Exploring London

It's international exploration time with two feet as we explore England! In the first part of this two-part series, I kick things off with a whirlwind visit to London, exploring Hyde Park, Regent's Park, and Camden Market in search of great music, vintage vinyl, and some proper curry chips. Along the way, I'm testing a new approach to beating jet lag, applying lessons from ultralight bike touring to international travel, and discovering the joys of exploring a new city with less planning and more winging it.

Quick housekeeping before we get going - we had so much fun in the last one it's time we did it again… a special Thanksgiving LIVE show Friday November 20 5pm PT, 8pm ET. It'll be the episode that drops on US Thanksgiving day so we'll definitely have some themage on that. Plus special returning guests… chat room… the works. Let's get ready for the holidays together!

London: Arrival and First Impressions

• Flying from Seattle to London and tackling an eight-hour time difference
• Testing the Timeshifter app to manage jet lag
• Heathrow Express to Paddington and the advantages of staying near the train station
• An evening walk through Hyde Park
• The curry chips side quest begins!

Exploring London on Foot

• A surprisingly excellent fish-and-chips experience
• Discovering Sherlock Holmes at Baker Street
• Walking through Regent's Park and Queen Mary's Rose Garden
• Heading to Camden Market on a busy bank holiday
• A self-guided Britpop walking tour through Camden

Music, Vinyl, and Camden Market

• Searching for rare '90s records
• The Stone Roses, The Beta Band, and the soundtrack to exploring London
• Crate digging and an unexpected score: eight vintage seven-inch singles for £20
• The joys of discovering music in the places that helped shape it

Ultralight Travel Beyond the Bike

• Applying bike touring and backpacking principles to international travel
• Navigating European airline carry-on size and weight restrictions
• A smaller roller bag, a versatile travel backpack, and merino wool clothing
• Packing light while leaving room for records and souvenirs
• Why flexibility matters when traveling between cities

Onward to Bristol

• Taking the Great Western Railway from Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads
• First impressions of Bristol's industrial architecture and creative character
• Why Bristol's trip-hop scene inspired this visit
• Massive Attack, Portishead, and the city's musical legacy
• Planning a Banksy street art walk and more record shopping
• An unexpected discovery: Brompton bike rentals!
• Two full days of Bristol exploration ahead

Coming in Part 2: More adventures in Bristol, exploring the city's music, street art, neighborhoods, and whatever unexpected discoveries come along the way.