From Pans to Panniers

Hello & welcome to our website!

After almost 30 years of steaming, roasting, frying & braising foods in all different kinds of kitchens around the world, from small restaurants, University catering, large 5-star hotels to luxury cruise ships, I felt it was time to put my professional passion of cooking on the backburner and make my passion for cycling a more important part of day to day life - in simple words - less cooking, more cycling!

About three years ago, my thoughts made a humble beginning to start planning the transition from pans to panniers! A long distance cycle ride was the dream. It had to be something a bit unusual, partially off the grid, world encompassing. Diving into the unknown, the new, the challenging regardless of my slightly advanced age & not very athletic looking body shape...

The first hurdle was: How do I explain my dream to Rebecca, my partner & soulmate for over 18 years, in a way it would not be rejected on the outset? How could I possibly have said: "I'm off, see you in 12 months on the other side of the globe!"

Patience & perseverance are winning tools!

"What about a cycle ride on Sunday afternoon with a cake stop on route? Shall we have a ride, despite the rain and the wind? France has nice & flat long distance bike routes, what about trying it out for a couple of weeks? Will you be happy to carry two panniers & will transport the rest in my four?" Questions like those got asked on a regular basis over a considerable number of months, nurturing that first spark to become a continuous burning fire for both of us!...

And here we are: Three years later we are just about ready to set off into the horizon! Rebecca, of course with four panniers by now, and I will be setting off into the unknown, cycling from Oxfordshire, UK to Sydney, Australia.

You are welcome to be part of our journey!