After 12 months, 15,000km and 10 countries, our cycling adventure from Greece to China has finally rolled to an end. One month after hopping out of the saddle, and a couple of weeks after landing on home soil, everyone's asking what did I learn from the trip. Here are my answers, the final 3 life lessons.

The Fabled G318 begins its journey in China's economic engine room, Shanghai, and winds its way west for 5,476km before reaching the spiritual homeland of Tibet, Lhasa. You won't find two cities in China with more opposing souls than these, and the G318 has become a modern pilgrimage for young Chinese in search of their identity in the rapidly evolving China of the 21st century.

As I'm sitting on the top of the hill, the cold wind sending shivers down my spine, painting the gorgeous Monastry-scape of Xiahe, I feel a tap on my shoulder.  

Kyrgyzstan mesmerised us with its natural beauty. The country of jagged snow capped mountains, deep blue alpine lakes and rolling summer pastures was a highlight of our trip, and there's no better way to show it than with the photos we took. 

After 3 months cycling our way through Central Asia, we've chased herds of wild horses in Kazakhstan, been awed by the history of Uzbekistan, and sipped tea with nomads in Kyrgyzstan. Now it's time to share 3 lessons learnt. 

The Silk Road cities of Uzbekistan stand out as a jewel in the cultural crown of our adventure. But like every country before, it was the time spent in forgotten villages, drinking tea with locals, that really warmed our hearts.

Uncertainty lurks behind every corner, every day. No matter how well prepared we are, stuff breaks, temperatures plummet, border guards can get grumpy and people can change their attitude at the flick of a switch. And when things go wrong, there's no comfortable space to step back into and tame that feeling of vulnerability.

Our late night arrival in Kazakhstan felt eerily similar to the first night of our trip. With butterflies in my stomach and a sense of nervous excitement at what lay ahead, we cycled on to a new continent, with new cultures and new adventures to be had.

If travelling is at its most rewarding when we're pushed outside our comfort zone, introduced to new cultures and welcomed into the hearts and homes of locals, then Iran might just be the most rewarding destination on earth.