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Showing posts from March, 2017

The '9 Roads to Nowhere' Ride Social

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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

Review - Vaude Power Lizard SUL 1-2P Touring Tent

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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 en

Weekend Watch - Lost Coast North

Makes me want to get bikepacking very soon...

Riding the Strade Bianche Grand Fondo 2017

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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… ther