Life In The Saddle

Dawn breaks on the vineyards of the Corbieres. The French commune Lagrasse lies silent beneath unusually dark and clouded skies. Shorts and a jersey are pulled on over weary legs and shoulders. Over the past fourteen days riding across the European continent, this is a ritual that has been performed everywhere from mountaintop wild camps, to the spare rooms of friends and kind strangers. Today is the finale of the #7Countries7Passes tour. The final climb to the finish line. Like the days that have preceded it though, it will be no easy ride; plentiful challenges lie on the road ahead. Coffee is drunk. Porridge is eaten. Bags are packed. Shoes pulled on, and ratchets tightened. Clip in for the final ride. Today, for this final day, there is the novel luxury of having a friendly face and great photographer following in his iconic Land Rover: capturing the climax of the journey. Within minutes of departing, the darkening skies give way. Rain pelts down onto du...

There are easier ways to visit friends and family dotted across the European continent, than riding a fully loaded touring bike over some of the highest mountain passes. Those alternative options though, would provide little challenge… On a rainy day last November, I dreamed up the #7Countries7Passes tour. A 3000 kilometre self-supported ride across Europe; with 42,000 metres of vertical elevation gain, on a bike weighing 27 kilograms. Reflections on Life In The Saddle's biggest adventure to date… Joining The Dots The route for the tour started from the Danish capital of Copenhagen. I had been enticed by an offer to ride a gravel road race, sponsored by an ice cream company. Seeing as the Nordics are a part of the world that I haven't really explored to date, it seemed like a great opportunity to start an adventure. From Denmark, I headed south to the ferry to Germany, before beginning a long series of back-to-back days to get me to the town of Villingen, near t...