Alice Baddeley – Bike Touring Britain: Coastlines, Straight Lines and 1,000+ Mile Challenges
Alice is a long-distance bike tourer, drone pilot, and freelance creative who designs her adventures around self-imposed rules and unconventional challenges. Based in a van and working with Komoot, she uses cycling as both a mode of transport and a way to deeply explore the landscapes of Britain.
Her journeys are anything but ordinary. In 2021, Alice cycled through every town and village in Sussex, covering over 1,000 miles without leaving the county. The following year, she completed a full cycle of the British coastline.
In 2023, she attempted an even more ambitious challenge—travelling from Shoreham to Oldshoremore in as straight a line across Britain as possible.
In this episode, Alice shares how she first discovered bike touring, what inspired her to take on increasingly creative endurance challenges, and why she is drawn to journeys that combine geography, problem-solving, and adventure. She talks about life on the road in a van, the logistics behind her rides, and the realities of planning multi-week cycling expeditions using everything from paper maps to GPS apps.
We explore the highs and lows of long-distance cycling, from wild camping and weather challenges to moments of complete freedom on remote coastal routes. Alice also reflects on what she has learned from designing her own rules for adventure, and why letting go of perfection has opened the door to more meaningful experiences.
Listen to this episode to hear how cycling can become a creative practice, why the UK is full of endless adventure opportunities, and how setting your own rules might just be the best way to explore the world.
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Show notes
Being based in a van
Originally from South West London
Self employed as a drone pilot and freelancing for Komoot
Her love for cycling and using if for her main mode of transport
Getting interested in bike touring
Finding out about cycling from Lands End to John O’ Groats (LEJOG)
Finding out you don’t need to be an athlete to cycle these massive distances
Magical moments from her LEJOG Trip
Doing it with paper maps pre smart phones
Making a lifestyle decision to become self employed
Enjoying the freedom it gave her
Cycling during covid - staying local in Sussex
The Sussex 1000 challenge
Wanting to cycle the coast line of Great Britain
The reason for the name yellow vello
Loving the colour yellow
Starting to work with Komoot
Having to postpone the cycle trip around GB for 2 years
Wanting to see more of her home country
Being guided by a silly set of rules
Stick as closely to the coastline as possible
Not cycling islands unless there was a bridge
Wanting the GPS to look as close as possible to the outline of GB
Going clockwise
Why Devon and Cornwall were the hardest parts
Planning for the trip
Wanting to compete the trip in 80 days - with no days off
Having a bivvy bag but planning to stay in accommodation
When things go wrong and you end up sleeping on the beach
Spending just under £4k on accommodation
What it was like day to day
Being able to enjoy it and relax into the ride
Taking photos and filming the trip
Post admin that still needs to be done!
Did the dream match the reality
Why it was the best thing she’s ever done
Not having any really low days
Being very lucky with the weather
How the weather can impact your trip
Why the North West Coast of Scotland was incredible
340 degrees North
The Bryson Line
Book: The Road to Little Dribbling: More Notes from a Small Island: 1 By Bill Bryson
The challenges of cycling on some of the bridle ways and why there was a lot of pushing
Having the confidence to wild camp
Getting back home after the finish
The lesson learned from these trips and adventures
Not worrying as much
Using cheap bikes, buying food from supermarkets
If you’ve got an idea that is stuck in your head - that’s your gut instinct saying you should do it
Loving van life
Looking to find a base at some point
Future adventures and plans
Wanting to see more of the UK
Maybe Ireland?
Doing a perfect circle around London or maybe a flower shape?
How to connect with Alice on social media
yello.velo
Start with something small, don’t worry too much about things
The things you worry about don’t tend to happen, so don’t waste your time worrying
Don’t worry too much about how other people do things - there is no wrong or right way
Everything is really personal
Be confident and go for it!
Why it’s always great to go outside your comfort zone. The more you do that - the more adventures you go on.
Social Media
Website: www.yellovelo.co.uk
Instagram: @yello.velo
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