The reality is that this year has been a massive setback; I feel like I’ve gained nothing – yet come away with everything. I write this post without any specific objective other than to share the importance of creating a positive mindset & how it can help other people going through tough times. Growth &…
The MSR Hubba NX is a 1-berth, semi free standing double walled tent. Probably the most popular tent brand in Europe at the moment? I’d had a lot of success car camping with the 2-berth Elixir II, hence I figured I’d try a smaller & lighter version for cycle touring & bikepacking. Specification (provided by…
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…
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…
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…
“Now, this is a story all about how my life got flipped-turned upside down…” Hey everyone, It’s been a while since I posted here! I hope you’re all well, that you’ve managed to maintain some sort of sanity & wellbeing and here’s hoping for much more positive year! So… 2020, the year of roaming home….
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…
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…
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…
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…
Fresh air, coffee, vanlife, adventure and simplicity – It could only be autumn adventures in the Cairngorms National Park. The best of the Scottish highlands. Oh, and bikes too (of course). With a week off scheduled, the lure of adventure begins to grow. Nothing quite awakens the soul like a trip to Scotland. Vast mountainous…
So I’ve just returned back to normality after a week away, seeking both answers and adventure in the Scottish Highlands. It’s been a hectic summer – but for all the right reasons, this summer has been one to remember. From my journey of 1000 miles across the alps, to successfully adding my name to Everesting…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…