Adventurer at 67: Sarah Cook Cycles 24,000 Miles on the Road

When Sarah Cook reached the age of 60, she embraced a life-changing adventure that took her far beyond the comfort of her home in Cumbria, England. After renting out her flat, she invested in a touring bike and a high-quality four-season tent, allowing her to embark on a solo cycling journey along the Pacific west coast of the United States. As she pedaled away from Vancouver airport, she declared, “See you in six months!” This decision marked the beginning of a transformative experience that would redefine her concept of home and personal freedom.

The journey proved to be more than just a physical challenge; it became a profound exploration of self. Over the course of 111 days, Cook cycled to La Paz, Bolivia, solidifying her resolve to live life on her own terms. Now at 67, she has cycled an impressive 24,000 miles across multiple continents. Each day brings a sense of liberation as she turns the pedals, stating, “I feel weightless – as if I’m flying.”

A Journey of Discovery and Adventure

Cook’s adventures have taken her through diverse landscapes and cultures. Among her most memorable experiences was cycling nearly 3,000 miles across Europe, from the Black Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. She has camped beneath towering giant sequoia trees in California, wild camped in the Colombian páramo, and traversed 2,000 miles along the Patagonian coastline, fulfilling a childhood dream of reaching Ushuaia in Argentina.

Growing up in a village in Surrey, England, Cook spent her youth tracing the routes of famous explorers, fueled by a desire for adventure. As the eldest of six children, she often led her siblings on imaginative quests, creating a foundation for her future explorations. Although she pursued a degree in medical sciences and worked in a hospital hematology laboratory, a shift occurred when she decided to home school her three children.

As her children transitioned to university, Cook found herself questioning her identity beyond motherhood. “What do I do now?” she recalls. This pivotal moment prompted her to seek financial independence, leading her to train as a mountain leader and teach English as a foreign language.

Living Without Boundaries

Cook’s lifestyle has evolved into one of continuous movement. Although she returns to England regularly to visit family, she has no permanent residence. Instead, she oscillates between rentals and campsites, even camping on her flat’s carpet between tenants. “It’s not my home now,” she reflects, noting that “home is where I am.” Each night spent in her tent carries a sense of order, as she carefully organizes her belongings, creating a feeling of comfort in her transient life.

Cycling has also equipped Cook with a resilience she never anticipated. She possesses two guiding mantras: “It’ll work out,” and “Just do the next thing.” These principles provide her with strength during challenging moments, including a particularly tough stretch in Colombia where she had to push her bike uphill for five hours due to her osteoarthritis.

Despite the physical challenges that come with aging, Cook remains undeterred in her pursuit of adventure. While visiting family in the UK, she recently cycled from the Shetlands to the southernmost tip of Cornwall, overcoming grey and damp weather with an unwavering spirit. “Why do I feel so ecstatically happy, setting off on my bike on this grey, drizzly morning?” she muses, attributing her joy to the freedom that cycling brings.

Sarah Cook’s journey illustrates the power of embracing change at any age. Her story serves as an inspiration for those contemplating new directions in life, particularly after the age of 60. Cook challenges traditional notions of home and fulfillment, proving that adventure awaits those willing to seek it.