How to Get the Perfect Bike Position for Ultra-Distance Cycling
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How to Get the Perfect Bike Position for Ultra-Distance Cycling

I’m relatively new to world of cycling & ultra-distance, I’m learning all the time, however understanding the effect of bike position has been revolutionary for me. I wanted to write this post to share a couple of things I learned about bike position during 2022 & how you can get the perfect bike position for…

Bikepacking the Veneto Trail
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Bikepacking the Veneto Trail

The Veneto Trail is a 500km unsupported bikepacking adventure through the Veneto region of Northern Italy. Starting in Cittadella, the off road loop takes in the spectacular views & trails of the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park. I came to the Dolomites a few years ago when touring across the Alps – It rained the entire…

Diaries of an Aspiring Ultra-Distance cyclist: Recovery from a Brain Haemorrhage
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Diaries of an Aspiring Ultra-Distance cyclist: Recovery from a Brain Haemorrhage

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…

Trans Pyrenees Race Report
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Trans Pyrenees Race Report

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…

Diaries of an Aspiring Ultracyclist: Developing the Right Mindset
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Diaries of an Aspiring Ultracyclist: Developing the Right Mindset

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…

Diaries of an Aspiring Ultra-Distance Cyclist: Importance of Rest
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Diaries of an Aspiring Ultra-Distance Cyclist: Importance of Rest

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…

Diaries of an Aspiring Ultra-Distance Cyclist: Dealing with Setbacks
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Diaries of an Aspiring Ultra-Distance Cyclist: Dealing with Setbacks

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…

Diaries of an Aspiring Ultra-Distance Cyclist: 9 Things I Learnt from my Debut Year in Ultra-Distance Cycling
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Diaries of an Aspiring Ultra-Distance Cyclist: 9 Things I Learnt from my Debut Year in Ultra-Distance Cycling

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 9 things I learnt from my debut year in ultra-distance cycling, which I wish I knew before I…

Dales Divide 2021 Race Report
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Dales Divide 2021 Race Report

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…

Diaries of an Aspiring Ultra-Distance Cyclist: Training for Ultra-Endurance Cycling
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Diaries of an Aspiring Ultra-Distance Cyclist: Training for Ultra-Endurance Cycling

As daft as it sounds, riding long distances is not how I’m training for ultra-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 every…

Diaries of an Aspiring Ultra-Distance Cyclist: The Beginning
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Diaries of an Aspiring Ultra-Distance Cyclist: The Beginning

Welcome to the diaries of an aspiring ultra-cyclist, a first-hand documentary of my journey towards becoming an ultra-cyclist – or should I say, attempting to! It’s a bold statement to call yourself any kind of athlete, let along an ultra-distance athlete. That status is reserved exclusively for those who have successfully completed an ultra-event. Period….

Packing for a Bikepacking Trip: What should I take?
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Packing for a Bikepacking Trip: What should I take?

The number one question I get asked in response to bikepacking posts on social media is ‘what do I pack for a bikepacking trip?’. When I think about packing for a bikepacking trip, the answer is not just as simple as ‘take your usual bike riding kit + camping kit’, how you pack it is…

Bikepacking the Lakeland 200
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Bikepacking the Lakeland 200

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…

Bikepacking the Pennine Bridleway
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Bikepacking the Pennine Bridleway

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…