Welcome! I’m Adam Hugill, the founder of Pathfinder Bikepacking. Here’s a little about my background and the inspiration behind Pathfinder Bikepacking.
Childhood Adventures
Growing up in East Yorkshire, adventure meant bicycles. I would explore the rural landscapes of my hometown, cycling down farm tracks and footpaths until I lost all sense of direction.
Military Adventures
My journey took a different turn when I joined the military, seeking serious adventure. Throughout my military career, I led soldiers in some of the most arduous and challenging environments, often in breathtakingly beautiful landscapes. I kayaked the length of the Loire Valley, trekked the Dolpa region of Nepal, learned to ski in the Alps, and spent countless days in the mountains of Wales and Scotland.
A Spark in Afghanistan
While deployed to Afghanistan, I discovered Alistair Humphreys’ adventure travel books. “Moods of Future Joys” and “Thunder and Sunshine” document his 4-year, 5-continent, 46,000-mile bicycle journey. Reading about his incredible adventures while stuck in the concrete confines of Camp Bastion ignited a spark in me.
The First Bikepacking Journey
After that deployment, I bought a second-hand road bike and planned a trip through France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. That journey was a roaring success, and after 10 days, I was hooked. I wanted to see more of the world from the saddle of a bicycle.
An Epic Adventure
Eventually, I left the Army to embark on my own epic adventure. For 18 months, I cycled through Europe, Asia, and North America, concluding my journey in December 2019, just before the world came to a standstill.
Building a Community
Since then, I’ve focused on building a community and spending more time on bike tours with friends. One of the challenges of living in the UK is navigating busy, narrow roads with fast-moving traffic, which led me to explore quieter rural tracks and bridleways.
Why Pathfinder Bikepacking?
I founded Pathfinder Bikepacking for all those people that want to experience the best of what the world has to offer on a bicycle, but would like to do it with other likeminded people and guided by an expert.
Time is our most precious resource. I understand not everyone has the luxury to plan epic trips. Pathfinder takes care of the route planning and logistics so you can focus on what matters: creating lasting memories and forging friendships on the open road.