Bikepacking & Ultra-Distance Cycling

My love of bikes turned into an obsession during the covid lockdown period. I was already riding a lot of miles, both daily commuting & riding mountain bikes at the weekend. I’d gotten to the point where I was embracing touring – having just ridden 1000miles across the Alps, I was preparing to take a career break where I’d go & cycle around the world. A big jump, I know! Obviously Covid put a stop to that before I even got going.

During the lockdown period I found myself just setting off from the front door & just riding. In the UK, we couldn’t meet friends or socialise, so it was just me & my bike, riding as far as I could or wanted – the distances progressively increased – to the point where I found myself needing to take overnight kit.

With my round the world touring plans shelved, I decided short/medium length bikepacking events would be the way to see the world, using my annual leave from work. I quickly realised I was fitter than average & the more I dived deeper into the world of bikepacking, the more I grew fascinated with the world of ultra-distance cycling & racing.

Here you’ll find all my insights into the world of bikepacking & ultra-distance cycling – from race reports to kit I use. To learn more about my training & nutrition, head over to the Everything section.

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

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…
Bikepacking the Badger Divide

The Badger Divide is a 340km bikepacking route between Inverness & Glasgow in the Scottish Highlands. Stuart Allan is the brainchild behind it, taking inspiration from the famous Baja Divide in Mexicali. May is undoubtedly the best time to ride in Scotland, after the cold & wet winter, but before the heat & midge season…
All Points North 2022 Race Report

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…
Hope 1000 Race Report

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…
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

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

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…
Bikepacking the Cairngorms Loop

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…
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

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

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…
All Points North 2021 Race Report

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…
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

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

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?

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

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 Yorkshire Dales 300

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…
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…
How Cycling has become a way of Life

Over the last two years, cycling has had a hugely positive effect on my life. It’s become influential in the way I live each day of my life – almost to the point of obsession. Given cycling will be dominating the latter part of my 2020 plans, I thought I’d write this post to explain…
Winter Bikepacking in the Scottish Borders

So I probably couldn’t have picked a darker, colder, wetter time of year to head out on a 3-day adventure, winter bikepacking in the Scottish borders. After a pretty hectic end to year, I set out with the sole intention of addressing my work/bike balance. I ride to work every day, but work a lot…
Bikepacking for Beginners: 7 Top Tips

So I’ve finished work for the year & to celebrate I’m heading off on a winter bikepacking adventure in Scotland to address my work/bike balance! Do I feel prepared, absolutely not! But then again, I didn’t when I began my bikepacking adventures this summer. A few people have taken interest in my bikepacking adventures this…
Birthday Bikepacking in the Lake District

How do you celebrate another year closer to arthritis? By heading out bikepacking in the Lake District! In a summer that has seen me graduate from university, ride my bike across the Alps & add my name to the Everesting hall of fame. There is one adventure that stands out from the rest – a…
Bikepacking the Yorkshire 3 Peaks

Low winds, clear skies & the calling of the Yorkshire 3 peaks. With the glorious forecasts ahead of the 2019 Yorkshire 3 peaks cyclocross race, it seemed rude not to head out bikepacking the Yorkshire 3 Peaks route beforehand! With the Yorkshire 3 peaks being as popular as they are, mountain biking the 24 mile…
Bikepacking and Bothies in the Scottish Borders

Linking together bikepacking and bothies in the Scottish borders has been on my hit list for some time. Like most, I’ve always driven straight past the Scottish borders in search of adventure in the highlands. I mean it’s not exactly on the way to anywhere is it! Rumour has it, the gravel trails of Kielder…
Everesting: The Ultimate Climbing Challenge

‘The concept of Everesting is fiendishly simple: Pick any hill, anywhere in the world and ride repeats of it in a single activity until you climb 8,848m – the equivalent height of Mt Everest. Complete the challenge, and you’ll find your name in the Hall of Fame, alongside the best climbers in the world.’ –…
Bikepacking the Austrian Salzkammergut: A Journey of One Thousand Miles (Part 4)

Bikepacking the Austrian Salzkammergut, the final leg on my journey of one thousand miles! From sunny Slovenia, I was greeted by rain and thunderstorms in Austria. The objective was Vienna. From Villach, Vienna was a pretty reasonable distance. But I didn’t come to alps for reasonable distance. I came to the alps to explore. I’d…
Bikepacking the Soca Valley: A Journey of One Thousand Miles (Part 3)

My traverse across the Eastern Dolomites brought me to the foothills of the Julian Alps, where I was to begin bikepacking the Soca Valley. I’d experienced remoteness and isolation for the first time on this journey of one thousand miles. I’d ridden in thick clouds, through apocalyptic rain, getting further and further from civilisation. Having…
Bikepacking Across the Italian Dolomites: A Journey of One Thousand Miles (Part 2)

Part 2 of my journey of one thousand miles, bikepacking across the Italian Dolomites, started in spectacular fashion. Camping at high altitude, not far from Livigno. That night was the night the weather was due to break across the alps. TDF stage 19 had already been abandoned and the bad weather was due to move…
Bikepacking: A Journey of One Thousand Miles (Part 1)

Part 1 of my journey of one thousand miles, across the European alps started in Switzerland. My plan was to ride across Switzerland through the Bernese Oberland & Graubunden, aiming to cross the border into Italy near Livigno. As crazy as a journey of one thousand miles across the alps may sound, it was a…
Bikepacking: A 3 Day Lake District Bikepacking Epic

With a full weekend of sunny weather, I loaded my bike and kit and headed north for a 3 day Lake District bikepacking epic. After the success of my recent midweek mountain bike micro adventures, followed by getting my first 100 mile day ride under my belt, I figured the next step on my big…
Bikepacking: My First 100 Mile Day

Nerves, apprehension, can I do it? All thoughts running through my mind ahead of my first 100 mile day on a bike. Truth be told, I was more scared of failure. What If I don’t do it? It didn’t bear thinking about. All the training I’ve done, through wind and rain. It would be so…
Cycling to Work: A Lifestyle Change

Over the last few weeks I’ve gotten myself back into cycling to work, this new found love of road cycling came about when on a chilled-out break down in Cornwall. Of the 5 days we spent living the simple beach lifestyle, we moved the van once – cycling everywhere; to the beach, to the town,…
Ben Nevis: Walk for Nepal

Saturday the 19th May was the day of the annual PHASE Worldwide Walk for Nepal event. The Walk for Nepal event, was founded by Alex Staniforth following his experience of the 2015 Nepal earthquake during his second attempt to climb Everest. The 2018 event took place Ben Nevis – the highest mountain on the British…

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