Words and Wheels

Travel writing about motorcycle adventures in Europe.

By Stephen Oliver

· Launched 3 years ago

A Tale of Two Bikes

From the Pyrenees to the Far Edges of Europe in search of adventure

Jun 21 • Stephen Oliver

End of Year Reflection: Adventures, Anniversaries, and Ahead to 2026

From Knee Surgery to Cabo da Roca

Dec 28, 2025 • Stephen Oliver

Why We Write: The Climbs, Cuts, and Philosophy of Gordon Stainforth

The seventh in a series of ‘Why We Write’ conversations with extraordinary writers on my writing course at Arvon.

Dec 21, 2025 • Stephen Oliver

Most Popular

Wanderlust Returns
Nov 17, 2024 • Stephen Oliver

New Knee

New Knee
Nov 20, 2024 • Stephen Oliver

Tromsø to Alta

Tromsø to Alta
Oct 22, 2023 • Stephen Oliver

Writing ‘North to Norway’

Writing ‘North to Norway’
Mar 2, 2025 • Stephen Oliver

Trollstigen to Bud

Trollstigen to Bud
Aug 20, 2023 • Stephen Oliver

The adventures continue into 2024

The adventures continue into 2024
Dec 17, 2023 • Stephen Oliver

Latest Discussions

Why We Write: The Russian Tank Commander of the City

I sat down with Sarah Danes, one of the first women on the London Stock Exchange floor, to ask why stories just demand to be told

Dec 14, 2025 • Stephen Oliver

The Red Thread: A Conversation with Tom Parfitt on 'Why We Write'

On his Arvon debut, Tom Parfitt brought a wealth of knowledge and creative expertise to fledgling writers grappling with their ideas deep in the…

Dec 7, 2025 • Stephen Oliver

Why We Write: The 55,000-Word Finish Line

Triathlon pioneer Margaret Sills has competed in over a hundred races. Now at Arvon, she faces her next endurance event: turning a 55,000-word “brain…

Nov 30, 2025 • Stephen Oliver

Why We Write: How Bob the Builder Inspired a Motorcycle Adventurer

Our Arvon tutor, Lois Pryce, is an acclaimed author, broadcaster, and—like me—a dedicated motorcycle rider. I asked her about her accidental journey to…

Nov 23, 2025 • Stephen Oliver

“Be a Bit Bolder”: A Conversation with Walt Rothon on Travel, Imposter Syndrome, and the Shy Kid He Used to Be

The second in a series of ‘Why We Write’ conversations with extraordinary writers on my Arvon writing course.

Nov 16, 2025 • Stephen Oliver

“My Words Had Been Spent”: Xani Byrne on the 3,500-Mile Ride That Turned Unspeakable Grief into a National Conversation

I discuss with the founder of “Tandem Against Suicide” his personal experience of raw grief, the “James Bond” bike, and the 75 strangers who helped him…

Nov 6, 2025 • Stephen Oliver

Writer's Retreat

Pencils sharpened, I'm heading to the Shropshire Hills to do lots of writing classes

Nov 2, 2025 • Stephen Oliver