Lucy with friends on her travels in China

Lucy Valantine is no average traveller and adventurer. She’s clocked up thousands of miles on her motorbike journey around the world and is now an entrepreneur in her own rights. Originally from the UK, the 45-year-old daredevil ditched her corporate life in London to set off on a voyage of self-discovery. During her travels, she volunteered at an orphanage in Zambia, biked across Australia and New Zealand, taught English in China and journeyed on the Trans-Siberian railway across Mongolia and Siberia. Now settled in Granada, Spain, she is the proud owner of a travel business, Go Granada!

Have you always wanted to set up a travel business?

I’ve never been one of those people who had a clear idea of what they wanted to do in life. It wasn’t until I went travelling around the world that the seed was sown. Having made such a monumental break with everything traditional and having had such wonderful experiences on my travels, I felt my personal journey had taken me too far to go back to the same old life in London. I knew I wanted to live in another culture and out of all the places I had visited, Spain kept its place at the top of my list. I took a long, objective look at my skill set and quickly came to the conclusion that something in the travel industry would be right up my street. With my new sense of self-confidence, I decided to become self employed and set up Go Granada!

What made you decide to ditch your successful career and travel around the world?

In 2003, when I was 38, my mother was unfortunately diagnosed with incurable ovarian cancer. I’d already been having doubts about my marriage and I suddenly found myself thinking, what would I do if someone said to me, “Lucy, you have six months to live”?  How happy was I in the relationship?  Over the year that followed, many conversations ensued as we tried to address our issues, but it became plain to me that we were just not going to fit together.  The more I watched what was happening to my mother, the more convinced I was that I had to do something about my own situation.

I remember sitting in my flat in London thinking about mother, my life, that in a year’s time I would be 40 and really, what had I done?  What had I achieved?  I had an overwhelming feeling that I wanted to put something back into the world, to make a difference to other people’s lives.  I loved my job in London as a Management Development Trainer and it had taught me a lot about who I was and what made me tick.  But, more importantly, I was beginning to understand how much we limit ourselves in what we think we can or can’t do.  I realised I could do the unthinkable and leave my safe existence, my great job, my family and my friends and take a year out to travel round the world on a year of adventure.

Have you always had a passion for motorbikes?

Ever since I can remember, I’ve always wanted a motorbike and could often be found with my nose stuck in our old Encyclopaedia Britannica studying the finer points of 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines. At 16 I started working part-time until I had saved enough for my first motorbike. It was a shiny red, Italian number with alloy wheels and a 125cc engine! Since then, I’ve had a Harley Davidson with a 1200cc engine and now I´m just about to collect a Triumph Thruxton Café Racer!

How did you get to where you are today and would you do anything differently?

To get where I am today has taken a huge leap of faith on my part in believing in myself and my abilities. It really has been the most amazing and intense journey. I’ve taken the trouble to read books by authors such as Tony Robbins and I’ve looked deep into my soul, questioned my beliefs and fundamentally changed the way I view the world. I’ve pushed myself to my emotional limits and I’ve made myself do things that I have been scared of.

If I could re-wind the clock back to the moment when I decided to take the year out to travel, I would take much longer to do everything! Of course, hindsight is the most marvellous thing and I’m certainly not the person I was at the beginning of the adventure, sitting in Heathrow airport with an overly large backpack, absolutely terrified of what I was about to do. I would set off to go round the world by motorbike, visiting far more countries and taking at least three years to do it! I didn’t give myself anywhere near enough time to explore and that’s what I would definitely do differently.

Lucy with her magnificent motorbike

Who helped you along the way?

I have been extremely humbled and very, very grateful for the help, support, inspiration and love that I have received from so many people, since I started what I call “Phase Two” of my life. There are people who have helped me with money, people who have helped with advice and people who didn´t even realise they helped me. When you make the decision to swim upstream and go against the norm, help comes from the most unlikely of sources and often when you are least expecting it.

Who inspires you?

Richard Branson inspires me because he comes across as a nice, ordinary bloke who kept his feet on the ground and yet built up a hugely successful business. My friend Amanda inspires me because she bought up five boys virtually single handedly and they’ve all turned out to be a credit to her. My sisters inspire me with their understanding and insight. I take great inspiration from all the women over the centuries who had the courage to step away from their world and what was expected of them and stand true to what they believed in.

One piece of advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?

Listen to everyone’s advice, weigh it up and then forge your own path. It’s good to have an open mind and it’s always good to hear other opinions, however, it can have the effect of muddying the waters. Keep your own goals clearly in mind; keep the faith in what you believe will work and then single-mindedly go for it. You will be amazed at how much help you receive along the way and how generous people are.

How did you go about setting up the business?

Naively; I should have done more research into the rules and regulations of the travel industry, but got a bit waylaid with the creative side of setting up the business, such as writing the website and coming up with ideas for the different experiences. My mantra has always been “keep it simple” and I’ve preferred to start off small and build slowly, learning as I go along.

What do you think is the biggest problem in British society today and what is the most positive thing?

I think the biggest problem with British society today is a general loss of respect and discipline in schools coupled with a culture of political correctness overtaking common sense. I think we will be reaping the outcome of this failure for a few years to come. I also mourn the slow decline in good manners. The most positive thing that we have in our British society is our stubbornness, our individuality, our eccentricity and a quiet pride in who we are.

Do you feel British or European?

Before my travels, I would have said that I felt British. After my travels I feel much more European, but with a enormously strong sense of Englishness. Travelling and experiencing other cultures has given me a fresh perspective on my own culture and I possibly look on it with a touch of the rose tinted spectacles! I’m very proud to be British and English and I think we sometimes lose sight of the good things that we have here. I’m constantly amazed by the diversity of European culture and feel that considering that Europe is so small, we have an amazing amount of history and culture that perhaps we don’t always appreciate.

Who are you listening to at the moment?

The Baseballs, a group of three young guys from Germany. It’s a bit rock and roll light, but very catchy. I love the way they’ve taken popular songs and given them a rockabilly twist.

Wow! Lucy takes to the skies in Uganda

What couldn’t you live without?

Bright red lipstick, a motorbike, anything leopard print, a roast chicken dinner and a glass of malt whisky.

Dream purchase?

A large warehouse which on opening the door would have a 1950s style diner, an unlimited supply of petrol and be filled with all the motorbikes and Hot Rod cars on my wish list!

Favourite movie?

I can’t decide between The Sound of Music starring Julie Andrews and Grease with Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta!

Favourite European city and why?

I love Granada in southern Spain, as it’s still like a work-in-progress medieval city. There are beautiful, historic buildings butting up against crumbling and decaying houses, narrow cobbled alleyways interspersed with tree-lined boulevards and fountains that tinkle in shaded corners. There is a slightly bohemian air hanging over the city which contrasts with the many convents and nuns hurrying to and fro. There is a general feeling of “work to live” and that life is to be taken at a more leisurely pace and enjoyed, over a glass of wine, with your friends. Against the eclectic mix of Muslim, Jewish and Christian architecture hangs the backdrop of the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains. In spring when the sky is cerulean blue and the snow sparkles crystal white, it’s almost too beautiful to believe.

How do you stay motivated?

I break things down into manageable chunks and always reward myself for my achievements, no matter how large or small. It could be taking five minutes out to relax with a magazine or publicising good news on my blog. I don’t beat myself up if I haven’t achieved what I should have done, tomorrow is another day. I also have some very good and patient friends who I know I can phone for some plain speaking advice and a shove in the right direction!

Desert island book?

The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien. I’ve read this book three times now and it still fascinates and inspires me with its tale of courage, love and friendship surviving against the odds. I really want to be an Elf.

Favourite bar?

El Boliche in Granada. It’s a bit like the American comedy, Cheers, where everybody knows your name. In the summer you can sit out on the terrace with great views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and in the winter, you can cosy up to the roaring log fire.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Dividing my time between Granada and the UK; working on projects in my travel business; writing articles; speaking to women’s groups; finishing my book; presenting a TV show about motorbikes, travel, the retro scene and rock and roll!

Can you run in heels?

No, but I can do a jolly good sprint in my biker boots!

Part of Lucy Valantine's journey of self-discovery around the world: on safari in Africa!