Pembrokeshire cyclist completes mammoth 800-mile trip from Belgium to Wales

Lauren Walker, who was born in Haverfordwest, undertook the challenge of cycling from Antwerp to Solva.

She started her trip on August 18 and arrived on September 3, passing through Brussels, Cardiff and Tenby along the way.

Lauren began her journey alongside her father and partner. (Image: Lauren Walker) Lauren said: “I’m proud but it doesn’t feel like an achievement because it was a lot of fun being outdoors on my bike. I like the change of scenery, and I like doing physical activity.

“I wanted to make my trip from Belgium to Wales nicer. I usually drive but it was a good opportunity to try and cycle instead.

“The best part of the journey was being outdoors every day. But I also enjoyed making connections. When I arrived in Tenby, I met a girl in a café, and we started chatting.

“The hardest part was going up all the hills. The north of France, England and Wales are not flat like Belgium. There was a lot of headwinds too. There were times when I wouldn’t even need to break when going down a hill.”

After a couple of kilometres, Lauren said goodbye to her dad before she embarked on the rest of her journey. (Image: Lauren Walker)

Lauren’s partner Jaro, joined her to Dranouter. (Image: Lauren Walker)

The couple spent the night in a tent near a farm. (Image: Lauren Walker) Lauren, who grew up in Belgium, first cycled to Wassmunster where she was joined by her father for a couple of kilometres and her partner Jaro.

Jaro and Lauren spent the night at a place in the woods and recovered with some homemade pizza.

The next day the couple cycled through Gent to Dranouter where they set up a tent near a farm, with a swimming pond, sauna, local wines and farm animals.

On day three, Jaro headed back to Antwerp and Lauren continued her journey to Auchy-au-bois in France, cycling through nonstop rain before finding shelter in a local McDonalds.

Lauren spent three days travelling with her friend Coppens to Pont du Normandy. (Image: Lauren Walker)

In Ouistreham, Lauren spent 36 hours with her mum. (Image: Lauren Walker) Lauren, 29, spent the next three days travelling with friend Coppens who accompanied her to Pont du Normandy.

She then reached Ouistreham and received a welcome from her mother along with a hot shower at Villa Andry after powering through more rain.

Lauren enjoyed a roast dinner and cocktails while visiting her friends Matt and Pete in Portsmouth. (Image: Lauren Walker)

Another of Lauren’s friends, David, cycled with her in Bristol. (Image: Lauren Walker) On day nine, Lauren boarded the ferry to Portsmouth – she arrived at 6am and visited her friends Matt and Pete where she was treated to a roast dinner and cocktails.

A few days later Lauren reached Bristol where she cycled alongside friend David to Severn Bridge after going for breakfast at Pullin’s Bakery.Lauren met up with her aunty and uncle in Rhossili, Wales. (Image: Lauren Walker) On day 13, Lauren made it to Wales where she encountered steep hills prior to spending the night at a camping spot in the wild.

The day after she travelled through Swansea, enjoying lunch with her aunty and uncle near the coast.

On day 17, Lauren reached Saundersfoot. (Image: Lauren Walker) By day 17, Lauren approached Saundersfoot – she battled hunger and further rain after receiving a free coffee and boiled egg in Llanelli.

Lauren arrived in Solva on Tuesday evening where she finished her adventure by spending time with family.

To see the full details of Lauren’s journey, check out her travelling page on Polarsteps.