At a mid-life low point, Claire Davies set off, virtually on an impulse, to cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats, alone and unsupported. What followed was not only a great physical challenge but also a deeply personal voyage of self-discovery, resilience and empowerment.

Her book, Braver Than You Think, Cycling to Self-Discovery, From Land’s End to John O’Groats, is ‘an uplifting, inspirational read that urges would-be adventurers to cast aside their self-doubts and just do it’ (Rebecca Lowe, author of Slow Road to Tehran).

Claire will speak about her book and the experience that inspired it. Her message isn’t just about cycling. It’s about the value of a simple, defined mission, the healing power of Nature, and the kindness of strangers. Most of all, it’s about how empowering it can be to take on a new challenge, large or small.

Author bio

Claire Davies is a former speechwriter and diplomat. After a 30 year career that took her to London, Singapore, Madrid and Cairo, she now lives in Hampshire. Since leaving the Foreign Office in 2022, she has returned to her first love, writing, and devoted more time to her new-found passion, cycling. She often combines the two, blogging about her cycle tours on ClaireDaviesWriter.co.uk. She’s currently on a personal mission to pedal through every European country from end to end. Since 2023, she has cycled the length of France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Luxembourg, Ireland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, mostly on her own. Braver Than You Think tells the story of the ride that started it all.