TWO TRAVEL writers have embarked on a 2,000km cycle journey from their hometown of Rugby to the northernmost tip of the Shetland Islands on old, dust-covered bikes.
Chris and Simon Raven, the authors of Driving the Trans-Siberian, came up with the idea when they stumbled upon two forgotten mountain bikes from the 90s in a shed at their family home.
Rather than discard them, the brothers – both former pupils of Lawrence Sheriff School – saw potential. A wild idea began to take shape: why not restore the bikes and embark on an epic journey to Unst, an island at the northernmost point of Britain?
Before the first pedal could be turned, the bikes required serious attention. With limited mechanical experience, the brothers spent a weekend in the shed to bring them back to life for one last grand adventure.
With the bikes finally road-ready, the brothers set off from the street where they had learnt to ride a bicycle as kids. The journey would take them thousands of kilometres across diverse landscapes; the picturesque and iconic canal network and waterways to Manchester, the serene cattle countryside of the Yorkshire Dales and the Pennines and onto the rugged beauty of Scotland’s Highlands and the windy and wild islands of Orkney and Shetland.
The initial days were tough. The weight of their bags, filled with camping gear, food, and essential supplies, slowed their progress. The weather, too, was unpredictable — sunshine one moment, heavy rain the next. Yet, the brothers pressed on, motivated by the thought of reaching Unst.
As they cycled further north, the challenges intensified. The hills grew steeper, the wind fiercer, and their bodies more fatigued. But it wasn’t just physical challenges they had to overcome. The long hours on the road tested their mental endurance as well. There were moments of doubt, where the enormity of the journey ahead seemed insurmountable.
In the desolate Highlands, the bikes started to fall apart and were literally held together with string. It was only down to their quick thinking and a little piece of plastic from their tent’s guy rope which kept the back bearing from shearing off and the wheel becoming more buckled.
“Where’s the fun in knowing you’re going to make it?” Chris shouted out across the windy tundra.
However, it was during these difficult times that their brotherly bond truly shone. They encouraged each other, shared stories, and found humour in the most unlikely situations. Each day brought new experiences — encounters with the friendly locals and fellow cyclists, breathtaking vistas, and the simple joy of cycling through some of the UK’s most stunning landscapes.
After a month on the road, the brothers finally reached the Scottish coast of Thurso, where they boarded ferries to Orkney and the Shetland Islands. From there, it was a final push across the rugged terrain and busy roads to reach Unst. The island welcomed them with its stark beauty — windswept cliffs teeming with sea birds, rolling bare hills, and a sense of isolation that made the long journey feel all the more rewarding.
Arriving on Unst in glorious sunshine, the dark and menacing clouds soon rolled in as the tail end of Hurricane Ernesto made its presence known. Strong winds pushed the brothers up the steep hills until heavy rain brought them from the top of Unst to the small community of Balasound. Hunkered down in a bus shelter, their journey had come to an end.
But their trusty bikes’ new lives on the Shetland Islands had only just begun. A kind local offered to take the mountain bikes and arranged for them to be upcycled by what is surely the most northerly charity shop in Britain. For the brothers, it was a huge pleasure in knowing they could give something back to the local community.
The brothers were overwhelmed with a sense of accomplishment. What had started as a spontaneous idea in a dusty shed had culminated in a journey that they would remember for the rest of their lives. The old bikes, once forgotten relics, had carried them through thick and thin, proving that with a bit of determination, even the most unlikely of tools can achieve greatness.
It was also a journey beyond the destination. For the Raven Brothers, the journey was about much more than reaching Unst. It was a chance to reconnect with each other and with the simplicity of life that cycling brings. They learned to appreciate the small things — the warmth of the sun after a rainstorm, the kindness of strangers, and the beauty of nature and the world around them.
In a world where everything is becoming faster and more efficient, the brothers’ 2,000km journey serves as a reminder of the value of taking the slow road. It’s a story of grit, resilience, and the power of human connection, showing that sometimes, the most fulfilling adventures are the ones that take us back to our roots, both in terms of family and the simple joys of life.
As they now reflect on their cycle journey, they are not just proud of having reached Unst; they are proud of having done it together, on two old bikes that, like their bond, have stood the test of time.
The Raven Brothers’ new travel book will be published by Samosir Books in November 2026.
