Every year, the Tour de France seizes quiet corners of the country and recreates scenes reminiscent of a refugee camp with lycra. After a peaceful week grovelling up the cols of the Pyrenees, we entered the nothing-town of Mouilleron-Saint-Germain which, for that morning, was the centre of the cycling universe. This little village was barely … More The Best Col You’ve Never Heard Of
In sickness and in health – to be really into a hobby is a form of sickness that keeps you healthy. It’s undeniable that time spent outdoors climbing, walking and riding is healthy. But then there’s the sickness that comes with it; a condition that my wife has been amicably tolerating (mostly) and reluctantly nursing … More What My Wife Puts Up With
Earlier this year I had a job interview with an online cycling magazine. It was halfway through the interview that I realised I hadn’t got the job. When asked about their style and target audience, I answered correctly that they are “focused on new kit and tech” and crucially, “readers have disposable income”. My income … More A Cheapskate’s Guide To Cycling Kit
Like a proficient driver, a good road cyclist can read the traffic and predict events before they happen. This is mostly down to a familiarity with road layout and traffic movement. The best road cyclists however add another element to the equation – the type of car people are driving. After recently reading a blog … More Cars To Watch Out For – A Road Cyclist’s Guide
To refer to the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix as bone-rattling or teeth-chattering is to assume that you have any bones or teeth left once you’ve submitted to them. Indeed, riders can be left with teeth resembling the disconcertingly spaced cobblestones with cavernous voids between each unit, or with a body feeling as fragile and hollow as … More Paris-Roubaix – From Cycling Fan to Fanatic
“Going once, going twice … Sold, for fifty pounds!” “Shit.” I collected the medley of rust with two wheels that called itself a bike and thought, “What the hell have I just bought?” Auctions suck you in. One minute you have all your faculties and no intention of spending more than £20 on something you … More What The Hell Have I Just Bought?
Scaling mountains can be viewed as a basic chasing of chemical rushes; adrenaline, endorphins and dopamine all giving that pleasurable sensation that we as humans love and ultimately life for. Climbing is also a sport of higher pleasures and has produced a wealth of outstanding literature about endeavours made in pursuit of that hit. At … More Good Fun Versus A Good Story – The Types Of Fun
With the notable exception of the Isle of Man, no man is an island. All of my mountain experiences have been shared with a ragtag clan of like-minded individuals who I believe deserve a mention. The Motivator If it had not been for Matt, I would not be here today and instead be smashed to … More My Mountain Family
Ever wondered why a very reasonable person can get behind the wheel of a car and become a complete degenerate? The roads do funny things to people, as does the illusion of separation created by being in a private alloy bubble. Road rage is not a new phenomenon, there are courses on it (tackling road … More Seeing Red – Anger and Antipathy on Two Wheels
It’s deep winter, early in the morning, and despite the apparent lack of daylight it’s time to go to work. Outside it’s the kind of temperature where Pingu sticks his head out of his igloo and thinks he might give it a miss today. The music in viral pass-the-parcel has stopped on you, so … More The Joys of Winter Cycle Commuting
London Outdoorsman 