Spoke Lore

tales from a bicycle traveler

A small harbor on blue water in front of rolling green hills and a pointed steeple peeking up from behind green trees. Color boats were floating in the harbor beside a wooden pier stretching across the water.

Cycling into Girvan: Discovering a Hidden Coastal Gem in Scotland

Traveling by bicycle often leads to places you never planned to visit. After a month cycling Ireland, a spontaneous invitation brought me to Girvan, a quiet fishing town on Scotland’s west coast. With a generous local host as my guide, I explored coastal paths, historic landmarks, and hidden corners that revealed the charm of this overlooked destination.

atinyadventurer

Mar 317 min read

Medieval stately homes with brown tiled rooftops on a harbor on a blue lake. A medieval castle rises behind the homes with spires on two rectangular towers on either side. Green trees can be seen to the left of the castle underneath a bright blue sky.

Visit The Land of Roses in This Stunning Swiss Town

Cycling the EuroVelo 6 took me from the Loire Valley to the Swiss border, through generous hosts, camembert dinners, and quiet hilltop homes in Mulhouse. But it was in Rapperswil — the “town of roses” — where something shifted. With 16,000 roses in bloom, cobblestone streets, a medieval castle overlooking Lake Zürich, and the longest wooden bridge in Switzerland stretching across the water, I found a brief but radiant moment of light in an otherwise difficult chapter of my jo

atinyadventurer

Mar 245 min read

https://www.classy.org/fundraiser/6531212

Want to Spend a Quiet Day in Edinburgh? Here are some ideas to get away from the crowds

Want to spend a quiet day in Edinburgh away from the crowds? In this article you'll find some recommendations for how to spend a quiet day in Scotland's capital city.

atinyadventurer

Mar 176 min read

Courtyard of a historic European building with pale cream walls, arched colonnades, wrought-iron window grilles, and a tall clock tower rising above the rooftops on an overcast day.

Two days turned into a week when I visited this small city in Slovakia

On a rainy September day, I cycled into Slovakia and found myself unexpectedly at home in Bratislava. This is a story about the way places become meaningful through the people we meet.

atinyadventurer

Mar 1011 min read

A medieval stone fortress on a field of grass under a blue sky with soft, white clouds

Coast and Castles: One of the most beautiful cycle routes in the UK

A 200-mile solo cycle from Edinburgh to Newcastle along the Coast and Castles route — filled with historic ruins, tidal islands, generous hosts, and unforgettable moments on two wheels.

atinyadventurer

Mar 316 min read

A rusty blue painted bicycle leaning against a rusted yellow metal post, with baskets of flowers on the front and back of the bicycle, and a sign on the front basket that reads "Life is Good"

I cycled through Hungary, and this was my favorite town

Experience a cozy autumn evening in my favorite town in Hungary

atinyadventurer

Feb 245 min read

A stone building with iron letters that spell 'Kotor'

November is the Perfect Month to Cycle the Bay of Kotor

From quiet coastal towns and winding Serpentine Roads to breathtaking Adriatic views, November proved to be the perfect time for a Montenegro bike adventure. Discover hidden gems, historic fortresses, and why traveling off-season made this journey unforgettable.

atinyadventurer

Feb 1714 min read

A large stone and iron bridge in the mountains on the Ciro Trail

Autumn Colors and Abandoned Railways; Cycling the Ciro Trail in Bosnia & Herzegovina

I cycled the historic Ciro Trail from Mostar to Dubrovnik, following an abandoned railway through mountains, caves, and remote villages — camping under stormy skies, navigating rocky paths, and soaking in breathtaking Adriatic views.

atinyadventurer

Feb 108 min read

Houses and stone towers on the side of a mountain with autumn-colored trees in Zenica, Bosnia & Herzegovina

I Cycled Through My First Balkan Country, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and It Was Up and Down

A long-distance cycle tour through Bosnia & Herzegovina — from the border at Šamac to Sarajevo, the Trans Dinarica, the historic Ciro Trail, and finally Dubrovnik — featuring wild camping, cultural encounters, and unexpected challenges on the road.

atinyadventurer

Feb 311 min read

A narrow winding paved path between rocks and autumn trees in the moutains

The Long Ride East: I ran out of time in Schengen, so I rerouted to the Balkans

Mara cycles along the Eurovelo 6 towards Turkey, but reroutes to the Balkans as her time in the Schengen runs out

atinyadventurer

Jan 2615 min read

A vast tundra-like landscape with dark rocky mountains, scattered snow patches, and a lone red cabin centered in the valley.

I visited Greenland 3 years ago; it was wild, unforgiving, and beautiful

During my backpacking trek in Greenland, I was alone in the wilderness for 10 days, and realized the enduring and beautiful nature of this Arctic island.

atinyadventurer

Jan 148 min read

Colorful buildings and a clock tower underneath a blue sky

In 2025 I gave up everything to travel, and it wasn't what I expected

I left home believing travel would transform me. After a year on the road — through grief, depression, career loss, and breathtaking landscapes — I realized the only real goal left was to stop searching.

atinyadventurer

Jan 710 min read

Merry Christmas from a solo traveler

The 24th of December. Arguably one of the most exciting days of the year. Kitchens are filled with warmth and the sweet smell of holiday baking. Family members meander throughout the house, chattering and laughing, bickering and huffing. Families who haven’t seen each other all year have come together to celebrate. Children are counting down the hours until midnight, anticipating the sacred moment they awaken to a heap of consumerist goods they no doubt saw on Tik Tok, to sat

atinyadventurer

Dec 25, 20258 min read

How can you be depressed? The dark side of travel

“Okay, cat. Let’s have a big home-cooked meal!” Mr. Cat looked up at me with his big green eyes, not caring anything about my meal, only...

atinyadventurer

Sep 11, 20257 min read

This Charming English Village is the Perfect Place for a Bicycle Ride

Go for a peaceful bicycle ride in this charming English village and discover adorable cottages, serene nature, and quiet canal paths.

atinyadventurer

Aug 14, 20257 min read

This small Irish coastal town has a complicated history, and deserves a comeback

If you enjoy visiting small towns that are rich in history but not overcrowded with tourists, this Irish coastal town is the perfect place for a low-key holiday.

atinyadventurer

Jul 21, 20258 min read

We’ll always have Ireland

A heartwarming story about the transition of a mother/daughter relationship, as they ready for a change in their relationship by traveling to Ireland together.

atinyadventurer

May 19, 20256 min read