🎧 Go West with Steve Silk — Cycling Britain's Wild and Winding West Country

Go West with Steve Silk | Cycling Adventure Across Britain's West Country

Join Active Travel Adventures as we chat with Steve Silk about his new book Go West and his 300-mile cycling journey through Britain's backroads, coastlines, and countryside. Discover how slow travel reveals adventure and meaning on two wheels.

You'll hear fascinating stories, legends and learn some of the history along Steve's adventure and come away inspired to create your own grand adventure, whether by bike, foot or cia paddling.

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🚴‍♀️ Ride Into Britain's Past — One Pedal Stroke at a Time

In this episode of Active Travel Adventures, host Kit Parks sits down with British journalist and adventurer Steve Silk, author of the captivating new book Go West: Adventure Cycling Through Britain's Past.

Steve's journey follows winding country lanes and scenic coastal climbs. Along the way, he encounters farmers, ferrymen, and fellow wanderers—each sharing stories that bring Britain's western landscapes to life.

"When you travel slowly—by bike or by foot—you see how the land shapes people, and how people shape the land." – Steve Silk

COMPLETE SHOW NOTES  See important links for planning your own adventure, photos, and more cool info about today's show.

📚 Get your copy of Go West

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🗺️ What You'll Discover in This Episode

• How Steve designed his route 

• The most memorable stretches through Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset

• Hidden inns, fishing ports, and countryside cafés perfect for cyclists

• Why slow travel and self-propelled adventures deepen cultural understanding

• Tips for planning your own multi-day cycling tour 

• What Britain's backroads teach us about resilience, simplicity, and wonder

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🌿 About the Guest — Steve Silk

Steve Silk is a British writer, journalist, and lifelong cyclist passionate about exploring the intersection of landscape and story. His best selling first book, The Great North Road, retraced Britain's most famous coaching route from London to Edinburgh.

In Go West, Steve turns toward the Atlantic, pedaling 300 miles across fields, moors, and coastline to rediscover the spirit of Britain's West Country.

COMPLETE SHOW NOTES  See important links for planning your own adventure, photos, and more cool info about today's show.

Get FREE Travel Planners, Checklists and Packing Lists for ATA adventures (and each month you will get an email from Kit with links to all future Travel Planners (no spam promise!).  Get the monthly newsletter here.

CONTACT KIT

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📚 Resources Mentioned

• Book: Go West: Adventure Cycling Through Britain's Past by Steve Silk

• Steve's Website: stevesilk.co.uk

• Follow Steve: Instagram | Twitter/X

• Previous Book: The Great North Road

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🛒 Where to Buy Go West

Get your copy today:
👉 Amazon or your local independent bookstore.

🎧 Listen & Subscribe

Never miss an adventure! Subscribe to Active Travel Adventures:

• Apple Podcasts

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• YouTube

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💬 Join the Conversation

Have you ever followed a historic route on your own adventure?
Share your story in the Active Travel Adventures Facebook Group or tag @ActiveTravelAdventures on Instagram!

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