In a survival situation what do you need in a “grab-and-go” kitbag. Here are some essentials that you might need. Sleeping If you are …

Looking for gifts for cyclists? Why not try these items (or similar): Winter Cycling Gloves: dhb Windslam Stretch Cycling Gloves Some warm gloves for …

I just came across this article and thought it linked nicely to my previous post about whether to buy cheap or expensive clothes (and where those …

For an any outdoor trip you should take a basic first aid kit. Here are list of essentials with a focus on cycling. Antibiotic / hydrocortisone …

This is a part II of a summary of an article I found interesting in the Times newspaper (28/10/17) about the book, How to Stay Alive: The Ultimate …

This is a part I of a summary of an article I found interesting in the Times newspaper (28/10/17) about the book, How to Stay Alive: The Ultimate …

Cedric Gracia Is a French mountain biking legend. 50to1 (Josh Bryceland etc) Is a world cup winning mountain biker from the north of the UK GMBN …

What is the best time of the year to go? Anytime. Tanzania has a wet season from March-May and short rains October. It’s hottest in Jan/Feb. …

What is a drone? An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, unmanned aircraft system (UAS), or by several other names, is an …

Google Cardboard is a virtual reality (VR) platform developed by Google for use with a head mount for a smartphone. Named for its fold-out cardboard …

There are many techniques for decision making that are based around list making and weighing up pros and cons, but this ‘left brain’ way of thinking …

There are many videos on Youtube with inspirational content. Here is a selection I’ve put together for you. Video has a unique way of quickly …

This page displays a table of bikes that I have reviewed or included in the bike reviews section with links back to the articles. From this list you …

Bikepacking Scotland ‘06 takes you on an unforgettable journey through the rugged landscapes of Scotland. This book chronicles an epic …

After I finished my cycle tours across Europe and Asia, I organised all my research and planning into a guidebook, including route choice, equipment, …

This page displays a table of bikes that I have reviewed or included in the bike reviews section with links back to the articles. From this list you …

Blackburn Whyte gravel bike with Blackburn Outpost range of bikepacking bags. Altura Charge Plug with Altura waterproof Bikepacking luggage range. …

Yesterday I went to the Cycle Show at the Birmingham NEC to check out all the new bikes and try out mountain bikes and e-bikes. It was a good trip and …

Adventure Travel Show in London 2011. I was representing at this show, and enjoying some fine chat about adventures.

In a survival situation what do you need in a “grab-and-go” kitbag. Here are some essentials that you might need. Sleeping If you are …

EUROBIKE happens each year in Friedrichshafen, Germany to showcase premieres of new bike kit, the latest trends and ideas. From it’s early …

I have always found bike touring to be an intensely personal and introspective endeavour. Journeys with companions have been a lot of fun, and I …

This is an interview I did recently with Charles Denby, Geography student from Kings College, London. What do you think maps do? I think that maps can …

This is an interview I did with Brian Dixon in 2013 - a conversation whilst walking around Camden. Interview Questions (3.0) Age: 30 Gende R: Male …

I contacted Goat from the ridingthespine.com because I was planning to do a similar trip. Goat and two friends rode the Great Divide Mountain bike …

Last year, in June, in Tbilisi, I was walking in ‘The Hippodrome’, which is a recreational area from Soviet times for shows and events. I decided to …

Andrew Ranville is an artist who I met through the Royal Geographical Society Explore Weekend displaying his projects in the ‘Communicating your …

I recently began following Tim Moss on his website The Next Challenge which aims to help people to be more adventurous in their everyday lives. I find …

I have always found bike touring to be an intensely personal and introspective endeavour. Journeys with companions have been a lot of fun, and I …

In a survival situation what do you need in a “grab-and-go” kitbag. Here are some essentials that you might need. Sleeping If you are …

Richard Holland is a designer and artist who lives in Sweden. I spoke to him briefly over email about his most recent project, the Floda 31 art …

There is a hugely popular app game from Nintendo out called Pokemon Go. It topped the app store download chart on both iPhone’s App Store and …

Thank you for your interest in getting in touch. You can reach me through Linkedin.

I started blogging in 2005 to document my bicycle travels. Over time it evolved as my travels concluded and studies and work in a technology career …

This post from the Culturium is on the topic of Rousseau’s “Meditations of a Solitary Walker”. Rousseau’s “Meditations …

I was lent this book recently after striking up a conversation about The Tipping Point and my friend had read it and also recommended this book. …

Originally posted on Slowquest in 2011. David Byrne’s primary mode of city transport during his career as a musician and artist is a bicycle. In …

Looking for gifts for cyclists? Why not try these items (or similar): Winter Cycling Gloves: dhb Windslam Stretch Cycling Gloves Some warm gloves for …

I wanted the smallest, lightest possible roll mat, and this one fit the bill at the right price. A good product recommended. After much research this …

I bought this charger to both charge batteries and back up my other charging capabilities. It worked well but I think I needed to do more to get the …

Charging setup laid out before going hiking in Spain see above. Gopro Hero Black Edition Portapow AA charger Portapow Solar Panel 11W iPhone 5 Life …

Folding bikes offer additional flexibility as they can be packed up and put on a kayak or inflatable boat for example. Storage is the main benefit, …

In a survival situation what do you need in a “grab-and-go” kitbag. Here are some essentials that you might need. Sleeping If you are …

Giro HV Giro HV are the wide versions of Giro Shoes. Check out the Privateer. Shimano wide-fit Shimano do wide fitting versions of their shoes/boots. …

Solar Storm 3 lamp bicycle light is the light I use on my commuter bike and for mountain biking. It is a metal-cased multi-LED light with a …

Tested on a multi-day hike in Spain carrying enough food and water for 3 days. The pack was my choice after doing of plenty of online and in-shop …

I bought this solar panel after doing considerable research on options that were out there. At the time (2013) there were a few options but most of …

I bought these from Sports Direct. They seemed to offer the same spec as much pricier alternatives. I used them for every day over 8 days on a hike. …

I used the Gopro Hero 3 Black Edition on a walking trip in Spain. I was attracted to the wide angle lense because I was shooting footage along a …

I was looking for a new mountain bike. I went to the cycle show last year, searched online and checked out local bike shops regularly. At first I was …

The Diadora X-Country mountain biking shoes with SPD cleats are a budget to mid-range shoe that performs well under most conditions and are durable. …

I was looking for some ways to strap stuff onto my bike. I started searching “bikepacking straps”. This is a thing, but the straps are …

ebay listing Very good condition. Frame has a few minor paint scuffs from use. Bought as new from previous owner. I’ve used it for a recent …

Sometimes steel frames and older frames use a 27.2 (inner diameter) seatpost size. Many newer frames don’t and therefore dropper seatposts for …

I just came across this article and thought it linked nicely to my previous post about whether to buy cheap or expensive clothes (and where those …

I’ve been a fan of Doom Bar for a while and saw this slightly stronger beer from the same brewer. “Sea Fury” and it’s …

A seatpost bag seems like an excellent way to add luggage space where there is already a fair amount of weight (my backside). But in all seriousness, …

This bike light was given to me by Emily Chappell. On receiving it, I thought it looked awesome because it was large and had multiple LEDS. Company …

Power banks are used for providing portable power to charge battery powered items like mobile phones and other similar items that have a USB …

I regularly follow a news thread called Hacker News and this was a post that I saw on there recently about the experience of building up an electric …

This post from the Culturium is on the topic of Rousseau’s “Meditations of a Solitary Walker”. Rousseau’s “Meditations …

Before you read the article, have you seen my books? Please check them out. Thanks! 10 Lessons Learnt from Cycling to Mongolia and Other Travels …

Fuji Touring 2016 Touring Bike The Fuji Touring was one of the first mass produced touring bikes ever put on the market, and it’s one of the few …

This is a part I of a summary of an article I found interesting in the Times newspaper (28/10/17) about the book, How to Stay Alive: The Ultimate …

E-bikes are the future, undoubtedly. They are still quite expensive to buy but prices will come down. In the mean time there is also the DIY option. …

I reviewed an electric tour bike earlier this year and was pleasantly surprised by its power and build quality. I decided to take this one step …

I tried this bike out along with a number of other e-bikes at the National Cycle Show at the NEC in Birmingham. The test involved riding a section of …

Blackburn Whyte gravel bike with Blackburn Outpost range of bikepacking bags. Altura Charge Plug with Altura waterproof Bikepacking luggage range. …

Mondraker Podium Carbon Pro Tech Spec Highlights Frame: Podium 29er Stealth Air Carbon, redesigned internal structure , Integrated Stem Technology …

Yesterday I went to the Cycle Show at the Birmingham NEC to check out all the new bikes and try out mountain bikes and e-bikes. It was a good trip and …

A troll is a class of being in Norse mythology and Scandinavian folklore. In Old Norse sources, beings described as trolls dwell in isolated rocks, …

Tech Spec Highlights Full dynamo light set up Burly Reynolds 725 frameset Full Tiagra 3x10 groupset Front and rear Tubus racks Tech Spec Frame: …

This is a beer I discovered quite recently and has become one of my favourites. Brewery: Oakham Ales Oakham Ales is an English brewery now based in …

Perry’s book focuses on the under-appreciate topic of what constitutes male identity in these times. Grayson Perry is an artist who is known for …

I was lent this book recently after striking up a conversation about The Tipping Point and my friend had read it and also recommended this book. …

On first look you might think a dropper seatpost is another gimmick for bikers with too much spare cash. However, out riding recently with others with …

Mountain biking tyres A list of links from research I did about buying mountain bike tyres. These are quite old now, but I still recommend Maxxis …

After I finished my cycle tours across Europe and Asia, I organised all my research and planning into a guidebook, including route choice, equipment, …

This post started as research for comfortable shoes city exploring in London and Tbilisi. The criteria was lightweight, durable and able to wear in …

Bought to use for mountain bike guiding. Pros Solid construction Work well Easy to charge with stand Cons Batteries wear out too quickly If batteries …

Bought to track route on cycle tour Pros Rugged design Accurate Reliable Feature packed Cons AA batteries run out too quick Not user friendly …

Purely a list of steel bike frames - mtb and touring to be updated as and when. MTB Stanton Slackline Stanton on ebay Pipedream Pipedream on ebay …

Since I went to Scouts as a child I always had an interest in survival skills. Perhaps its the doomsday outlook about the future in the media or the …

Look Mum No Hands Cycle Cafe 49 Old Street, EC1V 9HX Combining a cafe, a bicycle workshop, a bar, and exhibition space. Coffee comes from local …

Surfing is an idyllic activity - sun, sand, waves, culture and there are many superb documentaries out there. Here is a selection for you. Step into …

What is a drone? An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, unmanned aircraft system (UAS), or by several other names, is an …

Soundmagic E50S High-purity copper windings and aluminium casings both help improve detail and reduce distortion. The 10mm drive units provide an …

I was lucky enough to meet the Kone family because they contacted Georiders to create a bespoke mountain bike tour in the Republic of Georgia. Mike …

This army poncho was purchase from eBay. Features Issued to British troops up until the late 90’s 58 pattern poncho design Draw cord on hood …

8 speed is recommended for touring because the chain is wider and both the chain and cassette block should last longer. Which shifters are the best …

A zoom lens offering a high zoom ratio with magnification of 11.1x Features Zoom lock switch Compact Silent Wave Motor (SWM) Built-in Vibration …

A quick blast on the Canyon mountain bikes website reveals this mad machine - the Canyon Dude - a kind of fatbike, hardtail mountain bike with …

QUECHUA Forclaz 22 Air Day travel Backpack Quechua are the budget option but usually well made and good value for money. Designed for day hiking in …

Shimano XTR back in 2007 used to be highest end version of Shimano mountain bike drivetrain products. The question I had was should I used XT or XTR …

MSR DragonFly Stove The MSR DragonFly Stove is a multi fuel stove which can burn any liquid fuel including diesel. Feature / benefits Dual-valve for …

The Ultimate choice for travellers when heel clearance is an issue. The lower mounting point of bags improves the centre of gravity and also …

Mobile phone cases are important as phones are expensive and can be susceptible to getting damaged in daily use. There are many options available to …

Technical details Intended Use: Mountain 32 or 36 Hole 6-Bolt Disc Compatible J-Bend Spoke Type 135mm Rear Hub Spacing Claimed Weight-495g Non-Drive …

A voice recorder is a good option if you want to make notes on the move. The Olympus WS-210S is a device I used. Features Professional-grade digital …

Since writing this article, Airbnb have been in the news because governments have been cracking down the rules about renting out private space (Update …

Hiking shoes. Whats the best brand? Meindl Meindl are based in Germany. Their shoes sit at the higher end of the market similar to Lowa. They partner …

Grips are an often overlooked but important part of a bike set up and one of the main contact points on a bike. Some of the body weight is distributed …

On my quest to find the ultimate all round shoe I felt that the answer might be a trail running shoe. My search however, took a twist, as I decided …

Sealskinz military socks are thick, sturdy and meant to be waterproof. Having previously owned a pair of Sealskinz waterproof socks I was interested …

This is a guest post by Lee Firman - an adventurer and entrepreneur who runs a company called Feetus. The Trek Ascent was released by Vibram …

EUROBIKE happens each year in Friedrichshafen, Germany to showcase premieres of new bike kit, the latest trends and ideas. From it’s early …

The Surly Ogre’s name perhaps doesn’t give the bike the right image or the image that it needs. Ogres are usually ugly and trudge about …

Vibram are a company that are known for making high quality rubber soles for all kinds of shoes, but can be found on many kinds of hiking shoes. They …

Most handlebars for mountain bikes are either flat: or what is known as a riser bar where the bar rises at an angle from the centre point: Backsweep …

I like sleeping outside. If you are going to be able to find trees to strap a hammock between or staying at a camp with these conditions, a hammock is …

Originally posted on Slowquest in 2011. David Byrne’s primary mode of city transport during his career as a musician and artist is a bicycle. In …

I recently visited Oakham Cycles to test ride the Surly Long Haul Trucker. I wanted to check it out because it is a go-to bike, good value, used and …

You might be more likely to find this headlamp in a hardware store than an outdoor shop. However, this lamp ticks many of the boxes in the search for …

I recently came across an excellent resource on cyclingabout.com. It is amazing the level of research that has gone into the list. The number of …

Having really liked the New Balance MT10 barefoot running shoes in the wide fit, I wanted to find a similar pair when they were discontinued. I was …

The Crosso Dry 60 is a set of bicycle panniers designed for adventure touring. They have a sealed and welded closure to prevent against mud and water …

Adventure films inspire and motivate. They show amazing landscapes, places and countries around the world. We get close to the character who has to …

These are some of my favourite pieces of equipment for mountain biking that I have owned and rigorously put to the test. 1. A good bag. The Osprey …

The Weather Makers A series of essays about the consequences of global warming. It looks into the knock on effects of rising carbon dioxide levels …

When it comes to footwear, wisdom wins over extreme preparation unless you are really doing something severe or will be doing the same activity for …

My favourite piece of gear over the last couple of years has been my Fivefingers Treksport shoes from Vibram. I have been using them regularly mainly …

Before you read the article, have you seen my books? Please check them out. Thanks! 10 Lessons Learnt from Cycling to Mongolia and Other Travels …

A good pair of sunglasses are essential if you are cycling to protect your eyes from dirt, dust and the sun. This is my review of the Oakley Radar …

These hiking trousers from Craghoppers are lightweight, quick-drying, and comfortable. They consist of sun-protective fabric, stain proof and water …

Upon kitting out my long distance touring bike I knew from past experience that I tended to wear out middle chainrings faster. A worn chainring had …

This sock was sponsored by a company for Ride Earth. It contains a yarn called Marfil which apparently is very good at wicking away moisture so your …

I managed to get a pair of these beauties sponsored from Chain Reaction Cycles. They are a hiking-style boot with a solid sole for riding efficiency. …

A base layer is a really important item of clothing as it sits next to your skin. Having a long sleeve base layer is good in the winter, and can be …

Some people don’t like tents and prefer to sleep under a shelter or just in a protective breathable ‘bivvy’ bag. However, there are …

A really useful item for travelling overland is a good multi-tool. Gerber and Leatherman are the main brands. The blast is a lightweight, …

Before I had any experience of travel I had no idea what a Buff was and when we were sponsored by Buff they sent us about 12 of them featuring …

This post is one of a series about Adventure Cycle Touring that formed part of the foundation for my ebook Prepare Pack Pedal. It is ideal if your …

The Carradice Super C panniers are well-regarded as being long lasting and reliable and are a common choice for the long distance cyclist. Features: …

The Chris King Headset is well-regarded as one of the best on the market. I bought a Chris King Headset because of the rave reviews and general …

The Extrawheel single wheel trailer (Voyager Model - in the shot below) is a bicycle trailer from polish manufacturer Extrawheel. It features a welded …

The Brooks Chamption Flyer Saddle is a leather, steel sprung saddle from Brooks. It is meant for touring and trekking use. Features Length: 275mm …

The Kona Caldera (2008) is a strong cross country frame with good handling. I hadn’t heard of the Kona Caldera before I picked this frame up. It …

Are you looking for a mountain bike frame that you can use for adventure cycling? Do you like Kona bikes? Do you have a penchant for niche steel …

Magura are not the longest players in the mountain bike fork market but in recent years, their models are at the forefront of the competition. …

The Sun-Ringle Rhyno Lite rim (my version built in 2007) is a heavy duty mountain bike rim. I researched these rims before leaving on my first bike …

The Schwalbe Marathon XR was the obvious choice for a long distance tour (at the time of choosing in 2007), used by most other adventure cyclists to …

Music has the awesome ability to change a mood in a second. Technology has democratised access to music as well as, to some extent, the production of …

Since I went to Scouts as a child I always had an interest in survival skills. Perhaps its the doomsday outlook about the future in the media or the …

Google Cardboard is a virtual reality (VR) platform developed by Google for use with a head mount for a smartphone. Named for its fold-out cardboard …

Since writing this article, Airbnb have been in the news because governments have been cracking down the rules about renting out private space (Update …

There is a hugely popular app game from Nintendo out called Pokemon Go. It topped the app store download chart on both iPhone’s App Store and …

The Raspberry Pi (/paɪ/) is a series of small single-board computers developed in the United Kingdom by the Raspberry Pi Foundation to promote …

Elon Musk Elon Musk is a well known tech engineer and entreprenuer. His company Tesla deals with solar energy, batteries and electric cars. Here is a …

Cedric Gracia Is a French mountain biking legend. 50to1 (Josh Bryceland etc) Is a world cup winning mountain biker from the north of the UK GMBN …

I used to commute to work on a longboard and got into Skateboarding again recently. I starting watching some Youtube videos and came across this …

After I finished my cycle tours across Europe and Asia, I organised all my research and planning into a guidebook, including route choice, equipment, …

There is a hugely popular app game from Nintendo out called Pokemon Go. It topped the app store download chart on both iPhone’s App Store and …

Google Cardboard is a virtual reality (VR) platform developed by Google for use with a head mount for a smartphone. Named for its fold-out cardboard …

Combine Josh Bryceland, Phil Atwill, Brendan Fairclough and a bunch of other riders. Add in some wintery British slopes and you’ve got yourself a …

Cedric Gracia Is a French mountain biking legend. 50to1 (Josh Bryceland etc) Is a world cup winning mountain biker from the north of the UK GMBN …

I used to commute to work on a longboard and got into Skateboarding again recently. I starting watching some Youtube videos and came across this …

There are many techniques for decision making that are based around list making and weighing up pros and cons, but this ‘left brain’ way of thinking …