*I’m visiting Malta for the first time and today we’re climbing to the Top of the world!*
Welcome to Trails O’Life! In this biking vlog series. we do everything from relaxing gravel paths to muddy bridleways, this is all about enjoying the ride, the views, and having a good chat along the way. Join me every Wednesday and Saturday for a trip through lovely natural surroundings from the comfort of your house, all in lovely 4K 60fps goodness.
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➡️ *SUBSCRIBE HERE:* https://www.youtube.com/@TrailsoLife
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### // IN THIS EPISODE
I’ve got a morning to ride around Malta. Things don’t go to plan (do they ever?), but it’s still a beautiful adventure, exploring the island’s diverse landscapes. This relaxing ride takes us through city streets, countryside trails, and past historic landmarks, all captured in crisp 4k 60fps. Get ready to explore malta and enjoy a scenic ride whilst I moan away about life.
Thanks to Ardito at @losarditoschannel for being so wonderful and helping me on the ride.
### // TIMESTAMPS / CHAPTERS
0:00 – Sliema
8:11 – Coastline
17:35 – Rescued
22:15 – Top of the World
25:18 – Bridge
28:37 – Coast again
### // WATCH MORE FROM TRAILS O’LIFE
📺 *The Full “Trail Talks” Playlist:* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wmAO-P1eUM&list=PLV41u9BadgFsBtDr3Yias1sWBuS7FmAbd
🏞️ *My Favourite Ride So Far:* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0Ib67ceOPk
🗺️ 🗺️ *Cycling Across Every Bridge in London:*https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yT8vttTZWFY
### // MY GEAR & KIT
My Bike: Carrera Vengeance E (for now)
Main Camera: DJI Osmo Action 4
Drone: DJI Mini 4 Pro, DJI Flip & DJI Neo
Microphone: DJI Mic Mini
My Tracker: Fitbit Charge 6 & Strava
### // CONNECT
Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/147847208
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trailsolife
Patreon: https://patreon.com/TrailsoLife
### // ABOUT TRAILS O’LIFE
Trails O’Life is a UK-based cycling channel focused on chilled-out bike vlogs, scenic trail rides, and discovering the best routes (and pubs!) our countryside has to offer. Whether it’s mountain biking, gravel riding, or just a simple cycle along a canal, my Trail Talks series is all about escaping the daily grind and enjoying the journey.
Perfect for those who love cycling, nature, and exploring the UK (and sometimes beyond!)
#TrailsOLife #TrailTalks #eBike #Malta #CyclingVlog #vlog #mtb #bikingvlog
Right. Number 61 and I’m in Malta. I don’t know what I’m doing. Tell you what, this is the most powerful bike I’ve ever been on without a doubt. I’ve only just come up that road and I’m [ __ ] me pants. I don’t think they’ve got limiters here. Christ Yeah. Yeah. It’s proper powerful. It’s ridiculous. So, I’m on like second gear and it’s just going. That guy built himself and uh yeah, and I’m not complaining. Oh, so I’ve got scenes for days. It’s proper perfect weather. It’s like 24, I think it is at the minute. Breeze is perfect. It’s just lovely. So, I’m going to go to a place called Top of the World, which is uh quite high up, but is way over there. Look. Yeah, it’s I’m just going to try and get out of this bit as quick as I can cuz it’s uh very donkey. Want to go? Yeah. just to get away from fork. I didn’t like that busy street. Morning though, I think. So, yeah, I think I found when I did my beta episode, I was a bit overwhelmed with everything that were going on and I didn’t I I kind of struggled to talk about anything in particular. It were a bit uh it were a bit like blah. So, I’m going to try and get something a bit cool and and and casual and um hopefully go for a wee b somewhere. Oh, look at that. I’ll place them. They’re going left. Look at this. Hey, we’re in Malta and I got a clue what I’m doing. So, I’ve had a bit of a a bit of a strange experience so far. Anyway, so yeah, me and Jess are here for his 10 year anniversary and uh yeah, we kind of went all out with having a um went a bit like a luxurious place to stay and lots of things to do, jacuzzi and all this kind of stuff. And we got to a place that we booked and uh jacuzzi weren’t even turned on. So, I’ll say it cast his actual first night knackered. And then we we got to his hotel and it were what 6 uh at 7:00 p.m. or something. And we’re looking around and there’s just tractors and not tractors like JCBS and diggers and all sorts of stuff everywhere. Cranes. I’m thinking, “Oh, great. Great stuff.” And we thought maybe maybe we’ll get away with it. You never know. Anyway, 6:00 a.m. 6 a.m. the next morning, we had uh thumping like excavating into into floor. We’re absolutely minging like this huge doom doom from 6:00 a.m. and then as soon as it got to like quart maybe 20 6, but uh uh big pneumatic drills and oh it was just awful. Absolutely awful. So um tried to contact him basically saying we’re going to we’re going to shift on. We’re going to we’re going to move and we’re going to go to a different hotel. Um, we booked eight eight nights obviously and yeah, basically said that’s not happening indicates it. I just want to get out of busy city, get towards coast, and then we’re all right. It’s not as ridiculous as London would like, but it’s uh still a bit much for me. Yes, had a good time there meeting the uh meeting the dude that runs the bike rental place. He proper cool. Uh really chilled guy from um did he say Milan or Sicily? No, I think he’s from Milan. and he he’s just come back from Sicily this morning. They were absolutely knackered and yeah, really friendly dude. So, I’m glad I I’m glad I came there. I originally booked one a bit closer to where my hotel is, but um it’s Sunday today and it turns out it’s closed. So, yeah, didn’t have much ch much choice. So, I thought, oh, there’s one open about 10 minutes further away. I’ll try that. I’m so glad I did cuz this is a machine. I’m very um eager to get away from all folk. Yeah, basically that image in front of you is is what the entire place we we booked originally looks like. Just cranes and development and stuff. So, kind of wish I’d um done a bit more research. We were we were in place called Master Scala. There’s a massive regeneration project going on at the minute, but basically just like yeah, well, regenerating everything in that part of the island and uh yeah, I mean it was really beautiful town, but it was just construction everywhere and I was just getting so mad. Um, obviously we got there a really beautiful apartment, jacuzzi on roof and everything. So we thought this is going to be sick and then yeah 6:00 in the morning. Yeah. But so we tried emailing the guy and he having none of it like basically it’s out of my control. I’m like, “Yeah, but you you could have at least warned somebody, you know, uh about the about the construction so that you know if they’re heavy sleepers or whatever, but it wouldn’t have mattered. But now is it with me and foreign bikes? Ah, that weren’t light. Jesus. Oh, it’s shut. [ __ ] Right. Apparently, it’s this way. I don’t know what it is, but direction we need to go. This looks like it. Oh, yes. Right. Is this what we’re doing or we’re going down there? I might go a bit there and then down that. See what there is there. Anyway, yeah, it should be hopefully a sick ride. Want to get moving now. I’m away from Oh my ass. Full suspension. I still broke my anus. Whoa. It’s really strange riding someone else’s bike. I don’t know what this engine’s doing, but it’s digging digging digging dick. Oh man. This is nice. So, we’re going to follow coast on over there. I don’t even know. I don’t even know what’s going on. So, we’re just we’re just winging it. Be miracle if I don’t fall off. So, believe it or not, the the bike is doing the exact same thing as my bike does at home. Like crank sensor or something. You’re joking. I’ve come halfway across world. I’m still cursed with shitty crank sensors. Come on. Am I probably just me doing something wrong? Armed Forces of Malta. Military firing range. What? God, where am I going here? Maybe it’s just in the higher talk modes. Anyway, it’s fine. Just going to cruise the island. I mean, look at this. Absolutely sick. Wonder what all this were. Malta’s had a very interesting history. And I’m not going to give you a history lesson, but if you do want to YouTube like the the military history of Malta, especially World War II and stuff like that, it is crazy. Tiny little island. We stood so much and managed to keep yourself together and rebuild even even days earlier than that. It’s just it’s mental. What a place. I know you might be asking, well, why are you doing these silly videos if uh you’re away on holiday with Jess for your anniversary? while she’s chilling for a bit. She’s at home while she’s at the apartment. She’s having some breakfast and probably getting a hot tub and that and I’ll be back in a little bit. As for me, I don’t really know where I’m going. I hope Oh, sorry. Cheers. So, we’re looking for a place called Top of the World, and it’s apparently right over there. And don’t really know what it’s going to be. I’m assuming it’s just going to be a really nice viewpoint, but should be really nice. Ah, I’m knackered already. I don’t know my booze and chill for days. seems to have fixed itself now. Oh, I don’t know what it’s doing. Hey buddy. You okay? Oh dear, that was a bit stressful, but I think I fixed it. P16. whatever that means. Uh anyway, yeah, it’s been a it’s been a decent uh holiday so far. We’re only a couple of days in. A lot of drama at the beginning, but as soon as that got out of the way, we we moved to another apartment closer to the north of the island. And uh yeah, we’re just cruising now. So, I’m going to have a little hour bike ride. Uh, see if I can get to the top of the world. [ __ ] gears. Oh god, I’m cursed. Me. Cursed. Yeah. So, if you remember the Ather one, I kept having that grinding sound and then pedals kept gears kept slipping and all sorts of shite. And now this is just losing power altogether. So I’m never going to be able to make up that massive hill. I’m going to give it a go though. It says it’ll come to meet me if I I need it. It’s getting sad more than things to work and it’s like Right, we’re moving again. I don’t know why. I don’t know why things keep going wrong for me, but I’m going to stop trying to sulk about it now. I’m just going to move on. It’s weird. As soon as I set off from that place, it was really, really good. And now I’m out actually going where I want to be going in wilderness and stuff. I know it’s a bit of road like, but everything’s knackered. I drove all the way down here earlier on my uh in my taxi. Oh dear. I mean, it is a gorgeous island and there’s so many motorbikers cruising through roads. Such a nice place. There’s a lot of bike lanes, which is uh which is really nice. Oh my god, look at this one hill. Bloody hell. I don’t even know where I am or what I’m doing, but need to turn left soon. Actually, I’ll just try this now. Right. Well, I’m going to sit in the shade and have a minute. I’m off now and uh bless him. The guy’s come to uh come to my rescue. The shop owner has biked it down 100 mph. He’s just took my bike back and tried well he’s pedaling home manually and he swapped me for this. So yeah, poor guy. So, we traded bikes for a bit. So, I’m going to have a bit of a scenic tour around this lovely location. Try and find whatever the hell it is I’m looking for. There bit there’s a bit of a creek to the uh pedals, but we should be okay. So, we’re climbing up like this big central area of Malta and we’re going over towards well right at the top of there really uh take us towards uh what’s it called? Uh top of the world. That’s our plan for the day. Well, that’s it for the Look at it. We’re going up there somewhere. I I hope. So, yeah. I originally planned on this being like a a 2hour episode and I’ll be lucky to get one a two-hour episode, a two-part episode, and I’ll be lucky to get bloody one out of it at the minute. I don’t know what’s what’s going on. Hopefully I can just take it really really steady. Uh not overdo it. And to be fair, I weren’t overdoing it anyway. I was just riding like I normally do. So maybe I’ve just damaged the engine or something. I’m not sure. But that guy, bless him, he’s so lovely and he just seems so stressed. He’s been back home for a day, well back in Malta for a day and he’s like 100 million things he’s got to do. He only sat with me for 5 minutes just to s have a sig to try and uh try and sort me thing out. Just have a little bit of a 5minute break. And there’s like two phone calls from clients. We’re at your shop. Can we rent a bike? We’re here. We’re rent. Can you come and fix this wheel? What is going on? Poor guy. All right. So, I think we’re going right at the top of these cliffs, which is going to be a challenge, but I’m not a fan of the creaking chassis, but it’s still better than not moving at all. Yeah, I’m nervous about burning the motor out on the hills. So, I’m going to just push this super tight bit a minute. Christ. Look at this hill. Not joking when it’s the top of world. Bloody hell. I mean, it is beautiful. It’s November madness. So, we’re right at the top of that the island over there. So, it seems like a long tax ride, but it ain’t really. can get there in 20 minutes. Oh man, look at this. This is stunning. Am I up there or down here? I think I’ve gone off course. I’ve gone off course. God’s sake. Oh, it’s fine. Little by little. So, yeah. Well, just have a second. Malta edge to edge. I don’t want to pre-blow your mind cuz we’re going to another place. It’s called Top of the World. This might be like, I don’t know, the second penthouse of the world. This looks like it’s going downhill. Wow. Wow. Yeah, this has been uh this has definitely made it worth it. Thank you. Well, so the plan anyway is to try and convince Jess to want to jet ski with me, which will be awesome. Uh maybe a little quad tour if I can stick it in. Would you do a quads of life episode? Uh, probably not. Uh, yeah, we’re going to go tomorrow, I think, for a full day. All sorts of stuff. I haven’t actually done very far, so I spent half this ride to sat still waiting. But yeah, we’re going to have a steady wind back down the other side of the hill. Um, and then yeah, back towards the shop. But this isn’t actually the the route that I planned on going. Originally, there was a place called Trekking. Um, so I’m going to do trekking Malta. Uh, if if for some reason uh Wednesday or Thursday, you know, I get time and I could book another one and do and do that ride and try the different ebike. Uh, depends how we get what we get for time, me and Jess. But green. Look at this. This is mad. People live around here. That’s like they’re they’re every day they get to wake up and just be here. Tell you what, people have been absolutely lovely as well. We looked after apart from um obviously hotel, estate, agent people, but who were there really. Um yeah, so I don’t know. It’s hard. I’m finding it hard to talk because I’m just really looking looking at the scenes and really enjoying it. Nice if I could find a a restaurant. Well, not even a restaurant, just a little ch a little quirky shack with a pub. I’ll be buzzing. Be absolutely buzzing. Look at this. Ah, the entire episode is just going to be me saying, “Look at this.” Oh, I ain’t got me drone. Look at this for the bridge. This is a proper official stony bridge. Wow. Oh my days. Right, we’re in Merba. Merba Algaral Excelsior. Awesome. As long as I’m not going up there. Even more awesome. This is unreal. miles better than uh when I in there. This is just grand. Oh, look at that. Look at that. That does look a little more funny if I’m honest. Oh well. Can’t have them all, can we? It’s just getting better and better. Hell. Changed my route a little bit. I’m going to go a little bit more direct. It’s kind of back to where we’ve just been, but I’m just nervous about the bike cocking up with me on it. Uh, I don’t really want to get done or take the fist by smashing two bikes. Not that I did anything wrong, but the motor just kind of gave up a little bit. Christ, I’ve got brakes full on here. That’s dangerous. Dangerous. I wonder if I can cross over here and go back to the rocky bits that were at and actually enjoy them this time. See some of the sea or am I doomed? Bit of a path there and I don’t really know how to get to it. We shall have a venture. I’m assuming there’ll be a path or a gate somewhere cycle lane. Yeah. I can’t believe it’s SWAT. Go on. Watch. Tell them what time it is. It’s 25 3. Is it 25 4 here? I can’t I don’t know. No. 25 3. Okay. And I’ve had N to eat. Nice. Right, this is different. So, we’ll just cruise, I guess. I’ve not really had a lot to say, which is strange because I’ve done I’ve done a lot of stuff. I’ve been quite excited. I just think that uh the whole knackered bike thing took me by surprise. Uh, you don’t expect it to happen on both holidays, both times. Surely deserve a bit of a good ride, don’t bloody hell. I go this way. Yeah, just to get off road. Got palm trees on his right. Ocean to his left. Nice. Yeah, this bike is handling it just fine. Yep. Whoa. Awesome. And just like that, we’re back in Craton land. Love it. So, I’m going to finish here and I’m going to go back over to other end island where we’re staying and we’re going to go to the first pub with my Nesis and I’m going to get absolutely merry. Just like last night, we were sat at this thing. It was at this little corner by 11:00 p.m. This acoustic singer was singing all sorts of lovely songs and we were drinking wine and port and chew on vodka and cranberry and all sorts of stuff. And it was just absolutely lush. 11:00 p.m. and I’m sat there in a t-shirt. Well, a shirt, a shirt, and chinos. Can you believe it? 11:00 p.m. in November. Madness. So, yeah. No wonder everyone’s happy and friendly around here. Back in road shite now, aren’t we? One day I will have an episode, a special and everything will just go absolutely smoothly and I’ll just have, you know, conversation will be flowing. We’ll be looking at scenery and heritage stuff and all sorts of shite instead of me just moaning. Constantly increasing that moan to mile ratio. Nah, not having it. Not having it. get me to the pub. Even though it’s been a bit all over, I hope you’ve enjoyed me little uh little slice of Malta. It’s been uh I’ve got it’s been nice. I know I’ve uh I got a bit lost and an engine were pissing me off at the beginning and things have just been a bit all over the place, but it’s been different. You know, it’s not it’s not TPT right back at ash, is it? Blood de. So, it’s been good, but I wouldn’t have said it’s been leisurely leisurely. It’s me me talking trivia pursuit here. Sports and leisure. It’s not been a leisurely stroll, but it’s has been nice. uh in some parts bits maybe sort of pretty much back now. So yeah, I’m going to drop it back off with uh the guys at Lost Lost Banditos or whatever it’s called. Lost Lost Fernando Lost I can’t remember his name. I’m getting a taxi straight there. Or do I have a pipe first? But uh Oh dear. Hope you I hope you all uh semi enjoyed it. Anyway, I could actually go straight up that take a bit of a shortcut. I don’t think I’ve got it in me. Almost almost bedtime. You okay? Yeah. Realize I never showed your bike. Look at it. Wo Aditos Malta. Love a bit of kit. Bring it up. It’s so broken. This is perfect. Ah, no. I didn’t break another. This one is good. Yes, it’s great. Really good. I enjoyed it. I went all the way to um top of the world. Are you? Yeah, we’re good. Yeah. Yeah, we’re nice. Like that steep. It was good. Yeah, really good. Thank you. Thank you for the tip. No, no, no, no. It’s always like that. Are you tired after that ride? But mommy, I hate you for that. Don’t make me remind me. No, sorry. Sorry, we are close. Oh, no. Out. Oh, goodbye. Bye forever. Bye forever. No, no, no. Great. Well, that um ends the 61st episode, I suppose. bit of a chaotic uh middle bit, but I quite enjoyed it. So, I’m going to get taxi back now and mug it off. So, thank you all for watching as always, and uh see you in the next one. Bye.