Our Clifton Old Boys Association recently caught up with Chad Laybourne (Class of 2013) from Durban, for a short Q&A.
Chad recently cycled 5400km’s across 14 countries, starting in Helsinki, Finland and finishing in Vila Real de Santo Antonio in southern Portugal in 77 days!
His story is the latest highlight in our ongoing series, “From Our Old Boys’ Network,” where we shine a spotlight on the adventures and the achievements of some of our Old Boys. Chad shares his inspiring journey.
“Together we set out to inspire others to show up and take a swing at doing hard things, embrace suffering for a deeper purpose and raise funds for an amazing organization called World Bicycle Relief Fund.”
Chad Laybourne
Can you give us a brief overview of the trip?
Our plan was to cycle from Helsinki, Finland, to Vila Real de Santo Antonio in southern Portugal in under 90 days. My girlfriend, Moona, and I set out on this seemingly impossible journey without any support or pre-planned assistance. Everything -from navigation to sourcing food, water, and shelter – was entirely up to us.
The idea was to strip our lives down to the essentials, carrying only what we absolutely needed on our bicycles. We wanted to push our bodies and minds beyond anything we had experienced before.
Along the way, we hoped to inspire others to take on challenges, embrace the discomfort of hard things for a deeper purpose, and raise funds for an incredible organisation, World Bicycle Relief. This organisation partners with local communities in Africa and Colombia, delivering purpose-built bicycles and community-led programs to improve access to healthcare, jobs, markets, and education.
Our final trip statistics:
Cycled 5,400 km
44,975 m of elevation gained
77 days total (including rest days)
£1,215 raised (R28,784)
Crossed 14 countries
What was the motivation to tackle a journey like this?
In 2022, Moona and I were living in a quaint ski village in Northern Finland, pondering our next adventure as our lease came to an end. While Portugal tempted us with a summer of surfing, we wanted something deeper – an adventure that reflected our ethos, inspired others, and pushed our boundaries. That’s when the outrageous idea struck: why not buy second-hand bicycles, strap a tent on the back, and cycle the entire way?
We did exactly that. With almost no sewing experience, we hand-crafted bike bags to carry our tent, sleeping gear, cooking utensils, tools, spare parts, and a change of clothes. We managed 1,000 km across Sweden before devastating news hit – a family member in Finland had fallen into a coma. The trip was cancelled, and we flew home.
That first attempt left an indelible mark. Despite the mental and physical challenges, a determination to finish what we’d started took root. Miraculously, our family member recovered, and over the following year, amid travels across six countries and building our businesses online, the vision of cycling across Europe persisted.
Fast forward to March 2023 in Cape Town: we spotted the perfect bikes in a boutique store window. Buying them meant committing to the adventure. After a few days of weighing the financial sacrifice, we went for it. Three months later, after training and saving, we flew to Finland and set off.
The motivation wasn’t singular. We wanted to test our resilience, inspire others, and support those in need. I was also eager to meet the version of myself capable of enduring self-imposed trials. The idea of long days on a bike with minimal training was daunting, but it promised a journey of physical and mental growth worth every challenge.
Lessons learnt on the Road.
– You are capable of far more than you think. Every long climb reminded us that limits are often imagined.
– The bicycle is a remarkable invention – simple, yet life-changing.
– Suffering is inevitable; what matters is what you choose to suffer for. Early mornings and endless hills felt brutal but meaningful.
– Consistency is your friend. Daily pedaling, rain or shine, proved that small, steady effort wins.
– Courage pays off. Every risky decision – crossing a border, tackling a mountain pass – opened new doors.
– Quitting loses its appeal when it’s not an option.
– My bum wasn’t built for cycling, and I learned to laugh at it.
– Humans are waterproof, but not sunproof – sunburns are unforgettable lessons.
– Nothing is a failure. Every detour, delay, or setback was a chance to grow.
– If you complain about the cold, you’ll complain about the heat – it’s all part of the ride.
– Nothing worth having ever comes easy.
– Say yes to more adventures – they change you in ways you can’t imagine.
What advice would you share with yourself as a schoolboy knowing what you know now?
Don’t sell yourself short – you’re capable of achieving anything you set your mind to. Life is long if lived well, so live it with intention and humility. Your path is unique, so stay focused on your goals and ignore distractions. Most lessons are learned through play and experimentation, so don’t take things too seriously.
What experience had the biggest impact on your life whilst still a schoolboy at Clifton?
Sports at Clifton had the most profound impact on my life. They kept me active, forged lasting friendships, and taught invaluable life lessons. The camaraderie of team sports created lifelong connections, while the discipline and teamwork I learned extended far beyond the playing field.
These experiences instilled in me the value of an active lifestyle and helped shape my character, influencing how I approach challenges in all areas of life.
Could you give us an inside view of life lived off a bicycle?
Each day on the road began around 6:00 AM, 120km ahead over ever-changing terrain. Mornings brought a mix of dread, excitement, and the strange poetry of packing your life into a bike. We battled gravel roads, headwinds, heavy rain, hail, and scorching sun, all while hunting for water and food in the remotest of places.
By day 10 of 77, exhaustion hit hard -vomiting, fatigue, and dehydration became daily companions. Rest wasn’t an option, and surviving on minimal intake against endless calorie burn pushed both body and mind to their limits. Hours in the saddle created looping thoughts and an almost surreal detachment from reality. Survival became our focus: navigating routes, securing essentials, and staying positive.
Yet amid the struggle, joy flourished. Crossing the Alps, cycling past Europe’s highest glaciers, and indulging in daily ice cream and pizza reminded us why we were there. Simple pleasures became monumental, slow travel taught us presence, and 14 countries offered language, culture, and unforgettable experiences.
Through it all, the bond between Moona and me grew unbreakable, proving the saying true: “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.”
Any last thoughts?
A huge thank you to The Clifton Old Boys’ Association for reaching out and taking the time to hear about our adventure!
We shared our daily journeys on Instagram @teamhuman__, and we’d love for anyone curious to follow along – we’ll be posting even more now that we’re back.
Our donation link with The World Bicycle Relief Fund is still live, and any support would mean the world to us. You can find the link in our Instagram bio – thank you in advance for helping us make a difference!
Thank you, Chad, for sharing your journey and inspiring us along the way. Wishing you exciting adventures and unforgettable experiences in everything that comes next!
#FromOurOldBoysNetwork #WhereAreTheyNow #AdventureAwaits
