Features

LIFEWORK: Anthony Pearson

Words, photos and video by Robin Pearson
Music by Hollow Hand

What is it about camper vans that’s so appealing? The ideal escape, that romantic sentiment that ‘home is where you park it’, the simple freedom of it all. It does seem to be the common dream for countless people working a regular job – to just ditch everything and go and live on the road. It’s the antithesis to a standard working life.

However, for most it is just a dream. It obviously takes brave commitment to make something like this happen – quit your job, move out of your house, and just get out there. There’s definitely something magic about the idea of living on the road.

Anthony Pearson and his girlfriend Becky have been on the move since late last year, cruising around Europe and Morocco, taking a casual route down the west coast of France, across northern Spain and then into Portugal, which is where I met up with them.

“There’s definitely something magic about the idea of living on the road.”

Ant and Becky live in their 1996 Hymer. This is no rattly old hippie wagon, the thing is fully legit. (Substantially more legit than some houses I’ve lived in.) They have plenty of power, a tidy bathroom with hot shower, LPG powered facilities, comfy sleeping arrangements and a decent amount of space. It’s a genuinely pleasant place to be in. My girlfriend and I joined them for a spot of tea while we were in the same area, and had all the room we needed. A legit house vehicle.

So, getting back to this dream that everyone has… How is it actually possible? It definitely seems out of reach for many people. In reality, it’s not for everyone. Ant and Becky basically saved incredibly hard for a very long time, and now are able to sustain themselves on the road by working to a daily budget.

Exploring away from home, Ant said he’s stumbled upon some of the best spots in between places – he’s ended up riding some amazing places that might not be worth a whole trip in their own right, but when you’re driving across a country and there’s somewhere to ride within an hour’s detour then of course it’s worth a look!

The genius of travelling like this with a BMX is your likelihood to stumble upon amazing spots. If you don’t have much of an agenda, exploration becomes your focus, whether on four wheels or two.

Follow more of Ant’s adventures on Instagram at @hymerlife