All Points North 2021 was the first ultra-distance race I had completed, so I’m not sure if it was the lure of a local race or if it was because I wanted to finish stronger than last year. Either way, as soon as registrations opened, I knew I wanted to attempt the All Points North…
The Hope 1000 is a non-stop mountain bike ride of 1000km across the Switzerland. The route itself is fixed. From Romanshorn to Montreux, it is quite simply a masterpiece, taking in iconic climbs & astonishing views of the Swiss Alps. There is no entry fee, no outside support, no prize money & the quote Willi…
After explaining the nature of my accident, I thought I’d share some insights into my recovery from a brain haemorrhage. The arrival of Spring & British Summer Time day light saving has coincided perfectly with me feeling fit & able enough to start riding outside again! During this period of down time, I’ve spent a…
For the last few years my happiness levels have been directly proportional to the amount of time I spend outside, riding my bike. In the last few months I’ve been unable to exercise or socialise too much, so I’ve had to look for alternate ways of keeping my dopamine levels up. Allow me to explain…
The Trans Pyrenees is a self-supported ultra-distance race organised by Lost Dot, the team behind the famous Transcontinental Race. My Trans Pyrenees race report is from the second edition of the race, TPRNo2, originally schedule for the autumn of 2020 which took place at the end of September 2022. Starting in St Jean De Luz…
I’ve had a bit of an epiphany regarding ultra-distance riding & racing. So far in 2022 I’ve entered two races; the Dales Divide & All Points North – both resulting in DNFs. I should be disappointed, yet I only feel acceptance. This epiphany I’ve had is more a moment of acceptance, realising that I’m still…
Inspired by Huw Oliver’s film at Kendal Mountain Film Festival, Amy & I agreed there and then we needed to go bikepacking the Cairngorms Loop. There’s this really magical period in the UK around late April/early May where the trails are dry but not overgrown, the days are warm, with over 12 hours of daylight…
I write this blog post in frustration, to vent my thoughts before starting my racing season with the Dales Divide next weekend. I’ve lost a lot of time to little niggly setbacks over the last few weeks. I wanted to talk about the importance of rest with respect to all the other tasks that need…
I really want to talk about dealing with setbacks; as with any endeavour in life, setbacks will happen – it’s inevitable & totally unavoidable – the only thing that matters is your response. Setbacks come in many forms; illness, injury, life events, work, bike malfunctions etc. Luckily I haven’t had any major setbacks as I…
2021 challenged me in a lot of ways; injuries & Covid cancellations mainly. However disappointment is only a disappointment if you allow it to be so – really its an opportunity to learn, develop & grow. Here’s 10 things I learnt from my debut year in ultra-distance cycling, which I wish I knew before I…
Intro All Points North 2021 is a self-supported, ultra-distance, endurance race. It’s a really unique race in that there isn’t a set route – there isn’t even a set direction! The only criteria is you must ride to each of the 10 checkpoints, which are dotted – not very evenly – around the north of…
Intro The Dales Divide is a 600km coast to coast (and back again!) off-road bikepacking adventure through the Yorkshire Dales & North Yorkshire Moors. It follows quiet back lanes, smooth gravel tracks rough hardpack field crossings & unforgiving rough-stuff bridleways – all the while taking in some of the finest Yorkshire vistas. This blog has…
As daft as it sounds, riding long distances is not how I’m training for ultra-distance endurance cycling. You probably read my first diaries of an aspiring ultra-cyclist post & were left wondering ‘how on earth is a moderately fit recreational cyclist going to turn himself into an ultra-distance endurance cyclist? Surely he must be spending…
What better way to change the tune of monotony than an exhilarating weekend of scrambling in Snowdonia! Over the last few weeks I’ve found myself feeling dull & routinely, needing some time away, a break from this new ‘normality’. Craving time off the beaten track, up in the mountains where the only thing that matters…
The next chapter in my roam home series this summer was bikepacking the Lakeland 200. Branded as a rite of passage for Lake District mountain bikers, it’s a fiendish 200km loop that has just about everything, from quiet back lanes, smooth gravel, technical climbs, bog slog, high mountain passes & super fun singletrack. The route…
Straight off bikepacking the spine of England along the Pennine Bridleway, what better way to continue my summer of UK exploration than to jump straight back on the bike & set off bikepacking the Yorkshire Dales 300?! In all honesty, I told myself on Sunday evening on the way home from the Pennine Bridleway I…
2020 is looking like the year of roaming home. With restrictions being gradually lifted, multi-day bicycle trips are back on the agenda – first up, bikepacking the Pennine Bridleway. Amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic this summer, I’m swapping a ‘round the world bike tour’ for a summer of UK exploration – it’s a good thing the…
Last minute, spontaneous plans are always the best. I mean who doesn’t love getting a text on a Monday morning suggesting taking Friday off & heading north for a 3-day ski weekend in the Scottish Highlands?! Life has been hectic of late. Balancing training for 2020 goals, planning an 18-month career break, saving for an…
I can’t say I’m one for routine, nor I am the biggest fan of winter. The wind, rain & unpleasant forecasts often get the better of me. So how does someone who likes neither of those things find the motivation for outdoor winter training? Quite simply, I like to have something to look forward to…
Aside from some exciting adventure plans, one of my personal goals for 2020 is all about saying yes more. Saying yes to more adventures, fresh challenges and new opportunities. As someone with multiple hobbies, I quite often let the weather dictate my plans. This means last minute plans, late changes and often a lack of…