Whilst on holiday in West Bay, Dorset I came across this chap.
Bruno Maffei
This is a short video that shows this unusual old man that has cycled around the UK for many years. He is French and his English is not that good, he also seems to talk nonsense at times.
I first saw him on the 26th May coming out of Weymouth towards Bridport, I passed him half way up a very steep hill. He was struggling to push his bike and trailer up it. I stopped further up the hill and walked back down to offer assistance. Another young chap on a moped also stopped and between myself and Will we pushed the bike to the top, I can tell you it took the two of us.
From there it was generally flat, or downhill to Bridport, maybe a short incline section but nowhere near what he had just experienced. His plan was to sleep in the church.
Anyway, today the 27th May, I felt that I needed to go out and buy Bruno breakfast. I looked in St Mary’s Church and could not see him so I went on my own cycle ride. 2 hrs later as I headed back, he passed me on the opposite side of the road, I turned around, caught up with him and took him to the cafe at Morrison’s to buy him breakfast, he had a large full English and a Cappuccino with about 6 sugar sachet’s.
Whilst in there we bumped into a couple, Andy and Delphine whom were travelling from Portsmouth to Bude in their camper van. Delphine was French and spent time speaking to Bruno in his native language, although she did say that he did not make sense at times.
He seems to have no passport or travel documents, but wishes somehow to get a boat to America. Not sure that will happen and I think he will even struggle to get back into France! If he so wished without paperwork.
I then offered to buy him a meal deal for later and he had two of them! Why not.
He wanted me to take a video of him and upload it to YouTube in the same way that others have done. I have obliged and I am sharing what I know of his storey in the same way that others have. If you come accross Bruno on your travels please help him out. His next destination is the direction of Cornwall. With no map, no phone, probably no money, sleeping where he can, only speaking broken English, a very heavy bike set up, let’s hope he makes it. He is a very resilient man.
Search for him in google and look him up on YouTube, others have posted video’s.
Good luck Bruno on your travels.
Thanks you to Will for helping push yesterday and Andy and Delphine for your time today.
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3 Comments
He's a character, glad to see he's still doing good.
I met Bruno yesterday morning in Whitchurch Canonicorum, where he had slept the night in the church porch. We had a chat using his basic English and my basic French!
Yes, 22.5.25 , on my way back from work near Wool-( near Lulworth Cove ) , noted a very weary cyclist, Mr Bruno Maffei , apparently he's 75 , I stopped to offer him a drink and some food . He talked passionately in French, in between my basic French and calling my friend who is a translator to fill in the gaps , I got the vague idea that he has no plan but ambition, as mentioned, to get to America. He clearly has faith in the good will and kindness of people. I sent him on his way with a bag of food and fuelled him up with a large bowl of pasta. He must be someone's dad, grandad, uncle etc. I was concerned for his wellbeing, but he seemingly had a routine of survival and his bike was certainly prepared for the long haul of touring.