ANDREW WELCH

About

I started blogging in 2005 to document my bicycle travels. Over time it evolved as my travels concluded and studies and work in a technology career followed. The blog still exists as an archive of my travel articles and a space for new content that is publically accessible. There is a question mark over it’s existence but in an era where social media platforms have taken over I still think there is inherent value in having my own platform that is owned and controlled by me.

If you are interested in the back story, read on. Travel has been an important chapter of my life experience and I have written plenty about it. After a bike trip across the Highlands of Scotland in 2006, I wrote up my journal from the trip. This sparked an ongoing interest in travel writing.

In 2007 I went on a round the world cycle tour with a couple of friends, writing a blog, shooting film and photography. The process of documenting whilst travelling meant I acquired skills in digital media and editing. Our journey didn’t quite make it round the whole world but what happened instead was arguably equally interesting. This was due to our approach to travel, which was to accept every invitation for hospitality. This lead to an incredible number of wonderful side adventures.

My bike travels led me to Tbilisi, Georgia in 2008. The need to earn money to continue travelling led to an entreprenerial spirit. In 2009 I met a local guide and we partnered to run mountain bike tours. Additionally, I used my technical skills to make websites and do photography to earn some travel money.

After a massive off road bike adventure in Mongolia in 2010, I returned to the UK and studied a Masters in Design Critical Practice at Goldsmiths in London, due to a long-held desire to study the arts and an inspiration for further learning from the travelling. This study experience also influenced my writing and thinking as I was introduced to new concepts such as design thinking. It felt like I was following a thread as I had picked up a book on the topic in a shop in a remote Pakistan town.

Whilst in London I met an artist, Luce, who put me in contact with the Joya Arte E Ecologia artist residency in Spain. I left London in 2014 and went there to volunteer as artist and technical coordinator. In 2015 I did a water-themed expedition, Bajada, walking a dry watercourse from mountains to the sea to raise awareness of climate change. After that, I spent further time in Georgia on the mountain bike tour project and in 2016 I returned back to live permanently in the UK where it’s certainly not been a quiet time with family life taking over.

Books

I’ve written a series of books about my travel experiences

Travelogue books

Guidebooks

There are more… View all books on Amazon

You might be interested in the following links for further reading:

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Monetising

I have got affiliate links next to some of the gear. If you do buy anything after clicking through these links, I might get some kind of commission and that is an incentive that helps keep this site going free of charge.

Topics

Advice section

Below is a list of topics that are covered in the advice section of this website.

Health, fitness & safety, Creative, Politics, Travel / outdoors, Bike mechanics, Digital /technology, Making sense / reflection, Work / money

Reviews Section

Below is a list of links to topics that are covered in the reviews section of this website.

Rear derailleur, Bike, Grips, Tent, Pannier rack, Mountain biking equipment, Bikes, Bike Components, Camping Roll mat, Headtorch, Hammock, Dropper seat post, Hiking shoes, Power bank, Handlebars, Multi-tool, Book, Shoes, Backpack, Bike light, Tyres, Phone case, Beer, Bike frame, Base layer, Trousers, Headset, Drone, Chainring, Suspension forks, Documentary, Headphones, Luggage straps, Hubs, Socks, Voice recorder, GPS, Walkie Talkies, Solar panel, Battery charger, Camera lense, Walking poles, Trailer, Sunglasses, E-bike, E-bike motor,