Kit Review: TyreKey Narrow

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I previously reviewed the TyreKey – a complete rethink on the humble tyre lever. For those of you who didn’t read that review, the TyreKey is a great bit of kit. When see that it looks like, you will instantly understand where it got the name from: it looks a bit like an oversized key. ... Read more

When AI writes about cycle touring

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ChatGPT ChatGPT is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) bot that’s received a great deal of publicity lately. Currently in free preview, practically anyone can go ask it anything. Be warned though: the responses aren’t always correct. Amongst other things, ChatGPT told me that the Silkin Way was in South Wales! There’s significant concern in academic circles ... Read more

Getting cold feet

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The Cambridge Dictionary defines “getting cold feet” as “to suddenly become too frightened to do something you had planned to do, especially something important such as getting married”. This post is not about that kind of cold feet. This post is all about keeping your feet warm on a bitterly cold winter’s ride. After all, ... Read more

The impact of climate change on cycle touring

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Did I get the title sequence wrong? Quite obviously, what we should be most concerned about is the impact of our activities on climate change. Climate change is man-made, real, speeding up and is frankly terrifying. Still, for the purposes of this post, I’ll focus on the impacts of climate change on cycle touring. Is climate ... Read more

Sawyer Mini Water Filtration System

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Sawyer Mini personal water filtration system
Water: the source of life I needed a personal water filtration system, and picked the Sawyer Mini for good reasons. You consist of 55% to 60% water, and your blood is around 90% water. You need to drink water every day (even if it’s contained in other drinks, such as coffee). Though there doesn’t seem ... Read more

Making a good Op Snap report

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What is Op Snap? In most of the UK cyclists can report bad or dangerous driving captured on their helmet cam to police, via an Op Snap portal. Not all UK police forces allow this, though. In Scotland, police remain determined to lag decades behind the times with regards to helmet cam video submissions. Why ... Read more

The Shropshire Union Canal cycle route

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Shropshire Union Canal cycle route overall rating: (Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to be aware of) The part of the Shropshire Union Canal covered by this guide isn’t in Shropshire at all, but in Cheshire. This route stretches from Nantwich to Ellesmere Port, a distance of 30 ... Read more

Know your place!

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Cycle camping at Redlake, as part of a mini cycle tour
Wild camping on Dartmoor Dartmoor is the last remaining wilderness in England, and the only place in all of England and Wales where wild camping is legal. Or rather, was legal! The Darwall Effect Alexander Darwall is a hedge fund manager and wealthy landowner, who owns a large estate in Scotland, and a huge tract ... Read more

Whitehaven to Workington & Camerton Railway Path

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Whitehaven to Workington & Camerton Railway Path cycle route overall rating: Another routes built on a disused railway, the Whitehaven to Workington & Camerton Railway Path cycle route is 12 miles of scenic bliss. The route starts off on smooth tar, with spectacular sea views.Soon, the route will veer away from the sea. You will ... Read more

Ultimate Guide to Planning Your 1st Cycle Tour

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Are you planning your first cycle tour and feeling overwhelmed? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Cycle touring can be a fantastic way to see the world and have unique travel experiences, but it’s normal to have questions and concerns about how to plan your trip. To help you get started, here is the ultimate guide ... Read more

Lanchester Valley Railway Path

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Lanchester Valley Railway Path cycle route overall rating: (Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to be aware of) The Lanchester Valley Railway path runs for 12 miles between Consett in the west and Broompark, near Durham in the east. Like most longer distant paths in County Durham, it ... Read more

South Tyne Trail cycle route

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South Tyne Trail cycle route overall rating: (Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to be aware of) Let me start this guide with an important notice: overall, the South Tyne Trail is not a family-friendly, easy route, though parts of it (notably between Haltwhistle and Slaggyford) can be ... Read more

The Ugly Truth About Cycle Touring

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The Ugly Truth? If you visit this site regularly, you’d know that I’m a big fan of cycle touring, and for good reason, too! I wrote many times about the sense of freedom you can get while cycle touring. Yes, even from very short tours. Especially when wild camping – as I prefer to do ... Read more

Chester Millennium Greenway

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The Chester Millennium Greenway is a 9.1 mile almost completely traffic-free cycle route, built mainly on a disused railway line. As the name suggests, it runs right through the heart of Chester.Because it’s built on a disused railway, the route can feel very disconnected from its surroundings, and even in Chester can feel surprisingly rural. ... Read more

We don’t want no cycle paths here

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Say hello to Cycling Judy Judy is a cyclist and a song-writer, and I suspect you will enjoy her work. She has an entire YouTube channel, but I thought I’d introduce her work with this song, We don’t want no cycle paths here.Judy’s on Twitter, and on Mastodon, so give her a follow!Enjoy!