"Vietnam was like a dream to me," Quinn said, standing on the shores of Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh. This world heritage site was the inspiration for his 374-day transcontinental cycling adventure and its final destination.

Gavin at Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh, 7/2025. Photo: Provided by Gavin.

Quinn, 28, from Dublin, Ireland, works in media. He always dreamed of traveling the world, combining his three greatest passions: travel, exploration, and cycling.

In 2022, he cycled 5,000 km across Europe, bikepacking—a self-supported style of cycling where all necessary gear is carried on the bike. "Cycling is the slowest and most connected way to see the world change," he said.

The catalyst for his epic journey from Europe to Asia was a photograph of Ha Long Bay. Although he had never been to Vietnam, he had always wanted to visit. His research on the country immediately impressed him with its rich history and the friendliness of its people, mirroring the international community's view.

Vietnam also presented a logical endpoint for a journey from the Atlantic to the Pacific. "I thought the ocean, big islands, and calm beaches would be the perfect ending," he said.

After six months of training and preparing documents and passport photos for visa applications along the way, Quinn set off on 1/7/2024.

His initial plan was to cycle across Europe through Spain, France, Monaco, Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Greece. From there, he would continue to Turkey, then Georgia, spending the winter in Tbilisi.

In mid-3/2025, as the snow melted, Quinn resumed his journey through the deserts of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, then over the mountains of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. For the final leg, he flew to Bangkok (Thailand) and cycled through Laos before entering Vietnam.

However, the original route changed. Quinn relied on local advice to choose suitable roads, leading him to Hungary and Serbia, despite not initially planning to visit them.

He also altered his route to avoid countries with unstable situations like Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. Difficulties obtaining a Chinese visa further forced adjustments to the final stage. Instead of going directly through Cambodia, he chose to detour through Laos to reach Vietnam.

Quinn cycled an average of five hours daily. In harsh environments like deserts, he limited cycling to early mornings and after sunset, camping overnight. Throughout his journey, he slept in his tent with an air mattress, on floors, sofas, living rooms, caravans, and guesthouses.

While he briefly cycled with a friend in France through the Pyrenees, the rest of the trip was solo. He often met short-term companions, cycling 600 km with an American woman from Bulgaria to Istanbul and 1,000 km across the deserts of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan with a British man he met in Tbilisi.

Although much of the journey was solitary, 40 days in Tajikistan proved the most physically and mentally challenging. Severe knee pain nearly forced him to give up in Dushanbe.

In the following days, his bike suffered repeated breakdowns, including broken spokes, requiring taxi trips to find repairs. He then caught the flu. Upon entering the Pamir Mountains, he experienced heatstroke, dehydration, and food poisoning. Landslides further complicated travel.

While still recovering, another setback occurred in Kyrgyzstan. A shard of glass caused a flat tire, resulting in a fall and a serious leg injury. The deep wound required surgery to remove the glass, leaving him unable to walk for a week.

"Exhaustion made me want to quit," he said. However, his fundraising goal for Purple House Cancer Support, an Irish organization providing counseling, therapy, transport to chemotherapy, support groups, and rehabilitation gyms for cancer patients, kept him going.

He persevered, continuing to Southeast Asia. The heat, humidity, managing hydration, and stomach issues left him near exhaustion.

On 8/7/2025, Quinn's bike rolled into Vietnam. He had a few days before heading to Hanoi to rest and pack his bike for the flight back to Ireland. In Hanoi, he enjoyed pho and made banh mi his favorite breakfast before cycling.

Back in Dublin, he was greeted by friends and family with banners and hugs, bringing him to tears.

Veronica O Leary, CEO of Purple House, thanked Quinn for his year-long transcontinental cycling fundraiser. She expressed gratitude for his journey in the organization's purple jersey, spreading awareness worldwide. Quinn was named a Purple House Hero for his extraordinary contribution.

"Life is fragile but also beautiful. Live it to the fullest with your dreams and loved ones," Quinn said.

Ngoc Ngan