the best
Aw thank you Steve!
Lovely. Beautifully honest. Strong. Caring. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Robert!
Wow that the most amazing cycling Vlog I have watched.your extraordinary mental and physical strength amazing.thx for sharing.
Wonderful Memories that will last forever Susannah especially with the Happy ending of meeting your husband🙏
Really fantastic journey Susanna,, you are so brave. You are a credit to cyclists. Thank you and Stay Safe.
Aw what a nice thing to say, a credit to cyclists. I have learned so much from the many many lovely people I have met in the cycling world over all the years and had a lot of fun, grateful to all of them
Hello Susanna. Thank you for sharing another amazing adventure, you're an inspiration. So much so I've recently purchased a Brompton, all down to you I'm off to tour France on it soon! I wanted to acknowledge your bravery for sharing your experience as a survivor of rape. I'm so sorry.
Hi Sam! oh that's great to hear that you're planning to go cycle touring in France on your Brompton, woo! sound brilliant! Happy cycling! hope you discover lots of lovely roads and interesting places eat lots of lovely baguettes and crepes and things
What an amaaaaaaazing journey. Thank you for sharing this remarkable and most personal roller coaster with us.
Your steadfast and unwavering positivity is most inspiring.
Your resilience, extra-ordinary.
Your perseverance, unwaveing
Hey susanna, this video has affected me deeply. I have always wanted to do something like this in my life and now ive decided, I WILL. Seeing your experiences and how strong willed you are truly impacted my heart. Much love
Oh that's exciting. Bravo you! I hope you enjoy planning and then doing a long bicycle journey. The decision to actually do it is hard. (tick! you have done that already!) And then set a date when you will set off. That is the hardest part of all, I think. The rest then just flows...
Wow just wow, you are an inspiration!
So inspirational 🙌.. iam sorry u had to go thru the policeman ordeal 😡... can't believe u managed to carry on. What a lovely ending too marrying someone u met on ur travels. X
I'm going to need some additional storage space to keep all this extra respect I have for you now...peace to you, and thank you for sharing.
You are an inspiration- I was overawed by your accomplishment despite so many obstacles and a dreadful experience! Thank you for sharing your adventure.
s
Thank you for finishing this video. It would make the most amazing book. The journey. Meeting with the kindness of strangers. Overcoming adversity. You have to write it one day!
I hope everything has gone well with your recent treatment.
All the best.
Thanks Susanna an excellent video and I am amazed to learn of your experiences in riding back home.
Wow!! Susanna... we watched this morning with breakfast in bed with hot coffee in a warm, cosy house. Hmmmm.. what an adventure. Sorry for the terrible experience but apart from that - incredible. We cried at the end.. getting old and soft. Be sure to look us up in north Italy if you're ever here.
aw thanks Richard! oh I think it is alright to cry! Sounded very nice breakfast in bed, hot coffee all cosy haha how lovely
@@susannathornton Thanks for the reply! I was telling friends last night about your journey. We wish you all the best...!!!
BRILLIANT! Absolutely brilliant, you Madam, are an inspiration and role model, for all of us, not just women! I was horrified by the violent act you had to endure and wept for you when you spoke of it.
I will be sharing this incredible piece of work with all whom I know, as people need to know of the Heroes that walk among us... you are one.
Oh that's very nice of you Rolandomichel. I was lucky to have the chance to that long trip! Glad you enjoyed the film. Thank you for writing!
I watched the first part of your journey some time ago. Thank you for sharing this second part. You come across as a very courageous individual. Respect.
Hi Neil! thanks for watching! glad you enjoyed the film! yeh I was going to make loads of little films of the whole journey, like the little films of the first few weeks that you already watched, but I got kind of stuck and stopped... And then out of the blue BBC Radio 4 contacted me about doing an interview, and I thought OK before i do the interview I better kind of TRY and make just one film about that whole journey... It was really hard to pick just a few bits and make 6 months journey into one 30 min film! didnt quite squeeze it into 30 mins but tried. Anyway, glad I did it. Thanks for writing!
An incredible story of immense physical and mental strength and determination. I rarely use the word, but on this occasion it is entirely appropriate; Awesome!!! Thank you for sharing your story.
Hi Susanna,what a journey,totally self supported,& a lovely charitable act at the end,lost for words,atb,Colin P,❤
Aw thank you Colin x it was wonderful. Yeh I was alone, but so many people helped me along the way.. It was such an amazing experience. Atb to you too!
What a remarkable and well produced documentary, it filled me with a mix of emotions - well done and thanks Susanna
Thanks for sharing your story. I've been hoping and waiting to hear the rest. An incredible journey. Huge respect.❤
Wow Susanna. Wow! Just an amazing story. So good to have the happy ending. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it once more, you are truly inspirational
What an amazing adventure and ride. Much of where you pedaled through has probably changed forever. More than likely smoother roads along with quite possibly terrifying traffic (and maybe worse people). Your misfortunes got me down but your resilience and intestinal fortitude is admirable. The ending was well, ...😂
Very inspiring story even HK is no longer the same as before. I wish you all the bests!
Hi brightlightdun, thanks for writing. Yes. So sad. I was just a temporary resident those few years but ever since I was a child and my Dad used to go there and had great HK Chinese (actually mainly ex Shanghai) friends there and then me in my own small way had the chance to live there I came to really f** love HK so many friends incl my fellow students and supervisor and then work colleagues so many inspiring people I met there such a wonderful place xxxx xxxx
What a remarkable achievement and adventure Susanna. Thank you for sharing your story and for the endless and enduring inspiration to so many.
Much love from Canada x🇨🇦🙏
How courageous to undertake that long trip
Awesome. Well done. And lovely happy ending
Oh my heavens - what guts and verve you have. I'm so sorry about the bad experiences that you had - I can only imagine how you felt - and how you went on, continuing your adventure despite the incrediblehardships.
Sending you love.
Jennie
i just came back from HongKong on a plane. but you did on a push bike! wow !!!
Saving this one for Sunday morning with a good coffee, Hope you are well , thanks for posting, keep your chin up 👍
Awesome story and courage.
"But that's not the end..." might well have been my favourite part. Thanks Susanna for this epic adventure. It certainly tested your body and spirit in the most severe ways. I am grateful for your generosity and strength, and when the weather softens, let's all go for a pleasurable pootle again. ATB, brad
Susanna, you are a brave woman!
Amazing story, Susanna, highs and lows. Thanks for sharing.
What a journey. Respect! ❤
aw thanks fliewatuut, yeh it was a longer ride that one, was wonderful
I keep revisiting this in my mind. I hope so much that putting the horrible bit out there is "relieving and releasing", to quote Michael Rosen. Just wanted to give you a big hug. Back to the present, I'm looking forward to hearing about recent mini-adventures!
Hi Clive! Thanks for writing and following my channel! Yeh, ups and downs, that's life isn't it, and yes I am sure it is helpful to think, and try to sort of frame things by writing or talking or making a film etc, and then carry on... And yes, about new adventures, two being edited here now actually yay! I was out in Feb and again just now in March... exciting! haha. I am slow at editing, but I really like it actually. They'll be out soon! Best wishes meanwhile!
What an inspirational spirit you are -well done. Heard you on Radio 4 today - well done again! Keep on going........
Hi Susanna,
It’s been a month since I watched your video, I am still moved, troubled and inspired in equal measure. I take great comfort from your example of seeing past the truly awful and being able to appreciate the wonder in a simple bike ride.. I think of you often🌅. All the best from Australia, Jules 😊❣️
Aw thanks Julie! what a lovely comment x all the best from London! 🥰
What an amazing story. Brike my heart in the middle. 😢🎉 As a man, I sometimes feel so ashamed of the actions of other men. Thank you for sharing.
thank you for writing miniguy x
Just wow! It seemed all so epic then that terrible thing happened to you☹️☹️☹️ thank you for sharing this journey with us despite what happened.
I remember watching the first couple of videos you put together about this trip a few years ago, glad to have the chance to see it. Thanks for sharing it.
Hi Edward! Thanks for watching! Yeh a couple of years ago I made those little films about the very first days of the ride, but then i got busy with other things and it all came to a halt... And then the BBC contacted me out of the blue before Xmas about going on the radio, and I thought Oh OK how should I handle this... So after thinking a lot and worrying about it I kind of splurged out the bad bits that I actually had told almost noone, not even my family to the (lovely and fantastic) BBC producer. We decided I would try and tell the story on the radio but I thought I might completely mess up the live radio, so I decided to make one 30 min film myself, covering the whole ride, so that it would be there on my channel, kind of how I wanted to tell it, best I could do anyway. Telling the story of 6 months in 30 mins film was really hard, cos I had buckets of sprawling material all shaky and kind of ramdom, but anyway I selected bits and did my best. Glad I did it. Good to have a deadline sometimes haha! Long reply but anyway thank you for following my channel and for writing!
@@susannathornton I just listened to your BBC interview, I thought you did incredibly well and you are a very brave person. I look forward to more Brompton adventures! Edward
@@edwardhirst6027 aw thank you Edward, nice of you to say that. Yes me too, looking forward to loads more adventures! happy cycling to us all!
Very impressive, well done lady, good on ya 👍x
This is so beautiful…
You are one amazing inspirational woman 👍
Incredible Susanna!!
A memory of a lifetime, in the days without 3G, 4G, GPS...and you did it 16 years ago!
Respect and Salute to the
Physical and mental strength that you have.
Thank you for the inspiration.
Especially I am from HK.
Hi Donald! aw thanks for the lovely message. Haha yes it is amazing how much things have changed since then isnt it. Actuall about GPS, I did have a GPS unit with me actually. It was a kind of chunky yellow device, which I had to take outside to an open space and point at the sky and kind of shake and then wait a few minutes until it hopefully latched onto three satellites, and then it gave a digital reading, latitude and longitude. I would write down the reading each day. It was partly a safety thing (I had a "heartbeat" system with two very kind HK friends - I texted my latitude and longitude location to them. The idea was that they didnt hear from me for three days, then they would alert the police and give them my last known GPS location) and it was partly a nice thing to do, seeing that I was moving along bit by bit from HK at 114 degrees longitude towards Greenwich which would be at "zero"... Anyway. Thanks for watching! Greetings to you in HK!
Amazing story, amazing adventure, amazing lady
This is a magnificent documentary. I have watched many of your videos, but this is my favourite one to date because it is to epic and marked such an important transition in your life. It is both harrowing and inspiring. I agree with one of the other comments that you are in Dervla Murphy's league. I see you kept a journal. I hope you publish them. Thank you.
I, too, hope Susanna publishes her journals...or at least an account of the journey in book form!
Yes I just heard you on Radio 4 too. So moving. So sorry. But you are so my kind of cyclist. Taking it easy and noticing what’s around you. Thanks and stay cycling x
Most of us wouldn't have the idea to do something like this. Even if we did have the thought we'd probably decide it was neither practical nor safe. I can see many points in your journey where most of us would have just caught a flight home. So the fact that you did this marks you out as someone with an extraordinary will and delightfully single minded. Like everyone who has watched this, I'm so impressed by your strength. Thanks for telling us your story.
Hi Simon! aw thank you writing such a thoughtful comment. Actually the hardest thing was setting off... Or actually, not setting off itself, but deciding to myself, right I am going to try and do this, and then talking out loud to people about it... That was the hardest thing. After initial shock and asking me why and then how and isnt it crazy etc etc etc, everything after that just kind of unfolded. Tons and tons of people helped me set everything up, without me asking, they just helped on things they thought might be good, and that was amazing, more than I ever dreamed. And once I was on the way I just felt so lucky to be doing it. It never crossed my mind to give up, I was just having such a interesting time sort of living in intense colours and doing something I really wanted to do
@@susannathornton hello Susanna...I am a bicycle tourist and I have looked at some of your other videos with the Brompton, I myself owned a tern verge touring folding bike but I broke it because I am rough on equipment and now I have a Velo Orange Mini Velo Neutrino that I recently took to Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota to see wild life. Your videos are inspiring and before seeing this amazing journey you documented with this video I was already at awe of your traveling set up...your horrible experience in Georgia wrench me with anger and frustration but your attitude and desire to continue and see your adventure through is inspiring. Thank you for sharing, for inspiring for keeping faith in humanity and for also bringing to light the good , the bad and the ugly of willing to go out and see the world in your own terms.
May all your journeys have beyond the things that makes you feel alive and happy.
Cheers and perhaps , we can say hello one day out on the road.
Alex.
that's an amazing experience!
Wow what a story
What a journey! Things did go wrong but you came through it smiling at the end although your trust of Police must be shattered. Thanks for finishing the story. I hope you are recovering your strength and all is well.
Just watched your video and loved to see all your journey...
May the Lord bless you and yours..
☝📖👑🙏😊❤👊
🙏Praying for your life and Jesus is in control☝
What an amazing and eye opening documentary. I can only imagine how hard it was to relive some of those memories. You, as always have my full admiration.
Beautiful video Susanna, thank you.
What an adventure!! So inspiring! Maybe it’s time for me to leave Hong Kong on a bike… 🤔
Susanna you are a true adventurer and tough beyond words. I stumbled onto your micro UK trips with no idea you'd cycled half way around the world...solo... without GPS. Thank you for showing us what's possible.
What a journey and documentation of your life, thanks for sharing it with us .
WOW Epic. Thanks for sharing 👍
Thank you for sharing your journey so honestly. I was absolutely gripped. Such a bittersweet experience, so glad you carried on and then had such a positive ending to your story.
Just got off the radio Susanna, nice to hear your voice on R4 from a camper van in the French alps skiing. Keep on keeping on. Love Mark
Wow You never cease to amaze me. What drive. I have a Brompton and LOVE it. That is how I started watching Your video's. Thanks for the good coverage.
Susanna
First, I hope your treatment is going well.
An epic journey and so glad that you finally finished your brilliant video of the trip. But I was so sad to hear of the problems you encountered. You kept going and your resilience on that trip and since really inspires me and others.
I was in Uramqi in 1991 and it took me 3 days on a bus to get to Kashgar over terrible roads, it now takes I think 6 hours on the express train. I also went to the Heavenly mountains, it was so confusing like arriving in Switzerland straight from the desert staying in a Yurt. From Kashgar I headed via bus to Pakistan via the Karakoram Highway which is a magnificent journey and was a cycle route. (The road grade is relatively shallow as it was designed for underpowered Chinese trucks.) I was lucky enough to to meet Nick Danziger ( at a lunch in HK) who was one of the first Westerners to cross the Karakoram Highway from Pakistan, on the same trip he also crossed Afghanistan during the Russian war and sneaked through Tibet. His book Danzigers Travels documenting this trip is well worth reading if you have not already come across it.
If you ever get to NZ there is a Brompton and camping gear you are welcome to use in Wellington. There are some excellent bike trails here. Probably the most famous is the 140km Otago rail trail which starts in the mountains near Queenstown but also some excellent trails near Wellington.
Sorry to ramble on. I just wanted to say thank you again for taking the time to do these videos. It cannot have been easy.
Hi Susanna , I would like to acknowledge your awe inspiring tenacity and moral courage in creating this content , thank you , you are truly inspirational ! x
What an incredible trip. This has a lot of resonance for me. I'm an American who got interested in Chinese culture in the 90s, learned the language, mostly on my own, sometimes in night classes, and then got some jobs working on Chinese movies, in China, in the late 90s through the mid-2000s. One movie I worked on, "Heroes of Heaven and Earth" was shot in Xinjiang in 2001 in a small oil town named Shanshan, so a lot of your shots of that area reminded me of when I was there, for instance the guys cooking Nan bread by the roadside. I remember that as so delicious. Anyway, not to go on about myself, just wanted to suggest that with your love of biking and your language skills, that you try a tour in southern Taiwan. I did it myself, solo, for only a week, in fall 2013 and it was amazing. There were so many "minsu" -- bed and breakfasts -- at that time that, in the off season at least, you could pretty much stop in any town toward the end of the day and find a place to spend the night. Plus the Taiwanese are bike mad and love it if foreigners are traveling their country. Would love to see your video of such a trip. Congratulations on what you did. It's amazing.
Aw thanks jazzfan, so interesting to read a bit about what you've done, learning the language and then working out in Xinjiang etc back in those (happier) days on feature films and things. What a story! Fab!
Yeah I would love to explore Taiwan more by bike... what a brilliant place. I did do a few cycling holidays there back in the 80s and early 90s when I was a student studying Chinese in Taiwan, riding over the cross island highway a couple of times, omg fantastic! I also cycled down Taiwan's west coast, less wild mostly factories etc but interesting. Also went down south, Eluanbi etc, gorgeous but I dont remember the route we rode more than that really. I remember we stayed in all sorts of places eg super simple Japanese style hostel type places, and camped with a very cheap blue tent i bought in Taipei. Did the job! Nice memories! Interesting what you say about the minsu places these days, all that sort of thing sounds great. Ahhh yeh would love to go back to Taiwan one day. Thanks for writing and makin me think about it again!! best wishes!
@@susannathornton Well sounds like you know Taiwan but maybe haven’t tried the southeast. I would look into it. Might be perfect on a Brompton as all the minsus mean you don’t have to carry much. Giant bikes were so big at the time I did it that you could rent a bike in one city and drop it off in another. Very convenient. No idea if that’s still the case.
Thank you for taking us through this journey Susanna. You are an inspiration!
Thank you for sharing so openly Susanna. Your ability to keep going in the face of difficulty, including a truly terrible one, is an inspiration.
I'm sorry to hear what you experienced in Tbilisi. I couldn't watch anymore after hearing that. I hope you're ok now.
You were way ahead of your time. Bikepacking is a big thing now, but you were ahead of it all. Thank you for this film. You are very strong and an inspiration. All the best for your health and your future.
Aw thanks Anne. Yeh a big thing bikepacking isnt it! It's brilliant that lots of people are out touring on bikes these days... Actually I think "bikepacking" is just a new label, isnt it, for what people have enjoyed for years.. I think as soon as bikes were invented, people realised oh wow, freedom!! strap on a couple of bags and you can go anywhere! And that's what I thought when I was a child, and still think now! Happy cycling!
Hello Susanna,
Goodness me that is a story of ups and downs... you are far more adventurous than me... I would like to ride the via francigena but sometimes feel it would be to much.
I noticed the mercatone uno cap, I am a fan of the late great Marco Pantani. It was great to see that the money you raise was put to good use.
Take lots of care and see you on your next adventure.
Paul,,
Oh yes me too, loved Marco Pantani. Those were strange days for cycling weren't they but yes, loved him, love riders with a big character and courage
Absolutely amazing , what a journey and what courage you had , loved your film and narrative , thank you
How lovely to see this incredible journey. So many challenges but you did it!! And found your husband - how wonderful. I was thinking of you just this morning and wondering how you are and how your treatment has been going. So good to see your video pop up. Hoping all is going well for you x
Hi Susanna what a lovely ending! The compilation of the whole trip, wow, and you’re so strong, even when unbelievably bad things happen to you! Stay strong! Fighter!! Thanks for sharing 😊
What an inspiration you are! Thank you for sharing this. Such resilience and good humour despite everything….. I’m in awe
Fabulous, simply fabulous. Thank you for sharing such an epic journey
Thank you so much for sharing your story.
For years I've enjoyed watching your adventures and yearned to do the same myself. I have almost all the resources (including a Brompton!) but having survived violence, threats and SA by male strangers in the past the main thing always holding me back from camping overnight was my hypervigilance around male strangers.
Now knowing what happened to you on your journey I am filled with admiration for your spirit.
What a world this would be if everyone believed women were fully human beings too.
Aw, thanks for writing Hazel. Yeh. It's not easy being a girl!! Keep going. Hope you can get out there too. The world is ours too, to enjoy, and to treasure, isnt it xxx
Thank you! What a fabulous trip and so well told. I was mesmerized. You have a real gift for story telling. Wouldn’t it be interesting to retrace this route so many years later…I wonder how much has changed?
Yeh I sometimes wonder that myself. A huge amount has happened and changed since then. The road network in China has been transformed there from what I can gather and from what I have seen myself when travelling in China for work etc since, smart roads and giant motorways and so on now, and depopulation of the countryside. The region of China where Qiang people live - where the women were wearing incredible traditional clothing etc - was devastated by a gigantic earthquake two years after I passed through. The epicentre was Wenchuan which was a county I went through. About 70,000 people were killed. It is awful to think about it. All those people. The ancient mosque at Dujiangyan was badly damaged in the same disaster. And then of course Xinjiang. The Uighur people. Well. Much has been written by people who know of course far more than me. We have all seen images of huge prison camps and yards full of imprisoned men. I feel very sad when I think about it. That boy, on his pony cart, shyly smiling. Where is he, I wonder. And other things changed and happened. Russia invaded Georgia in 2008 two years after I passed through, shelling some of the places I saw. It is awful to think of people I met and places I saw and wonder what happened to them. After I had to tack north through Kazakhstan, I did consider riding through Ukraine as that route - north of the Black Sea - would have been shorter from where I now was, but I didn't have the right visas or any information on how to get through that way... Strange to think of it now. It is sad to think about some of the things happening in the world now. I was very lucky to do the ride, full stop. And very lucky that I did it when I did, in 2006. A lot has happened since then.
Just wanted to thank you for doing this. It was really well done. You've overcame many hardships some of which are just unfathomable but it was truly inspirational to watch and listen to your story.