Annabelle Golden has embarked on an adventure travelling from Norway to Cape Town on a bicycle.
Image: Instagram
“I’ve always really loved travel, it’s been a passion of mine.”
These are the words of backpack cyclist Annabelle Golden, known online as @grainonthego, who is currently undertaking an extraordinary cycling journey from Norway to Cape Town, South Africa.
Golden, an artist travelling alongside her boyfriend Alex, has captured widespread attention on social media by documenting her bikepacking adventure across Africa.
Her journey began in 2024 as part of a broader cycling trip around the world but a major milestone came in January 2025 when she crossed from Spain into Africa.
Since then, the couple has cycled through multiple countries, including Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
They are currently making their way through the Congo, steadily heading towards South Africa.
Golden’s introduction to bikepacking dates back to 2018 after completing her studies in Amsterdam.
Inspired by Alex, the pair embarked on their first cycling trip together - a two-week winter tour through Austria along parts of the EuroVelo 6 route.
“It was such a cool way to travel and it exposed me to different styles of travelling,” she shared, reflecting on the experience that sparked her passion for slow, immersive exploration.
The couple’s adventures have also taken them to East Africa, including Tanzania, Kenya and Zanzibar, where Golden even attempted to summit Mount Kilimanjaro - Africa’s highest peak.
Beyond travel, Golden has successfully blended her creative career with life on the road.
As an artist, she uses digital platforms to share her work while funding her journey.
A pivotal moment came in 2021 when she and Alex embraced van life during a trip to Iceland.
“That was the first time I was making money while travelling and realised it could sustain me,” she explained.
Working remotely from cafés, breweries and scenic viewpoints allowed her to build a flexible lifestyle centred around creativity and exploration.
Now cycling through the diverse landscapes of the Congo, Golden continues to share her journey on TikTok and Instagram, inspiring a growing audience of adventure seekers.
With Cape Town in her sights, her story is a testament to freedom, resilience and the power of redefining what modern travel can look like.