What does “Leave No Trace really mean?
Throughout this site, you will find regular references to Leave No Trace, but what does it actually mean? Is it simply about picking up your litter, or is there more to it? Actions have consequences In South Africa, there’s an area known as Namaqualand. It’s barren desert most of the time, but when it does ... Read more
Secret Plymouth – Plumtown
Secret Plymouth routes are part of the Secret Cities series of cycle route guides. This one sets off from Coypool Park & Ride, to go explore some roads and lanes in Plympton that you probably never even knew existed. Why is this route called Plumtown? Plympton is considered to have taken it’s name from the ... Read more
An act of rebellion
You can’t accuse me of not nailing my colours to the mast. I loudly and proudly oppose racism, homophobia, transphobia, misogyny, xenophobia, genocide and more. Climate change I understand the severity of the threat climate breakdown poses, and that we’re rushing headlong into making this planet uninhabitable for humans. And of course I’m continuously working ... Read more
The Road Headed West – Leon McCarron
During the economic crash of 2008, Leon McCarron was in a predicament: jobs were few and far between, and after a 6 month stint of working in New York city, he’d had enough. What he needed was an adventure, and what better adventure than to cycle across the USA? This book tells the story of ... Read more
But travel is for the rich…
Let us be honest: it will cost a lot of money to take a few years out to go cycle around the world. Mark Beaumont’s latest world record cost over £250 000, placing even an attempt well beyond the reach of most people. Even if your budget was to survive on just £10 per day, ... Read more
Cycling Home From Siberia – Rob Lilwall
I’m not sure that I’d want to cycle in the Siberian winter, and even if I did, I’m quite sure I wouldn’t simply rely on an untested postie pair of winter over-trousers to keep me warm. Clearly, Lilwall and I have different approaches, but I’ll freely admit his approach makes for a better story. Camping. ... Read more
A cycle tourer’s guide to stargazing in the UK
There’s something magical about ending a long day in the saddle with your tent pitched, water for coffee bubbling on your stove, and the night sky slowly revealing its secrets overhead. For cycle tourers, stargazing isn’t just a bonus – it’s part of the adventure. Whether you’re wild camping in Wales or tucked into a ... Read more
Cycling Horoscopes: Zodiac on Two Wheels
So, you’re interested in your zodiac sign, are you? Well, aren’t you lucky, as here I have the Cyclist’s Zodiac Signs revealed in all their detail. How accurate is yours? Aquarius (Jan 20–Feb 18) The alt-bike oracle. Commutes on a bamboo bike, tinkers with belt drives, probably invented their own saddle. Loves solar lights and ... Read more
A Dartmoor Gravel Adventure
Last week I set off from Princetown, following the course of the old Princetown Railway. On my bike I had my tent, and two full panniers, as I was planning on camping overnight. As the route isn’t particularly long, I set off fairly late in the day. It was a Monday, and I finished work ... Read more
Colliers Way traffic-free cycle route
Colliers Way Cycle Route Overall Rating: (Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to be aware of) Colliers Way is a disused railway in Somerset. Sustrans says it stretches for 17.5 miles from Frome to Monkton Combe. However, from Radstock to Monkton Combe is mainly on-road, albeit mostly on ... Read more
Slough Arm of the Grand Union Canal
Slough GUC cycle route overall rating: (Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to be aware of) The Slough arm of the Grand Union Canal branches off the main canal. I started this route right by the Slough railway station, and it ends at the West Drayton train station. ... Read more
Llama Drama, by Anna McNuff
Anna McNuff is a British adventurer, perhaps best known for her barefoot, long-distance running. She had this idea of using a scooter (the type that you push with one foot) to travel down the length of South America. To accompany her, McNuff enlisted a friend of hers, Faye. When initial testing (in the UK) showed ... Read more
Up where we belong…
Hills. Love them, or loathe them, but hills undeniably make cycling more interesting. The thing that determines how you feel about hills isn’t found in your muscles. Instead, it exists in your mind. If you view hills as punishment, and obstacles, then they will seem bigger, and more difficult. But it doesn’t have to be ... Read more
Kit Review: DJI Neo drone
A few months ago, on the recommendation of a friend, I purchased a DJI Neo drone. There were several reasons behind my decision to buy the Neo, and that started with them recommending it highly. Why a drone? That’s simple to answer: I recently started doing videos, to supplement my traffic-free cycling route guides. Using ... Read more