Alex Sidney from Dereham cycles tall bike to Cyprus

Mr Sidney, 20 and from Dereham, left England a year ago, aiming to pedal his way into the record books by becoming the first person in history to cycle a tall bike around the world. 

Alex Sidney, his tall bike, tent, and all of his belongings on his journey around the world. (Image: Supplied by Alex Sidney)

He took six months to get to Cyprus having cycled through 17 countries, and he plans to stay on the Mediterranean island for a least a few more months until he decides which path to follow next. 

Mr Sidney said: “The general reaction to seeing a young man cycling a 120kg tall bike around the world is one of confusion, shock, awe and curiosity.

Alex Sidney during his tallbike journey, admiring the view of Neuschwanstein Castle in southern Germany. (Image: Supplied by Alex Sidney)

“I received endless questions and had countless conversations with strangers, often resulting in being offered a place to pitch my tent, or even a bed to sleep in.

“There was a massive amount of kindness from strangers, and I also met plenty of other cycle travellers - not on tall bikes - along the way.”

Alex Sidney is cycling a tallbike around the world. (Image: Supplied by Alex Sidney)

Since passing through Serbia he has had a companion.

He found a stray puppy near the town of Negotin who looked “lonely” and took her to the vet to get her vaccinations and a passport.

Mr Sidney said: “I ended up keeping her as I could not find anybody to adopt her, and she has travelled with me in the tall bike ever since.”

Alex Sidney adopted the stray puppy, Nova, while he was cycling through Serbia. (Image: Supplied by Alex Sidney)

The dog, called Nova, is now nine months, and has ridden in a trailer since she outgrew the bike’s cargo bay.

The bike itself is 5ft 11in (180cm) tall and was built by a fellow enthusiast from Bournemouth. Mr Sidney said it had held up well despite not being designed to carry its total 200kg load. 

Nova used to ride on ALex Sidney's tallbike, but since he has outgrown it he now rides in a trailer. (Image: Supplied by Alex Sidney)

He said: “In Turkey I managed to crack my forks and thought the trip might be over.

"Luckily, I managed to find somebody with a welder and 10 minutes later the bike was back up and running again.

"Having a steel frame means that almost any issue is solvable.”

A view of hot air balloons in Cappadocia, Turkey, which Alex Sidney saw on his journey. (Image: Supplied by Alex Sidney)

Nova and Alex Sidney took in a stunning view of hot-air balloons over Cappadocia from his tent. (Image: Supplied by Alex Sidney)

Mr Sidney said his favourite countries for nature and wildlife were Switzerland and Bulgaria, the best food was in Hungary and Turkey and the kindest people were in Macedonia and Turkey.

The route Alex Sidney has taken so far on his journey, from the UK to Cyprus. (Image: Supplied by Alex Sidney)

An adventure: Cycling the world
Mr Sidney said the biggest challenge was money, as he left the UK with less than £100. 

He spent 2.5 months in the Netherlands taking part in a scheme called Workaway - working in exchange for food and accommodation - and raised €450 to continue his journey by busking on a public piano at Amsterdam’s main train station.

Alex Sidney on his tallbike. (Image: Supplied by Alex Sidney)

Mr Sidney said he was unsure how he would continue from Cyprus. He may continue cycling east through Asia, head back through Europe or go to the Americas.

He said: “My aim is to cycle around the world - nobody has ever done this with a tall bike.

Nova in front of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. (Image: Supplied by Alex Sidney)

"Sadly it’s most likely not going to be able to be in a linear, uninterrupted route, as there are still many countries in the world which have their borders closed due to politics, war, Covid or other factors.”