• 10 Benefits of Cycle Touring In Europe to Inspire Your Trip

    October 12, 2014

    1. It will make you smarter Exercise is scientifically proven to stimulate your brain [1]. You will meet many more people, come across tonnes of incredibly beautiful landscapes and cultures. This will fill your mind with lots of stimulating information. 2. It will make you fitter Cycling 8 hours a day with a bicycle loaded with kit will make you fit. [2] Cycling is an excellent exercise, fantastic for cardio.

    Tags: Health benefitsBenefitsEuropeTouringCycle touringFitnessCycling

    Read more...

  • Explore Expedition Planning Weekend at the RGS 2014

    September 4, 2014

    The Explore seminar at the Royal Geographical Society is coming up in November. I contribute through conversations with people who attend conveying my experience of journeys. It is a time of reflection after journeys and a time to prepare. I used to think adventure was deciding to go into a wild place and doing a hard walk or bike ride. However, it is much deeper and personal. All true journeys are very personal.

    Tags: PlanningExpeditionsExploreEventRgs

    Read more...

  • Latest News About the Weave of the Ride Book and Cycle Touring In Europe to Keep Updated

    August 5, 2014

    Weave of the Ride is a blog about a tour across Europe I did. This blog is here because I wanted to nicely re-edit and represent. According to Google Analytics, Gear Reviews are a popular part of the blog but check out the blog posts from the road. Even though I wrote a book about the story the blog posts have that certain quality from being written from the road.

    Tags: Cycling europeWeave of the rideBook

    Read more...

  • Downhill Mountain Bike Race in Tbilisi

    July 13, 2014

    A mountain bike race was held at Mtatsminda park in Tbilisi. The location was ideal for the race because above it is a mountain with trails and then the race ended at the park where people were watching. All ages and levels could be seen participating. The only downside was the weather. It was wet and made conditions a little bit slippy.

    Tags: Tbilisi

    Read more...

  • Sakartvelos: Living in the Amazing Republic of Georgia

    July 6, 2014

    I am in the wonderful city of Tbilisi, Georgia. The first week I took an Irish guy on a challenging but fantastic one day bike tour, then two Australian tourists from Melbourne came for a week. We explored many incredible places and did some brilliant riding. The mountain biking in Georgia is superb and I’m working on mountain bike tour company Georiders out here. I have been catching up with old friends; one of which is making Champagne using artisanal methods.

    Tags: GeoridersBusinessMountainsDigital nomadTravelMountain bikingGeorgiaAdventure

    Read more...

  • On-One Inbred (26 inch wheel version) Frame Review - My Thoughts on this Classic Steel Frame

    May 5, 2014

    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 Mountain Biking Routes in The Republic of Georgia The Only Man to Cycle from Stoke Albany to Kathmandu Prepare, Pack, Pedal: A Practical Guide to Bicycle Touring The On One Inbred Frame - ebay affiliate link is a steel mountain bike frame designed for British trail cross country riding.

    Tags: Steel is realSteel framePlanet-xInbredOn oneTouring bikeMountain bikeBikeFrame

    Read more...

  • Encouraging Quotes 4

    February 3, 2014

    Napolean Bonapart The only one who is wiser than anyone is everyone Mahatma Gandhi Strength does not come from physical capacity, it comes from imdomitable will Lyndon Baines Johnson If we are to live together in peace we must come to know each other better Augustus Caesar Hasten Slowly John Fitzgeral Kennedy If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherver it takes him

    Tags: QuotesMotivationInspiration

    Read more...

  • Discover How the Oakley Radar Cycling Sunglasses Stood Up To A 3 Year Adventure Tour

    January 29, 2014

    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 cycling-specific sunglasses. Features / Benefits Radar® features an interchangeable lens Hydrophobic™, anti-static lens coating repels water, skin oils and debris (lens coating that prevents water from leaving streaks and sheens - Skin oils, fingerprints and lotions are easily wiped ) The frame architecture creates a cooling flow of air Impact Protection The materials and geometries of Oakley eyewear provide unsurpassed protection against impact.

    Tags: OakleySunglasses

    Read more...

  • Prepare, Pack, Pedal: A Practical Guide to Bicycle Touring

    January 9, 2014

    A year ago, I realised I had written so much to help people plan their bicycle tours on my blog but it was all on blog posts I thought it could be made more accessible. I decided to rewrite and extend the posts into a guidebook. The book is organised into sections. There is advice on how to prepare your trip when you don’t have a lot of free-time to do so and might need some motivation.

    Tags: Cycle touringPrepare-pack-pedalEbookBookCycling

    Read more...

  • Craghoppers Classic Kiwi Trousers - Live in Trousers for Your Bicycle Travels

    December 10, 2013

    These hiking trousers from Craghoppers are lightweight, quick-drying, and comfortable. They consist of sun-protective fabric, stain proof and water repellent fabric. Features 8 pockets including OS map-sized cargo pocket and zipped security pockets Reinforced knee and seat Part elasticated waist for comfort fit Mobile phone holder SmartDry nano water-repellent finish Belt included Heel tape SolarDry 40+ UPF fabric Polyester Cotton These trousers are ideal for taking on a bike tour as you can wear them on and off the bike.

    Tags: TrousersCraghoppersReview

    Read more...

  • Between Worlds: The Promise of The Road - Cycling to India Book Released

    November 26, 2013

    My new book which covers my cycle journey onward from Georgia, through Iran, Pakistan, India, Nepal, and a separate trip to Mongolia, as well as a jaunt back to London overland with a fresh perspective to pick up visas, is finished. Working with another great editor we’ve been through the text four times; its eighteen longer chapters compared to the shorter chapters in ‘Weave of the Ride’ and the content is a progression from the travel narrative and the ‘throwing yourself into a big adventure’ themes of the first book.

    Tags: Andrew welchReleaseBetween worldsCycle touringBookCycling placesWriting

    Read more...

  • Middleburn 32T Hardcoat Chainring Long Term Review

    November 20, 2013

    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 proved to be problematic even causing the chain to slip once it had completely worn out. I considered ways I could mitigate this. I wanted something that would be light but also tough. A steel chainring would potentially add weight but be more durable whereas an aluminium chainring would perhaps be lighter but wear out more quickly.

    Tags: ComponentsChainringMountain biking

    Read more...