Journey's end for Shanghai rider

Mr Genochio described the Gobi desert as the hardest test

A Devon adventurer has completed his epic bike ride from Exeter to China.

Ed Genochio, 27, arrived in Shanghai after completing the 12,000 mile (19,312km) journey eight months after leaving his home in Devon.

Despite encountering giant Siberian horseflies, muggers on motorcycles and Mongolian thieves on horseback, he is considering cycling all the way home.

His route took him across 17 countries and included crossing Siberia and the Gobi desert.

I have been looking at a map, thinking of possible routes and a way home, but I'm going to take my feet off the pedals for a little while Ed Genochio

Mr Genochio, who decided to make the journey after seeing much of it on a train, said he is thrilled to have made it to the end.

"Arriving here in Shanghai is a wonderful feeling," he said.

"Standing on the waterfront with my bike, the past eight months of hard riding felt a bit unreal."

Mr Genochio plans to remain in China for the winter to write a book about his journey, but he admits he is contemplating the journey back to Exeter.

"I rule nothing out at this stage," he said.

"I have been looking at a map, thinking of possible routes and a way home, but I'm going to take my feet off the pedals for a little while."

'Over the handlebars'

When Mr Genochio reached the Mongolian capital of Ulan Bator in August, disaster struck when his bike and tent were stolen by a thief on horseback.

At the time he was sleeping in his tent which he had attached to his bike.

An appeal resulted in several offers to replace the items in order to allow the journey to continue.

The next stage of the adventure - crossing the Gobi desert - tested Mr Genochio's endurance again.

He said: "In the Gobi there are basically no roads. Sometimes there are tracks to follow but mostly it's a combination of rock and sand that is virtually un-rideable.

"I spent a long time pushing the bike, and went flying over the handlebars on several occasions. At least the sand was a reasonably soft landing."

During the desert crossing, the rack carrying all his water broke which meant Mr Genochio had to return to Ulan Bator to get a new rack before continuing to his final destination of Shanghai.