What Camping Mat? Well, I Did Ask…

By on • ( 8 Comments )

It’s very much a first world problem but… I’ve lost count of the number of camping mats that I have bought and used over the years. I tend to swing from expensive mat (usually a Thermarest) to cheap mat (own brand Go Outdoors etc…) and back again. The issue I’ve had with Thermarest mats – especially on the long trips that I have undertaken – is that they develop blisters which make it almost impossible to have a comfortable night of ‘sleep’*. I suspect that I am overinflating them. The cheaper mats are just air and they can be quite cold.

architecture bridge building city

UK’s Top Places To Visit In 2023

By on • ( Leave a comment )

If you’re planning your travels for 2023, then you’re in luck, as the United Kingdom has plenty to offer. From the bustling cities to the tranquil countryside, England is full of amazing destinations that are sure to make your trip unforgettable. In this article, we’ll take a look at the top places to visit in Great Britain in 2023, so you can start planning your itinerary today.

The Cycling Europe Podcast: Episode 066 – Cycling On Tenerife

By on • ( Leave a comment )

A few months ago I was approached by Jet2 Holidays who asked if I would be interested in discovering the joys of cycling in one of their winter destinations in southern Europe. Of course I said yes and had a look at the map. Where would be nice and warm in the middle of February? The Canary Islands seemed the most likely place to deliver good weather so I arranged to travel to Costa Adeje on the island of Tenerife. I hired a bike and headed along the coast and up the hillsโ€ฆ This was a different approach to travelling on two wheels. How did I get on without a tent and four panniers but in a luxury hotel on an unfamiliar bicycle?

Episode 066: Cycling On Tenerife

By on • ( 5 Comments )

A few months ago I was approached by Jet2 Holidays who asked if I would be interested in discovering the joys of cycling in one of their winter destinations in southern Europe. Of course I said yes and had a look at the map. Where would be nice and warm in the middle of February? The Canary Islands seemed the most likely place to deliver good weather so I arranged to travel to Costa Adeje on the island of Tenerife. I hired a bike and headed along the coast and up the hillsโ€ฆ This was a different approach to travelling on two wheels. How did I get on without a tent and four panniers but in a luxury hotel on an unfamiliar bicycle?

a mountain bike on a snow covered ground

How To Keep Cycling Through The Winter

By on • ( 1 Comment )

Cycling is a fantastic hobby that can enrich your life in many ways, but it is also one that can be challenging to enjoy during winter. The cold temperatures, rain, wind and shorter days can make cycling not only challenging but even dangerous, but you do not have to pack your bike away during winter when you know how to manage.ย 

Returning To Le Grand Tour… In Sheffield

By on • ( 2 Comments )

In the last week there’s been a lot about Tenerife but now that I’ve returned to the UK from my short break on the Canary Islands, the focus returns to Le Grand Tour, my 5,000km cycle around France, Switzerland and then down the Rhine in the summer of 2022. Hopefully many of you will have been able to watch the series of four films that were published back in December – they are all available on the Cycling Europe YouTube Channel (see links below) – and listened to the series of podcasts that were released during the journey itself. I’ve spoken about my journey at a couple of events since returning from the continent; at the Cycle Touring Festival and then at my local Cycling UK group here in West Yorkshire. Next week, however, I’m heading south! Not too far… Just to Sheffield at the invitation of the Sheffield CTC group:

YOUTUBE EXCLUSIVE: Episode 066 Of The Cycling Europe Podcast

By on • ( 2 Comments )

A few months ago I was approached by Jet2 Holidays who asked if I would be interested in discovering the joys of cycling in one of their winter destinations in southern Europe. Of course I said yes and had a look at the map. Where would be nice and warm in the middle of February? The Canary Islands seemed the most likely place to deliver good weather so I arranged to travel to Costa Adeje on the island of Tenerife. I hired a bike and headed along the coast and up the hills… This was a different approach to travelling on two wheels. How did I get on without a tent and four panniers but in a luxury hotel on an unfamiliar bicycle?Show less

Tenerife: Day 5

By on • ( 2 Comments )

A few mindful moments just after sunrise on my final morning staying in Costa Adeje on the Spanish island of Tenerife. It’s interesting seeing how, from the perspective of the drone, the natural and man-made worlds have collided rather sharply. But at 8am there was still calm to be found before people crawl from their beds and take up position beside the pools, in the cafรฉs and bars and on the beaches…