Simon Parker

Simon Parker is a British travel writer, author, filmmaker and broadcast journalist known for his adventurous exploration and compelling storytelling. He has reported from over 100 countries, capturing stories ranging from social inequality in Colombia to the 'migrant crisis' in Greece. His work spans multiple media, including books, television series and newspaper columns. His most recent book, A Ride Across America (2024), documents his 4,000-mile journey across the United States.

Parker's academic journey began at Liverpool Hope University, where he studied Film, Cinema and Video Studies. Reflecting on his educational experience, he remarked, "I left secondary school with two Es and a U at A-level, but after a year of hitchhiking around Australia and New Zealand, I returned to the UK determined to get a first-class degree". That determination paved the way for his future success as a travel writer and journalist.

Parker has interviewed high-profile personalities such as tennis legends Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal and reported on topics as diverse as product shortages in Venezuela and political unrest worldwide.

His adventurous spirit has led him to paraglide solo across the Andes, hike the highest volcanoes in Bali and take a rickshaw ride across India.

In 2016, Parker undertook an ambitious journey, sailing and cycling from China to London in 133 days, which he chronicled for a series in The Telegraph and a documentary on the BBC World Service. His first book, Riding Out (2022), detailed a 3,427-mile journey around the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering an insight into people's lives across "Pandemic Britain".

Parker's latest book, A Ride Across America (2024), captures his experiences cycling across the United States at a crucial time in the run-up to the 2024 presidential election. Riding 4,000 miles in ten weeks, Parker sought to understand the diverse perspectives of 'middle America', often overlooked by the mainstream media.

"I wanted to find the 'real America' in its small towns, rainforests, deserts, prairies and mountains," Parker explained. His encounters with religious leaders, the homeless, teachers, librarians and cotton farmers provided a unique window into the nation's social and cultural fabric.

The Bookseller named A Ride Across America its non-fiction book of the month for July 2024.

Simon Parker lives in London.

Photo credit: www.simonwparker.co.uk