Starting this week, I’ll cycle from the breezy shores of the Baltic Sea all the way to the sun-baked rock of Gibraltar. That’s 6,000 slow-motion kilometers to question my decision to cross Europe the hard way.
By the time I reach the finish line, my legs might unfriend me - but they’ll be pedaling for a purpose: Phuket’s own Sustainable Maikhao Foundation (SMF). I’m trading in my flip-flops for bike cleats to shine a spotlight on an environmental cause that hits close to home.
Do I still have it in me?
This isn’t my first long-haul spin. In 2010, I cycled coast-to-coast across North America. A year later, I crossed Europe - from Lisbon to Istanbul - on a totally different route, direction, bike and mission.
Fourteen years have spun past since I last tackled something this physically intense. The big question now is: do I still have the gears - and the grit - to pull this off again?
Why the Sustainable Maikhao Foundation?
Because they don’t just preach green - they get their hands dirty protecting what makes Phuket extraordinary: its natural environment.
They’ve led over 300 beach cleanups across Greater Phuket, clearing more than 25 tonnes of trash. They also teach local kids that sustainability is a lifestyle, not just a buzzword. Last month, SMF celebrated its fifth anniversary by launching the Campaign for 2030, an ambitious drive to raise US$350,000 (approximately B11 million) to build a dedicated Learning and Recycling Center.
This ride is my high-gear salute to their mission, and a rolling reminder that local action can create global ripples.
From Estonia to (almost) Africa
TransEuropa begins on Tallinn, Estonia’s cobblestone streets. Seventy-three days and 11 countries later, it ends at the tip of the Mediterranean, just a stone’s throw from Africa.
But this ride isn’t really about the distance - it’s about connection. I’ll meet people, share stories, and spread a simple message: if a small foundation in Thailand can make a difference, anyone can. Whether you’re in Phuket or Ptuj, small steps - or steady pedal strokes - add up.
What’s ahead
This Euro pedal won’t be all champagne and croissants. I’m expecting sideways rain, flat tires at the worst moments and enough wrong turns to qualify as a scenic tour. I’ll likely encounter enthusiastic dog escorts, physics-defying headwinds and at least one meltdown - mechanical, emotional, or both.
But then, every so often, comes the bliss: that quiet, soul-filling moment when the world opens up from the best seat in the house - the saddle. Cycle touring feels strangely Thai. It’s mai pen rai on wheels. You just roll with it, trust the road, and smile at every medieval village, mountain pass and sun-drenched vineyard that greets your tires.
And yes, I’ll be fueling the mission with pierogi in Poland, paella in Spain and anything edible Italy throws my way. Saving the planet requires carbs.
Join the journey
This ride is all about shining a light on Phuket - not just as a paradise, but as an ecological gem worth protecting. A place where the love for nature runs deep. Every pedal stroke sends a message. Every action makes a difference.
Follow the journey on:
• Facebook: @Sustainable Mai Khao // @thephuketnews
• Instagram: @sustainable.maikhao // @thephuketnews
A big thanks to The Phuket News, official media sponsor of the ride, for championing this cause across its print, radio and digital channels.
• Share this with anyone who loves bikes, beaches, or probably unwise adventures.
• Support the Campaign for 2030: sustainablemaikhaofoundation.org
TransEuropa 2025 isn’t just a bike ride. It’s a sweaty demonstration that even small wheels can take on big challenges. And sometimes, the best way to move the world forward is to pedal furiously in what you hope is the right direction.
Adventurer Todd Miller has explored more than 115 countries. He authored the best-seller ENRICH: Create Wealth in Time, Money, and Meaning. www.ToddMiller.asia.