Around the world in 80 jobs: Intrepid London Underground worker is travelling 46,000 miles across the globe for charity

  • After running 15 marathons worldwide in 2015 he's off on a new adventure
  • Along the way he will work 80 jobs to immerse himself in each local culture
  • His father's death and a life-changing Caribbean trip inspired him to do this

A London Underground worker has quit his job to explore the big, wide world by bike. 

The intrepid explorer from Stanmore, Middlesex, has set himself the challenge of cycling 46,000 miles over five years.

This is by no-means Adam Sultan's first adventure, but it will surely be his most ambitious to date. 

London underground tube worker-turned-adventurer Adam Sultan has set off on a 46,000 mile bike ride around the world

London underground tube worker-turned-adventurer Adam Sultan has set off on a 46,000 mile bike ride around the world

He will follow the 2014 Tour de France route before biking across the Himalayas, Andes, Alps and Rockies

He will follow the 2014 Tour de France route before biking across the Himalayas, Andes, Alps and Rockies

His journey, which started on June 28 at the London Olympic Velodrome, will take him along the 2014 Tour de France route before he blazes across four mountain ranges: the Himalayas, Andes, Alps and Rockies.

'The ride isn’t about getting round the world as quickly as possible or trying to set a new record, it’s about adventure, experiencing the world around me and trying to help others along the way.' revealed Sultan.

At least 16 days of his epic journey will push him to his cycling limits as he intends to spend them clocking at least 100 miles a day.

On June 28 the Middlesex boy set off from the Olympic Velodrome on a custom-made bicycle called the 'Adventure Simba'

On June 28 the Middlesex boy set off from the Olympic Velodrome on a custom-made bicycle called the 'Adventure Simba'

This isn't Sultan's first trip around the world, he completed a mammoth 15 marathons in 2015 for charity
Adam Sultan believes in embracing each day, which he certainly did when he raced 15 marathons in one year

This isn't Sultan's first trip around the world. He completed a mammoth 15 marathons in 2015 for charity

Though he shows his adventurous side through physical activity, Sultan is focused on connecting with different cultures around the world and supporting local charities

Though he shows his adventurous side through physical activity, Sultan is focused on connecting with different cultures around the world and supporting local charities

His unsupported journey may see him set off alone but he hopes to find company.

He said: 'I'll be alone in practice, but in reality I’m hoping to meet and ride with others along the way.'

Aside from the obvious physical experience, Sultan intends to engage with the places he's visiting. He will take part in a Citizen Science project, which will see him feed data and information on astronomy, light pollution and conservation to professional researchers. 

And, he will stop along the way to work 80 local jobs, mainly in a voluntary capacity, to get a grasp of the cultures he's visiting.

Sultan said of his upcoming trip: 'The ride isn’t about getting round the world as quickly as possible or trying to set a new record, it’s about adventure, experiencing the world around me and trying to help others along the way'

Sultan said of his upcoming trip: 'The ride isn’t about getting round the world as quickly as possible or trying to set a new record, it’s about adventure, experiencing the world around me and trying to help others along the way'

Rather than excessively train for his epic 46,000 mile cycle ride, he is relying on upping his physical fitness to match his endurance and stamina while on the adventure
He cycled from Paris to London to prepare himself

Rather than excessively train for his epic 46,000 mile cycle ride, Sultan is relying on upping his physical fitness while on the adventure

Though his training has been minimal for his five-year journey, he did complete a ride from Land’s End to John O’ Groats,  from the top of Scotland to the bottom edge of England

Though his training has been minimal for his five-year journey, he did complete a ride from Land’s End to John O’ Groats, from the top of Scotland to the bottom edge of England

Though he completed 15 marathons globally in 2015, this new lifestyle is very different from what he's used to. For a decade he worked on the capital's tube network, but it wasn't for him. 

He said: 'Since 16 I’ve worked for London Underground. It’s not been a bad job, but I’d never wanted to do it for ever. 

'After nearly a decade of working in the same role I was beginning to wonder whether this was really me. Then in 2014 two things happened which gave me that final push to make a change. My father sadly passed away from lung cancer and I signed up for an adventure called Exploring Mindset.'

Before embarking on this life-changing experience Sultan spent ten years, from the age of 16, working for the London Underground

Before embarking on this life-changing experience Sultan spent ten years, from the age of 16, working for the London Underground

On paper Exploring Mindset was a week of sailing in the Caribbean, but in reality it introduced him to new experiences, skills and cultures. 

He said: 'Throughout 2015 the "big one" started to come together in my mind and my dream of cycling round the world began to take shape. For me the ride was never going to be about trying to set a record or a world first. 

'I wanted to put into practice some of the philosophy I’d come to appreciate in the Caribbean - live every day of the trip to the fullest, take in the world around me and help the environment and people I meet.'

After Sultan's father died he went on a sailing trip around the Caribbean that inspired him to rethink what he wanted from life

After Sultan's father died he went on a sailing trip around the Caribbean that inspired him to rethink what he wanted from life

Sultan's expedition will raise money for conservationist fund SEED Madagascar, Macmillan Cancer Support, children's charity Right to Play, World Bicycle Relief, which provides remote communities with bikes, and Disasters Emergency Committee 

Sultan's expedition will raise money for conservationist fund SEED Madagascar, Macmillan Cancer Support, children's charity Right to Play, World Bicycle Relief, which provides remote communities with bikes, and Disasters Emergency Committee 

Sultan notes that the training took a backseat to the trip's planning because he reasoned his physical capabilities and endurance would increase as his exploration took flight. 

However, he did take on tough challenges like riding solo from Land’s End to John O’ Groats and Paris to London to prepare himself.

Using social media he hopes to stay in touch with friends, family and spread the message about his personal odyssey. Using these channels he'll share the stories of the people he meets along the way.

Sultan's expedition will raise money for conservation and humanitarian charity SEED Madagascar, Macmillan Cancer Support, children's charity Right to Play, World Bicycle Relief, which provides remote communities with bikes, and Disasters Emergency Committee.