Chasing Adam: A Journey of Dreams, Resilience, and the Open Road

"People are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of." – Paulo Coelho

Hi, I’m Adam, and right now, I’m cycling solo around the perimeter of Africa. It’s just me, my bike, and the endless open road. I’m 22 years old, born and raised at the southernmost tip of Africa, in one of the world’s most stunning cities—Cape Town. If you’ve ever been to the Cape, you’ll know why so many fall in love with it. The rugged, mountainous coastline, where the fierce Atlantic meets ancient peaks, feels like the edge of the world. Storms batter the peninsula in winter, but when summer comes, one can get lost in Table Mountain’s breathtaking green flora or dive into oceans teeming with life. Wrapped in the arms of Table Mountain, the vibrant city pulses with energy—Cape Town is a place where urban life and wild nature exist side by side, reminding you of your insignificance in the vastness of the world, yet also your place in its intricate balance.

I grew up in a small suburb called Observatory, just outside the hustle of the CBD. Obs is a quirky, bohemian place with a vibrant nightlife and thrift stores where time feels like it’s paused. I was an only child, living with my amazing parents until I set off on this adventure three months ago.

The wheels may have started turning recently, but this adventure has been in motion for eight years, ever since a pivotal moment shifted my perspective on life.

When Everything Changed

I was 14, in my second week of high school, and all I cared about was sport. I was the kid who downhill skated, surfed, rock climbed, ran, and cycled—movement was everything to me. Then, at cricket trials, I bowled a ball and suddenly lost all feeling in my legs. Just like that. I thought it would pass, but after a month of consulting doctors and physios, I learned I had two stress fractures in my lumbar spine (L4 and L5). My body was cast, and a back brace was made.

That year was rough. No sport, no movement. I needed something to keep me sane, and that’s when I picked up the guitar. Music became my escape. Every chord, every note helped me process the emotions I couldn’t express any other way. It reminded me of the flow states I used to find in sports—flying down a hill on a skateboard, catching a wave, or pushing my body past its limits.

 "It reminded me of the flow states

I used to find in sports"

From Setback to Strength

After a year of rest, I started the long road to recovery. It was slow and painful, but it sparked something new in me—an obsession with endurance sport. From being unable to run 1km, I worked my way back up, competing in high school and placing in the top 10 in almost every race, and eventually running half-marathons every week. In 2021, I ran the 21.1km UTCT, placing 11th in my age group and 13th overall out of more than 400 runners. That race showed me just how far I could push myself.

I realised that adversity truly introduces a person to themself. My body had been tested, but I was still here, stronger than ever. Yet, the only thing that could ever truly hold me back was my own mind.

The Fear of Not Living Fully

While I pushed my physical limits, I began to wrestle with a different kind of fear—the fear of not living. I didn’t just want to push my body; I wanted to live a life that mattered. This feeling intensified when, during my second year studying Interior Design, a friend took his own life. It wasn’t the first time suicide had touched my life, and it triggered a deep reflection. What makes life worth living? What does happiness really mean? What legacy do I want to leave behind?

That year, I went on a cycling trip with two of my best friends, heading from Cape Town to Nature’s Valley. For the last four days of the journey, I rode solo while my friends hitched rides. As I climbed Garcia Pass, overlooking the barren Klein Karoo, something clicked. In that quiet, empty space, I felt as though the universe was speaking to me, laying out the path I was meant to follow.

I began to explore this moment and flesh it out over the next couple of months. While I should’ve been studying, I was actually busy planning this expedition. It was the best decision of my life. Sorry, Mum and Dad, ahaha.

31 June 2023: The Moment Everything Became Clear

One day, on my way to campus, I stopped at a traffic light. To my left, I saw a man lying motionless at a bus stop. Life was moving around him as though he wasn’t there. Maybe he was on his way home. Maybe he was on his way to work. Either way, his time on this earth had ended. I stared blankly at the scene, lost in thought, until the blaring sound of a car horn snapped me back to reality.

That moment hit me hard. I walked into class, took out my journal, and began writing. Everything else around me faded into white noise. It was then that I decided to drop everything, and Chasing Adam was born.

Chasing My Own Treasure

Just over a year later, here I am—on the open road, exploring Africa’s vast landscapes, chasing my own treasure. The journey isn’t just about cycling; it’s about discovering my purpose, following my heart, and living fully. We all have a treasure we’re searching for, and the only way to find it is to listen to that small voice inside that tells us where to go.

My hope for Chasing Adam is that it becomes more than just my personal story. I want it to inspire others to get out there, push themselves, and pursue their own dreams—no matter how big or small. Life is short, and the only limits are the ones we place on ourselves.

So, here’s to chasing dreams, exploring the unknown, and living fully. Get out there, and get moving!

Love,

Adam Jacobs