A JERSEY woman who had never previously considered cycling as a way to travel has ridden solo all the way from France to Japan – crossing 24 countries along the way.
Rosie Hill, who had been living in France for four years before embarking on the long journey, said that the idea first came after meeting friends who cycled frequently and realising it was an eco-friendly way to “observe the environment” while travelling.
Before setting off, Ms Hill had been working in organic farming between different farms in France.
In early June 2024, she left the south of France, beginning what became a 20-month journey across Europe and Asia.
She is now in Taiwan, which is the 24th country she has travelled through.
After reaching Japan, she stayed for a while before travelling to Taiwan, where she started teaching English to children aged six to 17.
While she told the JEP she had found teaching English for the first time “hard”, she explained that she enjoys a challenge, which was part of the reason she decided to begin the journey.
Lessons are varied, she explained, ranging from basic vocabulary to distinguishing between metaphors and similes, but it is relaying grammatical rules – things that native speakers learn by “exposure” and often do without thinking – that is the most challenging.
Of course, teaching grammar is no match for the difficulty and intensity of cycling for long stretches.
“I’m quite good at my own company, but when you are by yourself for a long time… you get more in your thoughts… [And] you’re kind of having to make every little decision by yourself,” she explained.
Her trip has also prompted some deeper reflection about “how lucky I am to have this freedom”.
“Some countries I’ve been travelling through, it’s just not the same… especially for women. They do not have the same opportunities,” Ms Hill added.
Miss Hill said one of the most striking moments of the trip had been the cultural shift when travelling from Eastern Europe into Turkey.
Parts of Eastern Europe, such as Bulgaria, felt “very empty” due to their declining populations, she explained, while arriving in Turkey felt like a major change.
“Taiwan has been amazing. Where I am now. China was also fascinating. The landscapes in Central Asia — incredible. Turkey was like the first big change in culture, customs, religion. It was so bustling, filled with street vendors, there was just so much happening.”
Arriving in Taiwan, her original plan was that the trip would be “over”, but, she admitted that her mindset had since shifted.
“I’m thinking, will it continue again? I don’t know yet…”
