Wild camping spots in England

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Looking for the top wild camping spots in England, are you? Somewhere secret, off the beaten path, but also stunning? Oh, I can assure you there are plenty of those about. But let’s not jump the gun here, shall we? The basics of wild camping in England Let’s start by clarifying some things. First off, ... Read more

#RubbishRide

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I’d wager that, like pretty much all of us, you too are fed up with rubbish along your favourite cycle routes. We know that cyclists aren’t usually the problem. If you doubt that, have a look at the side of any British motorway. Remember, cyclists aren’t permitted on motorways! If it’s to be, it’s up ... Read more

How to get fit for summer, before summer

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Many cyclists either stop riding, or greatly reduce their riding during winter. Of course, that’s perfectly understandable. After all, it takes a great deal of motivation to step outside and get on your bike when it’s sleeting outside! However, winter miles are summer smiles, and those who ride through winter are usually rewarded with a ... Read more

Riding Out, by Simon Parker

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Riding Out tells the story of when travel writer Simon Parker decided to cycle from the UK’s northernmost point, Muckle Flugga, in Shetland, to the southwesternmost point, Bishop’s Rock. The catch? It was during the height of the pandemic. Parker barely made it to Land’s End, when Lockdown 1 scuppered his plans. When restrictions were ... Read more

Essential winter maintenance for bicycles

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Winter cycling is a bunch tougher on your bike, and on you, than cycling in summer. So, what can you do to help ensure your bike is in as good a shape throughout winter? Here are some relatively straightforward tips that are sure to improve your winter cycling. Cleanliness Winter road much punishes your bike, ... Read more

Kit Review: uleFone Armor 25T Pro

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My requirements for mobile phones are different to those of most people, and that’s because of cycle touring and camping. For starters, I need a phone that is waterproof. Next, it needs to be rugged, and thirdly, it needs a large capacity battery. The Armor 25T Pro ticks all these boxes, plus a lot more. ... Read more

Cycling with kids: How to make rides fun and safe

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Kids are amazing. They’re full of energy and inquisitive about the world around the. Until suddenly they’re not. Every parent knows that tired kids can rapidly become grumpy kids. Add into the mix that the same can happen when kids are hungry, and things can start going sideways in a hurry. Kids love to cycle! ... Read more

Back to basics – my winter camping gear

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Winter camping in the UK is radically different to summer camping, and not only because of the temperature difference. In the UK, it rains during winter. That means not only cycling, and quite likely pitching your tent in the rain (or sleet) but sleeping on soggy ground. Through trial and error, I fine-tuned my winter ... Read more

Finding the wild

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Scientists tell us that behaviourally modern humans existed for around 50 000 to 65 000 years. For the vast majority of that time, most humans lived in wild surroundings. Though some cities existed a few thousand years ago, by today’s standards, they were small, and most humans lived in a more rural setting. Then along ... Read more

AI can’t ride a bicycle

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I’m absolutely sick to the back teeth about yet another company “upgrading” their product to be “enhanced” by AI! The Luddites In the UK there’s a description often incorrectly used to portray someone as anti-progress, or anti-machine. That’s done by calling them a Luddite, but the Luddites weren’t any of those things. Instead, the Luddites, ... Read more

Round The World On A wheel

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Round The World On A Wheel is the story of when John Foster Fraser, along with two others, cycled around the world. They set off in 1896, when the British Empire was at its height (Empire features much in this book) and the world was a very different place than it is today. Record-breaking ride ... Read more

Avoiding freezing

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cyclist on footpath in forest in winter
Now autumn’s here (in the northern hemisphere, anyway) it’s not long before the really cold weather will be here. Obviously, cycling in cold weather is significantly different. For starters, you need a strategy for dealing with the cold. You may need to alter your routes, to avoid the risk of black ice. As for dealing ... Read more

Longendale Trail

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Longendale Trail cycle route overall rating: The Longendale Trail is located in the Peak District National Park. It follows the track bed of the old Great Central Railway, starting in Hadfield, to finish 8 miles later in Salter’s Brook. From the start, the trail starts heading uphill, but it’s a gentle incline. Surface on the ... Read more

12 months – 12 commutes

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parked bicycle
This challenge is aimed at people who don’t cycle commute, and the principle is very simple: commute to work at least once per month, every month. Habits Science tells us it takes most people 66 days to form a new habit, though some can do it in as little as 21 days. Clearly, cycle commuting ... Read more

The Lighthouse Trail

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The Lighthouse Trail cycle route overall rating: (Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to be aware of) The Lighthouse Trail is a stunning 13 mile ride along the very scenic North East coast, passing a total of seven lighthouses, as it follows the coast south. Almost all the ... Read more
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