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25
Aug 2024
Where’s Harry? We catch up with the Harrogate tour guide's adventure to Africa
Harry Satloka is a familiar face and something of a local celebrity around Harrogate.
He is the friendly face of the Harrogate Free Walking Tours, but he has been missing lately since heading on his own international tour.
Harry set off on an adventure to Cairo, the Egyptian capital, and is now well on his way to the pyramids.
He left Harrogate on July 1, with a bike named Rudolph loaded with “choccy biccies”, and is expected back just before Christmas.
He plans to cycle almost 5,000 miles to raise money and awareness for the Harrogate charity Artizan International.
The charity supports differently-abled people in the UK and Latin America. It runs the Artizan café and creative space in Harrogate
So far he has raised over £1,300 for Artizan International.
After six years of hosting the tours, Harry wanted an adventure of his own and decided to combine his sabbatical with fundraising.
The Stray Ferret caught up with him to see how he's getting on.
Harry Satloka with his bike, Rudolph, loaded up outside Harrogate's Artizan
Where’s Harry now?
The Stray Ferret first caught up with Harry to see how his epic journey was going one month into his challenge.
At the time he had just left Germany and was headed for the Alps.
Now, two months into his trip Harry has covered nine countries and is in Italy.
He said:
The Alps were challenging, but I managed to get across with just one pedal after the other. I climbed 2,315 metres in total. It was a tough climb, but the way down was beautiful.
Following the strenuous journey over the Alps Harry took a week off to spend time with his partner, Rebecca, who flew out to meet him.
He spent the week relaxing and making some minor repairs to Rudolph. He set off again on August 22 and headed to Verona when The Stray Ferret spoke to him.
He said:
I’m sat by a beautiful river right now, and it is 35 degrees. I will be in Verona tonight and in Slovenia by next week.
I have been camping in some incredible spots and climbed the Alps with a couple of German cyclists. I was washing in the Rhine, and [the bathing] got quicker the further I climbed, the water got so cold.
He says that being “a shrewd Yorkshireman at heart” prepared him well for the cold and budgeting.
Harry has a total of £20 a day to spend on food and accommodation, meaning he can often be found wild camping.
He said:
When I find somewhere to camp, I just throw up my hammock. I’ve got into a good routine after six weeks. Setting up camp used to take me about an hour and now it takes me around 15 minutes.
He said aside from Yorkshire, Switzerland has been his favourite place to pass through.
It was just spectacular and had such dramatic views, I was also met with such kindness. That is the best part of the trip. Meeting people and learning more about the world.
I am enjoying it more now than ever, I am aching a little bit, but I know I am still in the easy bit.
He predicts the journey will become more arduous when he leaves Europe. He will follow the Danube River to the Black Sea.
He said:
I don’t know what to expect but I don’t think they will have cycle paths. I will wait and see, I am excited though and hopefully Rudolph survives.
He said after his adventure he plans to return to his walking tours and can’t wait to have a slice of vegan carrot cake from Artizan and a pint of Pilsner from Cold Bath Brewing Company.
He said:
I am overwhelmed and it is quite mad we have reached over £1,000. I want to give a huge thanks to everyone. Every donation counts, Artizan would be eternally grateful.
The Stray Ferret plans to catch up with him again soon. For now, follow his journey and donate to his cause by clicking here.
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