This article was created by National Geographic Traveler (UK).
Tell us about your earliest travel memory.
My first real travel experience was going to Dartmoor National Park in south Devon with my dad. We went horseback riding and wild camping, but it was winter and I was only 6 years old and it was very cold. I remember my father saying to me: Sometimes you just have to keep your head down and ride out the storm. Because what’s on the other side is amazing. ” He is a former Royal Marine Special Forces officer who taught me a lot about the resilience and sense of adventure of the human spirit. Adventure always begins from within. It’s not just a problem around you. It means living with your eyes wide open and being grateful for life.
You are good at pulling others out of their comfort zone. What takes you away from yourself?
Despite flying a lot for work over the years, I’m not sure I particularly like the “going to the destination” part of traveling. So, I wouldn’t say I’m great at traveling, but I still try to visit new destinations as much as I can. In that sense, I’ve spent most of my life outside of my comfort zone. I think of it as a comfort hole that I want to get out of as soon as possible.
Do you have any top travel tips?
I always try to travel without expectations. Adventures only happen when things go wrong. No matter what happens, stay agile, expect the unexpected, and remember your sense of humor.
What is your favorite place in England?
I love the Isle of Wight. I recently went to see my girlfriend’s mother, so I decided to go paragliding. [Jeep] Defender, we pitched our tents and headed to the sea cliffs to the south of the island. There was hardly any house in sight, just miles of views and plenty of cliffs to jump off of. It was incredible. But my favorite place has always been Wales. There is so much to see, including incredibly beautiful beaches, mountains, caves, and waterfalls. My family owns a small island a few miles off the coast of North Wales, completely off the grid. The house runs on wind and solar power and collects rainwater from the roof. It can be isolating sometimes, but I like it. Although I spend most of the year with people, I’m not a natural extrovert and need quiet time to sit and recharge.
How can we encourage people to travel more responsibly?
It’s all about leading by example. We must strive to make responsible living our aspiration. The world is a gift to experience, but we must always temper it with love and respect for the places we go. Now people have knowledge. They want to travel with socially responsible companies and will want the adventure travel industry to respond to that. After all, if you love something, be it a particular culture or environment, you want to protect it.
This new collaboration with Brompton seems like an unlikely combination: an adventurer and a commuter bike. How did this come about?
I’ve ridden Bromptons all my life, so this partnership has been brewing for a long time. I travel a lot, and contrary to what it looks like, it’s not all jungles, deserts, and mountains. The rest of the year is spent in the city, attending conferences, conventions, and events. However, I find it very difficult to be tied to a car or taxi in a big city, so I always ride a Brompton. When you arrive in a new place, it’s great to have an easy way to just get out and explore. It greatly affects the mental state of the adventure.
Where is next on your travel list?
The more I travel, the more I realize how wonderful the world is. But sometimes the best adventures are just around the corner. I thought I knew every nook and cranny about the Brecon Beacons (now Bannow his Brycheiniog), but last night I was camping there with some old friends and discovered this amazing hidden valley with its own waterfall. I discovered. It was like the Chronicles of Narnia. I didn’t know it was there. The truth is, you don’t have to save up a ton of money to travel halfway around the world to experience a new place on a weekend or at night. You need to use your imagination.
Of all your accomplishments, what are you most proud of?
My role as Chief Scout. It is a tremendous honor to be able to advocate and represent 57 million young people who may not have necessarily had the opportunity to experience many adventures in life.
Bear Grylls is best known for presenting shows such as Born Survivor and Running Wild with Bear Grylls. He has led several record-breaking expeditions in support of charities and has held the position of Chief Scout for Great Britain and Overseas Territories since 2009.
The Brompton x Bear Grylls C Line Explore bike is available now. Published in his January/February 2024 issue of National Geographic Traveler (UK).
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