Explorer cycles 22,500 miles safely around the world in 430 days – then has the bike stolen from outside a pub in Hammersmith

A scout rode 22,500 miles safely around the world in 430 days only to have his bike stolen from outside a pub in Hammersmith.

Geordie Stewart, 34, had his bike stolen from outside the Anglesea Arms pub in Hammersmith, West London, on Tuesday.

The theft of Stewart’s bike, which he named Dorothy, was captured by a home security camera.

After a long flight, he continued his journey to America’s west coast, driving to the east coast before catching a flight to Portugal and driving back to London in 2019.

Geordie Stewart (pictured), 34, had his bike stolen from outside the Anglesea Arms pub in Hammersmith, West London on Tuesday.

The theft of Stewart’s bike, which he named Dorothy, was captured by a home security camera

Before it was stolen in London, there were many close calls for Dorothy along the way, with the bike almost being stolen at knifepoint in Italy and being taken into custody by the Chinese police.

Stewart tells The times: ‘I went for a drink with some friends I was in the army with and just catching up. . . I came out and the bike wasn’t there.’

Stewart’s desire to reclaim Dorothy – which he bought for several hundred pounds on eBay in 2018 – is due to sentimental value rather than monetary gain.

He added: ‘I’ve put the bike through every condition you can imagine, from minus 45C in Kazakhstan to 45C in California. It was almost stolen by a guy with a knife in Italy, it was taken by the Chinese police and confiscated for a while. I’ve been threatened by people in the middle of the outback in Australia.’

Stewart’s adventures began in London in 2018 and saw him ride through France, Central Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

After a long flight, he continued his journey to America’s west coast, driving to the east side before catching a flight to Portugal and driving back to London in 2019.

Stewart also went on to explain why he named his bike Dorothy.

He said: ‘I named her Dorothy because she’s a Dawes, a British cycling brand, so I felt she had to be British. And Dorothy is a character in The Wizard of Oz and I was trying to head to Australia, so I thought Dorothy was appropriate on a British trip (as she is).’

At the age of 22, Stewart became the youngest Briton to climb the highest mountain in every continent before joining the army for five years.

Stewart said he didn’t tell the police that Dorothy was stolen because he felt the police had bigger things to worry about.

However, he said he still hopes he can get the bike back, whether through a second-hand market or if a new owner recognizes it and returns it to him.