Category Archives: Uncategorized

A key bit of kit for any traveler these days is the laptop. As a mountain biker, I had very specific requirements for a laptop…It had to be light and tough enough to go in my backpack while biking. I reckoned the risk of me landing on it was smaller than the risk of it being stolenContinue reading “14th January 2013”

Well this evening it all came together (in software anyway – unlike the hardware). I finally managed to get a Route uploaded into EveryTrail, then video from the Go-pro edited and uploaded into You Tube, and then the video embedded in the Everytrail map with the correct locations. And lastly the whole lot embedded intoContinue reading “5th December, 2012”

Aaaarrggghh. Just tried to attach my Aevon trailer to my new Strive today. I had not clicked that as the Strive has a dropper seat post with INTERNALLY routed cables, I can’t get the seat post out to slide on the trailer hitch. For all of you out there who own an Aevon trailer andContinue reading “1st December, 2012”

Well I have just been out for the first time on the new Strive and it is excellent. Light enough to get up the steepest slopes and enough suspension to eat up sizable rocks at high speed. I tried  it out on the Walna Scar road in Cumbria (see map). This is a pretty challengingContinue reading “24th November, 2012”

After much research and analysis, trials and testings, I decided on what bike to get for my trip. Given that I’d be doing something of everything I thought an all-mountain bike would be best. And after looking at many models specs and prices, decided there was only one choice. The Canyon Strive   I couldn’t getContinue reading “10th November, 2012”

I have found that a lot of people are interested in joining me for segments of the ride too – though none are mad enough to do the whole thing. This is quite difficult on a long ride: someone could fly into a point with their bike and ride with me for a week orContinue reading “1st October, 2012”

OMG. OMG. Just been to the Himalayas and OK the walking was good, but the real news is the water filter. We were in the back of beyond with buffalo, sheep and my mate all using the water courses as waste disposal, and we got NO illnesses. It’s a bit fiddly but has 3 filtersContinue reading “20th September, 2012”

Now the route is maturing. Thanks to my tireless PA Vicky, segments of route are being harvested from Everytrail.com, Bikemap.net and Gpsies.com. These are great resources for any epic journey. Use them. Also, have a look at these people: http://www.transandalus.org/ They have done a wonderful job of mapping out a great route around the SierraContinue reading “2nd September, 2012”

After quite a bit of research I have chosen my trailer. There were 2 wheel versions but I though they would be crap on single-track, so I have gone for the Aevon Trailers lightest version..the Kit-80. It’s got a water proof bag (supposedly) and a shock absorber on the wheel – excellent! I found IContinue reading “1st September, 2012”

Now I have started thinking about gadgets in earnest. (Girls, you may want to tune out at this stage. If you don’t want to tune out you can marry me). Before the bike comes: Trailer to take all the gear Sat Nav for location & GPX upload Water filter (yes, really) Sleeping mat & pillowsContinue reading “15th August, 2012”