10 Years of Slow: A Reflection

In January, I found myself in the midst of a Transylvanian winter (25 below zero), chatting to writer William Blacker, author of the celebrated Along the Enchanted Way. “I’d like to bring adventurous travellers here to cycle from village to village,” I asserted. William looked outside, where a metre of snow blanketed everything. If he thought I was mad, he did a good job of hiding it, suggesting simply that I meet his friend, who was in the process of building 100 kms of cycling trails as part of a project run by Anglo-Romanian charity Fundatia ADEPT. Five months later, William’s friend and I welcomed the first ever Slow Cyclists to Transylvania. In February of 2015 I wrote to my very few newsletter subscribers:

“Do you believe travel is worth taking time over? That a great holiday means getting under the skin of a place by delving into its cuisine, history and customs and getting to know its people? If so, and you've got some juice in your legs, we think you'd love The Slow Cyclist.

It’s good to see that our ethos of travel hasn’t changed in the past decade.

In 2016, we ventured to Georgia and Rwanda, launching two new destinations in the same year. Only one remains on our roster today. Why? Because over time we’ve learned that a destination has to truly work for it to become a Slow Cyclist trip. It needs the right roads, the right people, the right rhythm. And sometimes, that takes trial and error.

This was also the year I lived in Transylvania full-time. Life was slower, wilder, and deeply inspiring. I’ll never forget it.

Watch: A short film we still love: The Important Places. It’s about fathers, sons, and the places that shape us. Watch it with a tissue.

Guest Testimonials

• “A quite extraordinary week. It will remain long in the memory. It was all totally magical and was beautifully organised. We loved your team. Jaco was inspiring, the locals charming, friendly. Unforgettable.” — Mark W
• “It was our second holiday with The Slow Cyclist. Again, impeccable organisation, nothing is too much trouble, a great mix of cycling in quiet and dramatic terrain, history, culture, wonderful food and amazing memories.” — Jacky S
• “The most perfect trip. I don't know how you've managed to find all the incredible behind-closed-doors secrets that you have, but there were just neverending delights. Wonderful.” — Eliza B
• “A truly magical experience. Spectacular, breathtaking place steeped in history. We had the most memorable time and guided by the best trio.” — Jenny H

We were proud to lead a fundraising journey through Rwanda for the charity Hope and Homes for Children. One guest, David Jones, wrote: "Hilly, absolutely beautiful, and home to some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met."

His account remains one of the most moving stories ever published on our site. Rwanda has become one of our most beloved destinations.

Read David’s story: Rwanda: A Cyclist’s View
Book recommendation: Our top reads about Rwanda

Guest Testimonials

• “We absolutely adored every last beautiful minute. We had the most wonderful time getting to know your team during our cycling chats on the road, listening to Jado’s marvellous singing or their various translations en route with the kids. The whole week was full of laughter and smiles.” — Emma M

E-bikes were never part of the plan. When I founded the business, I’d never seen one, let alone ridden one. I was dubious when it was put to me, back in 2016, that we should invest in a few. I suppose I was something of a purist, excited to be discovering new places on two wheels, but intent on putting in some puff to keep me moving forwards.

Oh how times change. I rode an e-bike for the first time in 2018 and have never looked back. Straight away I loved the handling - just like an analogue bike (as I now call them) but with the option of some power up those hills. Our guests seemed to agree and by the end of 2018 more than 50% were choosing to pay a supplementary charge to use an e-bike when travelling with The Slow Cyclist.

It wasn’t until 2021 that we began providing e-bikes as standard, but 2018 was the year I realised how lucky I was to have founded The Slow Cyclist around the time that electric was gaining momentum.

It was also the year I came across the Hummingbird, the world’s lightest electric bike. She’s still a beauty, all these years later. And built in Banbury, just down the road from our HQ.

That year, we were named one of Condé Nast’s Top Travel Specialists—a proud moment for our small but mighty team. It was a reminder that what we were building mattered. That our commitment to craft, detail, and care was being seen.

Watch: If you haven’t yet watched Free Solo, do. It’s a jaw-dropping meditation on fear, freedom and determination.

Guest Testimonials

• “A wonderful immersion in Basque culture, scenery, wine and cuisine. Five days of indulgence with a bit of cycling thrown in. The Slow Cyclist managed to tick all the boxes. Highly recommend.” — Peter W

It was a year none of us will forget. As borders closed, we kept going—redesigning trips, supporting guests, and reimagining what Slow could look like in a changed world.

I worked from home in Oxfordshire, looking out over lambing fields and wondering what the future would bring. Our guests stuck with us. Our team dug deep. And in the stillness, a quiet resilience took root.

Discover: The Bothy Project—tiny, creative spaces in remote landscapes. Perfect pandemic dreaming.

Guest Testimonials:

• “Our third time with The Slow Cyclist and it was a superlative trip. The scenery, and places to stay were perfect. But the outstanding thing to me was the approach of your team.” — Nigel S

Asked what makes our trips special, I found myself answering with a single word: love.

Love is in the details—the handwritten welcome notes, the perfectly chilled rosé at lunch, the guest who returns for a fourth time and finds the same host waiting. Our trips work because the people who lead them care deeply.

Watch: Collective (Romania, 2019). A gripping and profound documentary on truth, corruption and courage.

Guest Testimonials

“Everything about the holiday was The Slow Cyclist at its very best. Great companionship, the most beautiful countryside. Nothing was too much trouble for the team. Amazing!” — Alastair B

In Turkey’s Taurus Mountains, we built a camp from scratch. Locals helped. So did inmates from a nearby prison, who sewed our bed sheets. The result was something magical: a place of silence, stars and stillness.

Cook: Try Summer Kitchens by Olia Hercules for Eastern European recipes with soul.

Guest Testimonials

• “Another awesome trip from The Slow Cyclist. The attention to detail is second to none, the camp was a wonderful addition but our guides and all the staff were exceptional - a truly great week of cycling, walking, culture with oodles of laughter, scrummy food and stunning scenery.” — Tina O

Travelling with my young sons reminded me of something vital: that wonder is a muscle best flexed in the wild.

We picnicked in Transylvanian meadows, watched bears, flew kites, and climbed church towers. More and more of our guests are bringing children and grandchildren. And it works. Beautifully.

Don’t miss:

• The Swimmers (Netflix)
• Where Are You Going? podcast
• Soundscapes from British national parks

Guest Testimonials

• “We absolutely adored every last beautiful minute. We had the most wonderful time getting to know your team during our cycling chats on the road, listening to Jado’s marvellous singing or their various translations en route with the kids. The whole week was full of laughter and smiles.” — Emma M

Our Chief Trip Designer, Emily, poured her heart into our latest destination: Armenia. With nothing but a few numbers and a hunch, she built a journey that reflects everything we stand for—human connection, wild landscapes, and joy.

If you read just one thing today, make it her story. It captures what we do better than I ever could.

Eat: If you're in Cape Town, go to Seven Colours Eatery. Thank us later.

Guest Testimonials

• “I absolutely loved, loved, loved it. The whole experience. Cycling and walking in a remote and undiscovered part of the country with no tourists….the guides and hosts and their enthusiasm, passion, knowledge and care, the attention to detail and meticulous planning and logistics.” — Jim G, Taurus Mountains
• “Another awesome trip from The Slow Cyclist. The attention to detail is second to none, the camp was a wonderful addition but our guides and all the staff were exceptional - a truly great week of cycling, walking, culture with oodles of laughter, scrummy food and stunning scenery.” — Tina O, Taurus Mountains

Ten years ago, The Slow Cyclist was just an idea. Today, it’s a community. A way of travelling. A way of seeing.

We’ve made mistakes. We’ve learned. And we’ve grown—not just in size, but in spirit. The world moves fast. We’re proud to offer an alternative.

Here’s to the next ten years of moving slowly, deeply, and together.

Find out more about our 10 Year Anniversary celebrations. And be sure to sign up to our newsletter below for inspiration in your inbox.