Life In The Saddle

Back in December, I led my '9 Roads to Nowhere' ride for a group of friends. It was filmed as part of British Cycling's Let's Ride #RideSocial campaign - showcasing the best kind of 'Social Ride' I could offer.

The video was shortlisted as one of the best examples of a group ride - Hopefully it inspires you to get out and ride. If I win the contest, I'm proposing to run the route again in 2017, you can come and join! PLEASE VOTE BY CLICKING HERE

Your choice of tent for bikepacking or bike touring makes a notable difference to comfort and speed, both on and off the bike. Go too big, and you'll be carrying extra weight. Go too small, and you might struggle to get a good night's sleep.

The Vaude Power Lizard SUL 1-2P Tent looks to be the perfect size for the solo cycle tourer.


A spacious one-man tent The Vaude Power Lizard SUL 1-2P is branded (as the name suggests) as a large one-man tent, or a small two-man tent. I have heard of people using it for both, and the footprint of the internal area is similar to other super-light 2 person tents from brands like Nordisk and Telemark.
For me though, the tent is the ideal size for comfortable solo bike touring or hiking; and that is what I have used it for to date. Weighing in at 1,100 grams (including pegs), it is minimal in weight; and it has a tiny pack size (34 x 12 centimetres). 
Small enough and light enough not to be a burden to a solo explorer, it has enough room inside…

Makes me want to get bikepacking very soon...

Suddenly the tarmac ends. Gravel pings from beneath tyres. The white limestone paste is kicked up by wheels; hitting shins, feet and back-side. Your grip tightens on the hoods; riders swerve around potholes and large stones in front.

Benvenuto a Strade Bianche…



Torrential Tuscany In the weeks before an event I often find myself scanning the local weather forecast; trying to decide on kit, and crossing my fingers for good weather.

The forecast for the historic Italian city of Siena seemed to deteriorate every time I checked it though; starting with 'occasional rain showers', it evolved into 'thunderstorms and heavy rain' by the day before the event.

Welcome to Flanders, in Tuscany. This was going to be a true 'Spring Classic'.



Kitting up After watching Elisa Longo Borghini solo to victory for Wiggle High5 on the Saturday, and then standing on the finish line for the men's race a few hours later, I gained an idea of what was to come… there would be no dust on…