Nantwich local, Edmund Doyle, has completed an astonishing 11,000km solo cycle from Crewe to Horgos on the Chinese border, travelling through 19 countries over 139 days.

Edmund set off on 11 June 2025 on his dad's old mountain bike, inspired by a YouTube video of a Brit riding home from Shanghai.

What began as a plan to reach Turkey soon grew into a full journey across Europe and Central Asia.

Edmund finally reached the border on 28 October after 70 days in the saddle and nearly four months on the road.

Edmund Doyle set off on 11 June 2025 on his dad's old mountain bike, inspired by a YouTube video of a Brit riding home from Shanghai (Photo: Supplied).

The route took him through the Netherlands, Germany, Czechia, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

Along the way, Edmund battled illness on the Montenegro border, violent storms in Georgia, brutal desert winds in Kazakhstan and several mechanical failures, including a broken derailleur just 20km into his final 320km non-stop push to the end.

Edmund's journey saw him experience many "unforgettable" moments, from staying in an abandoned building in Karabük, being ushered into a wedding celebration by total strangers and navigating five separate passport checks at the Georgia border.

When riding across huge stretches of Kazakhstan, Edmund said it felt so empty, comparing it to "cycling on Mars."

The Nantwich local's trip was equally defined by kindness. In Kyrgyzstan, a man named Tynchtyk invited Edmund to stay with his family for three days, sharing traditional meals, tea and stories.

In Uzbekistan, a local family fed him and arranged a place for him to sleep. Even border guards, bemused by his journey, became part of the story.

Edmund told Nub News "I still can't quite believe I did it. There were so many moments along the way where I had to remind myself this wasn't a dream, that I was actually riding all the way from Cheshire to the Chinese border.

Edmund Doyle finally reached the Chinese border on 28 October after 70 days in the saddle and nearly four months on the road (Photo: Supplied).

"What made the journey even more powerful and helped me get through the tough days was the kindness I experienced along the way.

"From families inviting me into their homes to strangers helping fix my bike in the middle of nowhere, people showed me generosity I will never forget.

"It changed how I see the world, it is a far kinder place than we are often told.

"I am especially proud to have done this for men's mental health. I have struggled myself in the past, and I know how difficult it can be for men to speak up.

"Doing this ride for a cause that hits so close to home gave me purpose on the hardest days, when I was ill, when the bike collapsed under me, when the desert felt endless. I kept going because I knew why I started.

"If this journey helps even one man talk about what he's going through, or feel a little less alone, then every mile was worth it.

"You don't have to cross continents to face what you're dealing with, but you do have to take that first step. Or in my case, turn that first pedal."

So far, Edmund Doyle has raised over £4,500 for men's mental health services, with support continuing to grow (Photo: Supplied).

Edmund completed the challenge to raise money and awareness for men's mental health, a cause he believes was the fuel behind every mile.

So far, his journey has raised over £4,500 for men's mental health services, with support continuing to grow as more people hear his story.

Donations to Edmund's fundraiser remain open HERE.

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