Stephen Podmore

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

About Stephen Podmore

I started bikepacking & touring in 2020 after being relieved of my employment during Covid & immediately decided I would retire & explore what was possible on a bike by myself or with anyone willing to tag along with me or possibly me with someone.
My first trip was from my home in the Blue Mountains NSW Australia to the Gold Coast of Queensland over 15 days or so including zero days.
(komoot.com/collection/1068536/-glenbrook-nsw-to-the-gold-coast-qld-completed-december-2020)
Next tour was in 2021 starting from Buderim with the intention of completing a big loop in country Queensland. Again my naivety saw this not eventuate after a knee problem (pushing too hard too early) & restarting from Proserpine with the guidance of a mate (Neil) who was already touring & offered to teach me a lesson or many. Thank you Neil. My equipment & water carrying capacity was too restrictive to head into the Queensland outback where Neil had been & would return to after we reached Cairns. I would have loved to have done that.
komoot.com/collection/1283372/-poddys-qld-tour-completed-in-2021
2022 saw a short tour in the Central West of NSW & then the first of a few more tours in Europe. I learnt a lot from these trips; what I really needed to take, how to take, where to pack & to take in the sights, sounds, aromas & delights & to slow down.
komoot.com/collection/1868391/-central-west-cycling-trail-completed-november-2021
komoot.com/collection/1666523/-eu22-tour-of-europe-completed-july-to-september-2022
It was this tour that I started writing my quirky narratives each day. Amazingly I stuck to my planned routes in the main except where I found or was told of better places, routes & to catch up with a mate near Lyon.
In 2024 I ventured into Spain starting from Madrid with the intention to again make my way to my son's home in Germany via some of the Montanas Vacias route. My gravel bike was fine for the bits done.
komoot.com/collection/2721273/-eu24-spain-to-germany

www.polarsteps.com/StephenPodmore

Distance travelled

25,248 km

Time in motion

1454:13 h