ITALY - Solo Bikepacking pushed me to my limits
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- čas přidán 15. 06. 2024
- I am Giant Cheerio, a bicycle traveler, exploring the world by bike since 2021!
When I thought of going to Italy, I couldn’t wait to get there. Pizza, Pasta & La dolce vita came to my mind and all I wanted was having a super nice time over there.
But eventually it all came different than expected and I was having difficult times while cycling through that beautiful country.
Rain, flat tyres and my mood went down south.
Nevertheless, I decided to show this trip from Civitaveccia to Bari unfiltered.
A life on the road is not always fun.
Lean back & enjoy the show!
Cheerio, Goodbye, Salut & Adios!
🙌 Do you want to support my journey?
🏕 Kofi: ko-fi.com/giant_cheerio
🏕 Patreon: / giant_cheerio
0:00 Intro
01:07 Rainy start
03:32 Flat tyre
05:34 Awesome gravel path
08:13 Creepy strangers
13:24 More rain
18:38 My Italian Miracle
22:43 Mud torture
29:16 Outro
Brutally honest and unashamed during struggles on the road. Documenting your travels in this raw manner is really exceptional. Your battles with anger are so 'real', that I feel compassion for you from my own unresolved and sometimes recurring anger issues. Tormenting one's self with the double-edged sword of righteousness; and then during the editing and commentary having the the compassionate insights was so recognisable.
I'm in awe at your tenacity and the story you are sharing with us of your bicycle safari. Travel well.
This is what we need - real people on Internet!
A new subscriber
Wow, the part with Giuseppe almost made me cry. I believe it's exactly that feeling of safety and being around good hearted people that fills up your battery of life frome time to time.
Du machst echt tolle Videos. Das macht so viel Spass dir zuzusehen, Parallelen zu entdecken und gibt mir das Gefühl ich würde direkt wieder gehen (wobei ich erst vorgestern wieder heim kam von einer Tour).
Sorry but when you started swearing in German it made me laugh so much even when you’re in a bad mood you are still a joy to watch 🚴🏽♀️❤️
Congrats for making it to Bari unscathed and for putting this video together for us. Keep up the good work!
That gut feeling will save your life one day and you wouldn't even know it so don't be hard on yourself, I am sure you did the right thing.
Having travelled overland from the UK to Singapore I learnt to trust that unexplainable feeling, especially with people.
I've worked construction and raced dirt bikes, but true bike packing (carrying tent, sleeping bag, clothes, food and water on the bike) is the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. Congrats on being tough enough to even consider it let alone give it a try. Outstanding job! Sorry some creep bothered you. I carry a razor knife and will use it if need be. I've had a pack of coyotes nearby and was total scary. Supposedly wild camping is unlawful in most of the USA but I've never had much more than being told to leave. Nice video and thanks for sharing. FYI don't forget your lungs! I would defend any girl screaming and being attacked by a goon.
I love your honesty. Bikepacking isn`t always just joy and happiness and I love that you show the hard times too. :)
As a diabetic cycle tourist, I know the angry monster. Not saying you're prediabetic, no diagnosis offered, but if you think you've eaten enough and the troubles are still making you angry, you haven't. I say this for all bikepackers who have days of turning green and ripping their shirt when the trail gets hard. And for those who are diabetic, it's better to eat a little too much than push your blood suger up with anger. Enjoy the ride, eat the produce, ride the pace that feels right. And thanks for the honest presentation of your ride, Giant Cheerio. Some days, even the thing we love gives us the shits. Truth should never hurt. Love from Australia.
I’ve enjoyed every single step, you are so brave! But the casual, natural AUTHENTIC way you show everything is just MARVELOUS. GO on seeking your daily adventures and enjoying life. Best wishes!!!
✨🙏
Mud sucks! I'm really glad you showed this, it's part of the experience that doesn't get shared nearly enough. I'm glad you're recovering, can't wait to see you back out on the road again!
❤ just love to hear what ever you have to say Laura! You are awesome! My new mantra is “move your ass, your mind will follow”
Just found this video by chance... Thought it was the typical video kind of "I'm soo good, what perfect trip, what nice place, what everything I do you have to envy me" and so on.
But suddenly I was trapped and... don't know I'm just thankful I got to this video.
Thank you so much for sharing that travelling by bike is not only sunshine and blue sky. Very valuable video, even if I of course know that the weather can be very challenging. Most videos show perfect weather conditions which makes me feel that it's always a beautiful experience.Thanks!!
You are a strong woman i like your character you are an inspiration i would like to cycle all over the world like you.
Your cycle odyssey is a metaphor for life...the uphill and the downhill, the rough and the smooth... reminds me of this great quote from Rudyard Kipling...
'If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster...And treat those two impostors just the same.'
I see myself in your thought, your bad moods and everything you lived. It is normal to bad moments and good moments, this is life, but we only manage to grow when we stepping out the comfort zone
Hard to believe but we have been in worse mud after landslides filled valley and we went the wrong way. Golden rule now is to backtrack to the known rather hope the unknown gets better. You are a breath of fresh air - rest and keep trucking
I'm watching your video as I type this. There are some many things I'd like to say but I only have a few lines to do so.
You are what a call a sincere person. You speak your mind. You don't try to mask your feelings. If you think something is shit you say it is shit and not the opposite. I own a mountain bike but I'm not a bikepacker. As such, I see you are finding your way with the use of the bike. You try to stay away from what you should stay away from. You stay close to what you should stay close to. A sincere person does that. A sincere person tries to rid of the bullshit within and welcomes freedom.
My personal record is 100K. Yours is many times that. The energy you speak of in this video is within you. Not because you can do 200k or 1000k, but because you have the energy to face what you need to face along the road of life.
Godspeed Cheerio
I know the feeling ,
Sometime you just feel so empty and done ,
and yet we keep going ,
That’s who we are , we don’t quit .
❤❤❤
You rock! This is so inspirational I just want to quit my job and go riding again❤. Whenever I’ve been touring I’ve always found the locals make the trip and they provide, home cooked food, help, a dry place to sleep, kindness, even friendly local dogs following along for the ride. These are the things you will remember more than the views or ticking off boxes in a guidebook. You might not realise it now but these experiences, no matter how bad they seem at the time will shape you as person, they really have done for me. Keep on keeping on, you can do anything if you put your mind to it!!!! If you need more inspiration just think of all the people chained to a desk, (unfortunately like me), that are living vicariously through you!!! 🤟🏻 Rock on!!!
There is a lot of value in showing the reality of the low times, as well as the happy times. I appreciate your honesty, integrity and authenticity to reveal this to your audience. It shows us, that CZcams content creators, nomad lifestyles... Are not a bed of roses, in reality, and can truly be very trying, testing and push you to your limits and that it's quite normal to be outside your comfort zone regularly. You just have the guts to show that, the guts, strength and resilience to push/pedal through the shit and get to the other side. You are a beautiful person, inside and out, you are so strong, inside and out. You are on an amazing journey of self discovery and growth, because you truly have guts and a massive heart. Sometimes, at the "right" time, space, and place, it is wise to allow yourself, to feel the low, really feel it without resistance...get to the root, see what it's about, feel it to heal it, so it clears out of your whole system.
You are so capable and you inspire empowerment in others. There is also strength in being gentle with yourself so please remember, to also be gentle with yourself. Love and many Blessings to you😊 🙏🌼🌺💛🌼🌺💛🌼🌺💛🌼
So much rage in you, girl. Deep seated rage. It all comes from past hurts. Be loving & kind to yourself ❤
Sometimes you just gotta let it all out to become peaceful again!
Smart Lady, always, always, listen to your inter voice. I really enjoyed your video, you were tired, you needed the rest. Hi from USA
Wow. One of your best episodes without a doubt. As I'm about to start my very first bike packing trip in solo, I'm expecting some of these shitty moments. I'm scared, but at the same time, looking at you fighting against yourself make me believe that I can do it too. So thank you so much, keep going ,you're amazing ❤
Sharing struggles makes me watch. I feel you are real and not a fake person.this episode is great. Say it straight. Keep on loving and living the real life
You've managed to pack a lot into this video. There's heartache, doubt, endurance, human kindness, potential danger, realism, humour, our own fallibility and great technical film editing. Thanks for sharing your journey and inspiring me as a middle age dad to go and explore with a tent boots and maybe one day a bicycle.
Alot of wringing. Geez she hasn't even learnt what doing it tough is..all saw was a spoilt soon who shouldn't be bikepacking but having a boyfriend to do everything for her or girlfriend
Great video, always trust your gut when conditions start changing. People are the most unpredictable. Stay safe, enjoy your life 👍
love the realistic viewpoint, bike touring is not always a dream, but in the end it is usually worth it :)
Yes, unfortunately there are always people who scare us or who are badly intentioned... When you're alone, it's always a bit difficult, or you can be totally happy with certain people! That's life, and it's true that for us it's easier in front of the screen... Keep going on the road of your bike and on the road of your life, both leading to happiness! Take good care of yourself. Long life to you and to all those who pedal. ☺☺☺☺
... and I'm happy now to watch your encounter with Giuseppe ! 😍
What a fantastic video.
I absolutely love your channel.
You’re a true inspiration.
Thank you ❤
24:28 what a love letter to bikepaking, beautiful:)
The german swearing at the beginning of this video was hilarious. This video is great. It's real and unfiltered. Perfect ! There is something hilarious when people (english as second language) swear. I'm still laughing.
It’s so good that you share the bad days too. Hours and hours alone in your head can be hard. Glad to hear you got over that episode
Wonderful video! Cycling is tough. You stink, bugs crawl in your tent. I once had a bug crawl in my ear, it sounded like an elephant in my head. Your smile is amazing.
Losing sleep, worrying about camp visitors, is not good. You need to follow your gut feelings, move on, and you did. Nothing may have happened, but you probably would have gotten no sleep buy worrying. I have had many trips in lesser known places, both on bike and on foot. Following my gut instincts has kept me traveling, and I am just short of 70 years young! Enjoy your wanderings!
Also ich finde Deine Schimpftiraden sehr erfrischend und kann sie sehr gut nachvollziehen.
Weiter so!
Loved this, it was such a wonderful honest look at your journey, and I loved Gezzepa, he made me wanna be better ! keep going and posting, I'm a new subscriber & love it
Your journey is very inspirational! Thanks for sharing it with us. The kindness those Italian strangers showed you is incredible and heartwarming. Cheers !
Welcome to the world of us normal people.
In 1998 my late wife and I went camping in Scotland in August and it rained almost every day for 6 weeks.
Schwalb tyres! I have had my tourer for nearly fifeen years, and never had a puncture! My lovely Dawes Super Galaxy! And Schwalbs, of course!❤😊❤😊
Thanks for a fantastic video with no sugar coating of the realities of bike travelling. Hope you get your mojo back. You are so inspiring! ❤
You made a good choice in bailing to a "proper" campsite, a lone female can never be to careful. Best to be safe. You deserve some time off, enjoy it. And I agree, constant filming can be more of a chore than an enjoyment. The main bit of advice I got from this is not to bother going to Italy 😂. Love the channel, ride safe 👍
Great video! Love the authenticity! Glad your safe and your so inspiring!
I love your videos-always so honest.It's reassuring to see that other people suffer highs and lows and how you cope with them. More power to you and I look forward to watching anything you post.
So glad you’re safe. It’s wonderful to watch your films, although please don’t feel compelled to film every day. Filming every day makes it a chore for you. We’d prefer that you enjoy sharing your story and not feel compelled to film. Well done for making it through Italy and thank you for sharing your true feelings about the bad as well as the good. You are an inspiration. Ciao. xx
Thx for this video. Yes sometimes life is hard. Danke
Your honesty is much appreciated. We all have times of feeling down or mentally tired.
Following that gut feeling is a wise choice.
Thank you for sharing.
I began watching this expecting to stop quite soon, but your challenges and, most of all, your surmounting them, kept my attention solidly. Maximum Respect for your pluck on even the easier days, let alone the bad days. You are on a journey alright, in every sense. Thank you.
Laura this was the best viedo you have ever made, so touching, with Guiseppe it brought tears into my eyes....enjoy your trip.
I think it's good that you have followed your feeling to leave the place.
It doesn’t matter if you don’t show “nice” things. The fact that you show and express your emotions makes it good and worthy to watch.. You are doing this very well.. Ride safe!
What a great episode. Keep going. The good cycling days will always out weigh the bad ones. Inspirational 😊
thank for the video !
What you're doing is inspiring ! I find your trips kind of hardcore and yet you finish them. It really feels good to watch your video :)
Keep on keeping on Cheerio! You're an inspiration to all of us!
Love this vid, showing the difference between travelling and going on holidays in a very intense way. No high-glossy promo stuff, just real life on the road. Deeply emotional insights, thanks a lot for sharing! I hope you can fully recover soon and pass your next adventures. Truly inspiring! Ride on, whereever the road may take you 👍
Thank you for sharing this honest part of your journey. It is so so so important to share the lows as well!
Love you to bits for your honesty and authenticity. I'm recently back from 5 weeks bike packing across Europe and often started of by saying, with a smile, 'hey ho, lets go'. What ever you choose to do, you will make the right thing. Thank you for the videos, you have been a bit of an inspiration to me.
Great video! I went through all your highs and lows, bikepacking certainly affects us all in this way.Good luck on the rest of your journey!
Real inspiration to have a go at bike packing. We’ve really enjoyed your adventures and views on life😊
Thank you for sharing and making the effort to speak in English ❤ I appreciate how honest you always are, it’s why I watch your videos.
Only one thing, you're a powerful Hero, I'm a man and wouldn't have been able to accomplish that trip, in those conditions. A huge stand up and an infinite round of applause. Very nice video, and as Italian I hope you won't remember only the difficulties you had along the Italian roads. I am very glad you found nice Italian families that have helped you in somehow. ❤
Beautiful video and wonderful to see someone sharing the realities of the bike packing life. We rode to Tuscany early this summer and had a lot of rain and share your frustrations. My wife and I started bike touring after living on a small boat for many years and it reminds us a lot of life onboard. You carry needs not wants and everyday is a gift when you are free, as they say less is more. Amazing how the world opened up to you and you found a home and place to reenergise when you needed it. We have found that if you are open to it the world provides what everything you need, although sometimes they’re hard lessons and its not always easy moments to get through. And isn’t it amazing that those that give the most are always those with the least. Carry on inspiring and if you ever want a couple to share some cycling adventures with let us know we are already planning our next adventure! Cheerio ;-)
Cheerio, you're collecting wisdom on your journey. You trusted your instincts, and you were right, but again you met some beautiful people along the way to counter-balance the bad. Thank you for sharing your adventures.
Cheerio, it's soooo good to hear you talk so honestly about the realities of being on the road!
Top marks as ever Giant Cheerio. You inspired me for a cycle tour in France and when it got tough or hot, I thought you would not give up, so neither will I. I had an epic time and have some great memories, thank you for the inspiration. 😀
Setup and tips videos! LET'S GOOOO!
- Top 10 Must Take Items
- Tips for Setting up Camp in the RAIN (my biggest "fear")
- 3 Things you didn't Expect but LOVE about bikepacking
- 3 Things you didn't Expect but HATE about bikepacking
- Top 5 Cheap Bikepacking Items
- How to plan your route for a long bikepacking trip
- Bikepacking psychology: How to keep moving on the WORST days
Been subscribed for about 6 months, loving your stuff, keeping it real, a real inspiration to get out on my bike more often! Pedal on!
- From Australia.
Good to see you in a better place at the end of the video. Also lovely to see that human kindness does still exist with the lovely families in italy. Please look after yourself and you were probably right to go to an official camp ground , always opt for safety. Cheerio, have a good summer in the sunshine.
It's obvious you put a lot of time and effort in making these videos. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, emotions and adventures!
The best bikepacking video ever. planning my cross europe tour within few months. thank you for being so real and emotional.
Glad you are ok, your videos are so real on the difficulty that we have at times.
Amazing video. I love your candidness. I look forward to seeing more. A good thing is knowing that one day you will be able to go back and watch these videos and have a real laugh. I wish you an amazing journey!!
You inspired me to finally go on my first solo bike-packing trip. I love the content and the way you show the reality of cycling.
👏🚲
Ich bin ehrlich, ich liebe deinen Account so sehr! Ich fahre selbst im September das erste Mal eine Längere Tour von Berlin nach Kopenhagen und du bist dafür eine große Inspiration. Wenn Ich deine Videos sehe kann ichs kaum erwarten selbst los zu düsen!
What an emotional video, you've gone through so many testing times. It was wonderful to see you meeting the Italian family, it must have been such a boost for you at a time when you were feeling low. Whether you realise it or not, your videos are such an inspiration to so many people who are following your travels. As an ex cyclo-cross enthusiast, i feel your pain at having your wheels clogged up with mud. Stay safe, stay well, cheerio!
She's riding short distances with lots of gear across a modern country, not crossing the Saharah bare foot.
Laura, I admire your tenacity, your multi-lingual swearing and your push forward. Everyone hits the lowest lows, but you got yourself out of it and kept going. Love your honest heart felt videos.
what a slimer
Thank you so much for sharing this very honest account of solo bike packing! There are many videos showing none of the hard parts, and you are very courageous to share yours with all of us! Best of luck!
What a great episode. So honost and how bike packing also can be. Thank you so much for sharing your impressions and adventures. Wonderful how supporting people can give back power to ourselfs.
Thanks for keeping it real! Strong work. Very inspiring.
Hi Lara, that was a difficult video to watch the way your travels stressed you out. I'm glad you're ok and trying a different path. I once suggested to you that you stop somewhere for a while and get a job doing anything. You'd be able to build your strength up again and be in a better mindset to resume your travels. Have you thought about finding a like minded travel companion. If you stop for a while you might meet someone you could travel with. I wish you all the best and keep on trusting your gut.❤
This video was so intens and inpirational! Thank you for telling this story!
Hello! I stumbled on to you video, and I LOVED it.
So many bikepacking content makers are all smiles and rainbows. It was good to see raw emotions and that it's not always easy or fun.
Glad your feeling better.
The bit where you say to yourself, "Cheerio, hey ho, let's go!" just broke me. Sometimes that's all we have left in us, and it's the fuel that propels us to our destination for the day. To a point of recovery, a break between day and day. You're so strong and resilient. Even when you lose your temper and swear away in German, that's fuel again! I hid muddy patches sooo many times in my recent big trip and I swore like never before, just incessant self-talk and cussing and... upon looking back now, there was 20% enjoyment in it all as well. May you fall asleep each night with pride in your heart, you're doing great!
Are you a broken man now?
@@HelgeStrichen Haha, beyond repair, this is the end!
What a Strength and Courage !!
You are a Winner !!
As an aspiring bike-packer I've been watching your videos a long time and they're always really interesting. But that was something else, it was emotionally impactful. And not just because of those wonderful, kind people you met but because you've got a gift as a storyteller and film maker.
Thank you for sharing your journey, best of luck (& hopefully no more punctures) in the future. Very brave indeed ✌️❣️
Keep your head up! Thanks for sharing.
I want to really thank you for making me laugh today. I truly love the way you used the colorful German expletives. You brought laughter, and your outgoing adventures will be enjoyable. So do not fret as go on. it's part of life. Take care of yourself and be safe. Maranatha
Thanks for such nice words:)
Great video. Thank you.
Very inspiring for your stegh and will. thank you for taking the time film your jurney! I am recoving from a bike accedent for almost a year, it still affect my confidencw now taking it easy not doing much. but watching video like yours is very inspiring. thank you!!
this is such an important video, thank you for talking about the tough parts too
Thank you for sharing your journey with us!
I mean this from my heart. Your showing signs of PTSD. Sending healing hug. Second one I’ve watched . Subscribed. ❤✌🏼🙏🏼
Incredible journey. Ur a strong character. Well done for puttin through!
As an (Italian) woman I'm deeply sorry for what happened to you about the creepy visitors, that's my country and I'm a bikepacker too, but I don't feel safe outside the official camp sites
Beautiful video, thanks
Your honesty in sharing the highs and lows of Bikepacking is refreshing. I think many of us can relate to the suffer fest that comes with traveling by bicycle. Thanks for sharing. If you have never cycled in the US consider the Great Lakes Region in the Midwest. I think you would rather enjoy yourself. Just know the summer time in the area of the US is HOT and HUMID. Keep the rubber side on the road.
Great video thanks for posting this.
Everyone needs a break at some point. Your journey is for you. I‘m glad you share parts of it, but you shouldn’t feel obligated to share more than you feel comfortable with. - If you are taking some down time, then enjoy it to the utmost.
Your 3 flats had me smiling. I just returned from my little thousand Km bike camping trip for this year. 2,5 weeks with zero mechanical problems despite a few hundred Km of off pavement riding. On my second day home I went for a ride with nothing on the bike but me and my little emergency supplies. Two flats in one day! And, after more than fifty years of frequent bike holidays something totally unexpected happened. When remounting the rear tire I snapped the skewer on the rear wheel. 🤦🏻 Life always has surprises for us.
Take care. Enjoy yourself.
Think positive, keep calm and carry on, your doing good, you’re an inspiration 👍👍👍