We Are Family: One Guest Sums Up The Ride And Seek Experience
Introduction
Megan Hassett recently joined us for her third Ride and Seek tour, Marco Polo(opens in new tab) – a 1,200-mile Epic journey from Lake Bled in Slovenia to Athens, Greece. A month after returning home, she’s still buzzing with the joy of cycle touring.
We asked Megan to put a few words together about her experience, and what she’s shared captures the spirit of a Ride and Seek tour beautifully. Her passion, personality and infectious enthusiasm shine through, so rather than keep her words to ourselves, we thought they deserved a page of their own.
In her own words, here’s Megan’s take on finding her tribe, discovering the world by bike, and why she’s already dreaming about her next adventure.
A shared connection
When I think about Ride and Seek, the first thing that immediately springs to mind is the song We Are Family. Because that’s exactly what it feels like. I’ve found my tribe — people from all walks of life and every corner of the globe, connected by one big thing in common: a love of embracing the world on two wheels.
The joy of the ride
First and foremost, the riding. I love the distances we cover each day. None of this pissy little pedal around the block business. We’re talking REAL miles and kilometres, epic climbs and big days in the saddle.
The kind of riding where even a 30-quid Norwegian beer doesn’t hurt the wallet quite so much because your muscles are feeling the pinch instead!
There’s an absolute satisfaction in knowing you’ve travelled far and wide, earned every view and experienced a place in a way that simply wouldn’t be possible from a tour bus. That’s the magic of a Ride and Seek Epic adventure.
Marco Polo 2026 Group photo
No logistics to worry about
And the guides? Absolutely next level. My biggest concern for the day is whether my jersey and socks are a fashion triumph, while the team is calmly and collectively orchestrating what feels like a military operation — only with considerably more Lycra and a lot more fun. Everything just seems to fall into place. It’s incredibly liberating to hand over the logistics and simply enjoy the ride, quite literally in every sense of the word.
A taste of adventure
I’m not exactly a self-confessed foodie. A cheese and Vegemite sandwich would generally see me through just fine. Yet somehow, my culinary taste buds embark on their own grand adventure with the incredible local food on offer, day after day and night after night. And then, once the trip is over, I’m back home thinking, “Hang on a minute, where’s the truffle for my cheese and Vegemite sandwich?”
A little luxury after a big day
Then there’s the accommodation. Luxury and adventure rolled into one extraordinary day. There’s something rather wonderful about arriving sweaty, dusty and utterly spent after a huge day on the bike, only to find yourself checking into somewhere spectacular.
I have to admit, there’s always a moment when I wonder what the reception desk staff make of our bedraggled little cycling tribe rolling through their glamorous lobby. But that contrast is part of the fun — and slipping into a beautiful room after a massive day in the saddle feels like the ultimate reward.
Inspired by Megan's epic journey?
Ride the same route along the historic paths of discovery from Venice to Istanbul: Ride this route: Marco Polo – Venice to Istanbul(opens in new tab).
Living life to the full
But Ride and Seek is about so much more than cycling. It’s the people. The camaraderie, the conversations, the shared suffering on a climb, the ridiculous laughter and the friendships that form along the way. I genuinely think I laugh more during one Epic trip than I do in an entire calendar year. It’s as though we put our ordinary lives on pause, hit the adrenaline button and give ourselves permission to live a little more boldly.
I’ve now completed three Epic trips: Three Islands, Norway and, most recently, Marco Polo. All three have been absolutely magical in their own unique ways. My friends and family back home practically need a drool bib to deal with my social media posts! But they also know just how much genuine joy these adventures bring me. And that joy is impossible to fake.
The Ride and Seek formula
Honestly, there aren’t that many cycling companies that get the formula right. The big distances, the outstanding guides, the fabulous food, the gorgeous accommodation and those wonderfully off-the-beaten-track places that you’d be unlikely to discover on your own. Ride and Seek somehow manages to bring all these ingredients together without losing the spirit of adventure that makes the whole experience so special.
Three trips in, and I’m already dreaming about the next one.
Because Ride and Seek doesn’t just take you places. It gives you stories to tell, friendships to treasure, memories that make you grin long after you’ve unpacked your bike bag, and a reminder of just how much fun life can be when you’re surrounded by the right people.
The world is a pretty spectacular place from the saddle of a bike. And with Ride and Seek, you get to experience it with your tribe.
We are family. And what a wonderful family it it!
Are you feeling inspired to try a Ride and Seek Epic?
Each year we run 10 or more Epic adventures across carefully chosen landscapes in Europe, South America, Australia and East Asia. Our tours are fully guided, meaning we handle all the logistics so you can focus on the best part: the culture, scenery and enjoying the ride. If Megan’s words have inspired you to join us on an Epic adventure, please browse our full tour schedule(opens in new tab).