Tom and Caroline Bridge, a feisty mother-son pair from Hargrave near Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, are on a wonderful journey. To be specific, they are the only American team competing in the fifth series of the amazing BBC program “Race Across the World.” At only 21 years old, Tom has already traveled around South America and Europe for nearly ten months. However, unlike 23-year-old Caroline, 60-year-old Caroline has never been able to afford to travel like this – until this expedition. They are ambitious to ride at least 8,700 miles (14,000 km) through China, Nepal and India. The team’s aim is to be the first team to reach Kanyakumari, the southernmost point of India.
“Race Across the World” offers an exhilarating, real-world test. All teams need to make the trip with no assistance from smartphone, credit card or airplane. This creates a layer of complexity that Tom and Caroline are discovering to be more challenging than they anticipated. As we all know, starting their journey at The Great Wall of China, they found that their path was not so simple.
“The experience is much harder than we thought it would be,” Tom remarked, highlighting the difficulties they encountered along the way. Despite the many challenges Caroline encountered along the way, she described it as “life changing.” She experienced a “brilliant sensation” journeying without the benefits of all that technology so close at hand. She reiterated how committed she was to making this trip with her son. When they found out they were accepted into the program, she says that she knew right away that this opportunity was meant for her.
Caroline’s enthusiasm was infectious as she called Tom within minutes of getting the news that they would be joining. “I knew it was what I wanted – it was as if the programme was made for me,” she said, reflecting on her excitement for this new chapter in her life.
Follow Tom and Caroline on their exciting adventure to victory and a £20,000 prize as they journey through three countries. In the process, they are learning important lessons and experiences. “It has given me a better understanding of the world, and a bit more confidence in myself,” Tom shared, further illustrating the transformative nature of their journey.
The duo is one of five pairs competing in this season of “Race Across the World,” each team facing similar challenges as they navigate diverse landscapes and cultures. As they go on this quest, the Bridges are in a race against time. In the process, they forge friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.
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