Norwich cyclist Martin Philpot talks about his adventures

He also loves riding quiet Norfolk lanes. 

Martin’s latest adventure took him the entire length of Africa from Cairo to Cape Town. 

“I have always cycled,” said the retired teacher of Thorpe End, near Norwich, who grew up in Great Yarmouth. 

“I remember setting off to Caister when I was 11 to see my school friend and biking the Acle straight the following year. I don't think I ever did tell my parents!”  

His adventures grew steadily more ambitious. 

“I suppose my biggest achievement has to be arriving in Cape Town having cycled the 7,079 miles from Cairo,” said Martin. 

It took seven months of cycling – plus two enforced breaks, the first when he fell ill in Ethiopia and the second as the pandemic hit and he had to return to Norfolk from Namibia.  

His African journey included a six-day detour to see Nubian desert pyramids, boating along the Zambezi alongside hippos and crocodiles and encounters with wildebeest, zebras, giraffes and monkeys.  

“Scariest moments are too many to mention but mostly to do with other road users and wild dogs...oh and stone throwing youths in Ethiopia,” said Martin.  

Then there are the elephants. “One gave chase and I pedalled for my life,” he said. 

Another tactic was to wait for a passing car to slow down and shield him from attack. 

Martin usually cycles alone but sometimes joins fellow travellers for a few days. “I did once link up with a fellow cyclist heading across Botswana, for safety reasons, as there were lions and elephants about. As I said to him, if a lion chased us then I would only have to pedal faster than him, not the lion, to survive!” 

As night fell they camped inside fencing which protected communications aerials (and, it turns out, cyclists) from elephants, lying in their tents as lions roared outside.  

Humans can also be a problem. 

“Sharing the road with other road users is always going to be hazardous,” said Martin. “In Africa and South America you have to ride defensively if you want to survive. In Zambia I rode on a busy section of the Pan-African highway where my mirror was my saviour. Lorries coming up behind would not pull out but would sound their horn and you would know that you had about five seconds in which to get off the road - or be knocked off."
 
As well as his rides around the globe Martin has cycled the length and breadth of Britain. His wife Elizabeth cycles locally too, but leaves the adventure tours to Martin.  

“I love cycling in my home county but sadly I have to say that on most rides I will have at least one close pass. I have had three serious cycling accidents putting me in hospital - all just 20 miles from my doorstep," said Martin.

“The last one was on a roundabout less than a mile from home in which my Achillies was ruptured (the driver was prosecuted for careless driving).” 

His favourite Norfolk rides are taking quiet lanes to Cromer, or to Bungay via Reedham Ferry. He also gives talks to raise money for charities including the Norfolk Millenium Trust for Carers and a primary school in Ethiopia.  

Wherever his next big ride takes him, he will be travelling light, apart from a camping chair. “My one luxury item. It’s just under a kilo but what a treat!”