Go West: Pedaling Into Britain’s Past with Steve Silk
🚴♀️ A Ride Across History, Culture, and Courage
What happens when an adventure cyclist decides to follow one of Britain’s most iconic routes—not by train, but by bike?
In Go West, journalist and explorer Steve Silk cycles from central London westwards through Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and into Wales, following a route roughly based on the A40 which itself is based on the old mail coach road which ran from the very centre of the city of London to Milford Haven.. His journey becomes a vivid tapestry of landscapes and stories that define the heart of this beautiful land..
📚 About the Book “Go West” by Steve Silk
Part travelogue, part time capsule, Go West captures Silk’s 400-mile cycle from London to Wales, an odyssey that connects seaside towns, charming old villages, and some of the most scenic cycling terrain in Britain.
You’ll meet farmers, ferrymen, and fellow wanderers who reveal how the West has evolved—and how adventure travel can reconnect us to place, pace, and purpose.
Expect:
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Rolling lanes through Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and into Wales
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Historic towns and storybook pubs
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Wind-whipped coasts and moorland solitude
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Reflections on what it means to move slowly in a fast-changing world
- Marvelous stories about the history and legends along the route
Listen to my interview with author Steve Silk and his Go West book and 8 Day Cycling Adventure from London to the coast of Wales
🌿 For the Active Traveler
If you’ve ever felt the tug of a long-distance journey—by foot, paddle, or pedal—Silk’s writing will feel like your favorite stretch of trail: immersive, alive, and just challenging enough to leave you breathless.
For listeners of the Active Travel Adventures Podcast, Go West isn’t just a book—it’s an invitation to craft your own “rail-to-trail” adventure. Whether you dream of cycling the English countryside or exploring your local backroads, Silk reminds us that adventure begins when we keep moving west.
Be sure to check out all the exciting adventures featured on Active Travel Adventures! Simply use the search bar to discover adventures based on continent, activity, time of year and more!
GEAR TIP: Steve swears by Schwalbe Marathon Plus Bike Tires – he’s never had a puncture since switching to them.
✨ Why You’ll Love Go West
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Inspiring storytelling for cyclists and slow travelers
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Vivid cultural encounters across rural England
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A perfect companion for your next bikepacking trip or rainy-day armchair escape
🛒 Where to Get It
Find Go West by Steve Silk on Amazon – this is an affiliate link. At no additional cost to you, you’ll be helping to support the program and this website and help to keep it ad free – thanks! Kit
🎧 Want More Adventure Inspiration?
Be sure to follow and subscribe to the Active Travel Adventures Podcast to hear our conversation with Steve Silk about the making of Go West, his favorite cycling moments, and what it takes to find wonder on two wheels.
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