Tarka Trail cycle route overall rating: (Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to be aware of) The Tarka Trail in North Devon follows a disused railway that once linked Barnstaple to Hatherleigh, and onwards. It’s a very well-known traffic-free route, set in a stunning natural environment. The trail … Read more
The beauty of cycle touring is the freedom is gives you, and that freedom includes how you tour. Some may choose foreign destinations, while others stay more local. Some may ride with everything but the kitchen sink, while others ride from hotel to hotel, carrying almost nothing on the bike. Broadly speaking, there simply is … Read more
20 miles there and back, mostly gravel This route incorporates a significant amount of gravel riding. Not quite extreme off-road, but certainly not easy riding all the way. Gravel riding, especially when carrying luggage on the bike, is considerably slower than riding on tar, and although the Redlake route isn’t particularly long, it’s equally suited … Read more
Mark Beaumont set a new Guinness World Record for circumnavigating the world by bicycle in 2008, and this book tells the tale of that event. It sounds so simple, doesn’t it? “Oh, he cycled around the world, and?”. Let’s put that in perspective: have you ever cycled 100+ miles in one day? If so, how … Read more
144 miles in total, mostly flat, with surfaces ranging from excellent to dire The Industrial Revolution laid the groundwork for the world we live in today, and the UK gave birth to the Industrial Revolution. Nothing in that sentence is contentious. What you may find surprising is that the canal network, and in particular the … Read more
I’m not much of a foodie, and doing a post on food isn’t exactly how I envisioned myself spending a number of hours. Having said that, the fact remains that – regardless of how much, or how little you enjoy food – your body will need fuel to power each pedal stroke of your cycle … Read more
Have you ever cycled in complete darkness? Night cycling is a totally different experience, and judging by rides such as the Dunwich Dynamo, it’s popular, too. And yet, so many people have never gone night cycling. There’s something magical about cycling at night. No, I’m not referring to urban night cycling, along roads with streetlights. … Read more
We live in the Information Age. Most people don’t seem to realise that information consumes time. In fact, it has a voracious appetite for devouring whatever time you may have. In this Information Age, we’ve become accustomed, even addicted, to living in an always-on, always-connected world. Don’t believe me? Try leaving your phone switched off … Read more
I reviewed many cycle travel books, and like all good cycle travel books, the story isn’t about the cycling. I’d go as far as to say that cycling is only relevant, because it allows you to travel at a human pace. That simply means you experience the world you’re travelling through in a far more … Read more
Go exploring along the gorgeous Somerset Circle! The UK has many disused railways, and many of these have been converted into shared paths. In fact, Sustrans’ very first path was the Bristol And Bath Rail Path, which follows the course of an old, disused railway, and forms part of the Somerset Circle. The Camel Trail in … Read more
You’ve always wanted a bit more adventure in your life, but something’s always held you back. But guess what? I know what that something is, or more accurately, I know who it is. Yes, it’s you! We all hold ourselves back, but usually we’re not comfortable with admitting that, so we come up with a great … Read more
Cycling, if cycling media, events and companies are to be believed, is a man’s game. Obviously, that perception is absolutely wrong – after all, cycling was central to the emancipation of women – but sadly that’s a perception that persists in so many people’s lives. Susan B Anthony, a suffragette, said it best: “I think it … Read more
I’ve done lots of wild-camping in my life. Interestingly, wild-camping is a term I only learned after moving to the UK. In South Africa wild-camping is what you mean when you say you’re going camping. My wild-camping experiences include only carrying a small daypack, with water and food and almost nothing else, and simply sleeping … Read more
Want to cycle Devon Coast To Coast (also known as Devon C2C) but unsure of how to go about it? Worry no more! My Devon Coast To Coast cycle route guide will make your whole experience a better one. It’s more than just a route guide – it’s a Digital Tour Leader! The guide consists of … Read more
When was the last time you did something for the first time? Just think about that for a few minutes. Also the next question: why was it so long ago? Do you remember, when you were a child, watching ants march in and out of their underground homes, sometimes spending ages, in pure fascination? Do … Read more