Thoughts Around Sustainability in Everyday Cycling
In which it can be demonstrated that the future belongs to the unwashed riders of old steel fixed-wheel bicycles... Read more »
Stories of person-powered life and adventures by bicycle and sea kayak, at home and further afield. Car-independent life in Cornwall, UK, and longer, thoughtful journeys by bike in mostly high and empty places. There is also street photography, if you like that sort of thing.
Recently
Spring Bunny
When defined solely in terms of riding, despite being limited to the narrow confines of the far west, the past year has been an unexpectedly rich one; I explored new trails,... Read more »
Carn Galva etc
The closest thing to a summit here in the far west is probably Carn Galva, a granite outcrop on the Penwith moor, just a bit west of Zennor, a mere 827ft... Read more »
Favourites
Project: Big Fat Dummy Fenders
A workshop project to make a set of laminated wooden mudguards for my Surly Big Fat Dummy. Made from a blend of oak and smoked red gum with home-made brass and stainless steel fittings. They look cool and are a more sustainable solution than moulding composites. Read more »
Wayfarer Centenary Ride, and weekend
A weekend in north Wales with the Rough Stuff Fellowship, in honour of the centenary of Wayfarer's snow-bound crossing of the Berwyn Mountains. Read more »
Dia de la Bandera – A Photo Essay
Street photography from Dia de la Bandera (Flag Day) in the town of Espinar, high in the Andes of southern Peru. Read more »
South to Mingulay and Beyond
A Hebridean sea kayak journey from the Isle of Barra south to Mingulay and Barra Head. Towering cliffs, cathedral-like caves, and camping on remote... Read more »
The Hindustan-Tibet Highway
Winding it's way northeast through the Himalayas of Himachel Pradesh, the rough, landslide-prone Hindustan-Tibet Highway is an engineering marvel and makes for a great... Read more »
Close to Home
Spring Bunny
When defined solely in terms of riding, despite being limited to the narrow confines of the far west, the past year has been an unexpectedly rich one; I explored new trails, discovered stories I might otherwise never have known, and stitched together routes that likewise may never have happened. Read more »
Carn Galva etc
The closest thing to a summit here in the far west is probably Carn Galva, a granite outcrop on the Penwith moor, just a... Read more »
Dawn Pastels & Cornish Trees
It turns out these things might have a life of their own after all; pictures and ramblings to wrap up 2020, a new year... Read more »
Wiggle Room
Although geographically constrained by the ocean, the far west of Cornwall has a great deal of "wiggle room" - opportunities to use a bicycle... Read more »
October
October in Cornwall is very much a month of transition as the trails turn to slop, and, as the early season storms sweep in... Read more »
On the Road Again
The Empty Quarter… Laraos to Huancavelica
Technically “The Empty Quarter” applies to the Rub’ al Khali desert on the Arabian Peninsula, however I’m going to use a little creative license and use it to describe the last few days on my bike from Laraos; it could equally apply to parts of Bolivia and the Puna de Atacama in northern Chile and Argentina so I reserve the right to use it again. As usual I’ll use pictures rather then a tedious narrative to … Read more »
Mostly Buenos Aires
Some street photography from Buenos Aires and Villa Mercedes to wrap up seven months of bicycle travel from Peru. Read more »
The End of the Road
A medium-sized provincial town deep in the heart of Argentina, about 700km west of Buenos Aires, may seem like an odd place to end... Read more »
Córdoba Streets
Thought I’d sling up a few impressions of Córdoba city. It’s alright; colourful, busy, good icecream. I’ll say goodbye to friends here this evening... Read more »
Cerro Aspero
To my mind one of the greatest things about a bicycle is the ease with which it enables new friendships and shared adventures. The... Read more »
Street Photography
Bikepacking with the Fuji X-System
An overview of the Fuji X-series camera gear I use for bikepacking adventures at home and overseas. Primarily motivated by street photography, my bag currently contains an X100F or an X-Pro 2 with a small selection of prime lenses. Read more »
Mostly Street
A new home for my portfolio of street photography from around the world. Mostly featuring the high Andes, there is however a sprinkling of... Read more »
Mostly Buenos Aires
Some street photography from Buenos Aires and Villa Mercedes to wrap up seven months of bicycle travel from Peru. Read more »
Córdoba Streets
Thought I’d sling up a few impressions of Córdoba city. It’s alright; colourful, busy, good icecream. I’ll say goodbye to friends here this evening... Read more »
Sea Kayaking
South to Mingulay and Beyond
A Hebridean sea kayak journey from the Isle of Barra south to Mingulay and Barra Head. Towering cliffs, cathedral-like caves, and camping on remote island beaches. Read more »
Prussia Cove Permadrizzle
Drizzly, atmospheric winter conditions for a quick sea kayak spin up the coast for some swelly rock-hopping around Cudden... Read more »
North Penwith Cliffs
A mid-summer sea kayak micro adventure along the north coast of Penwith. Read more »
Dolphins etc
It has been a while since I posted anything of a sea kayaking flavour; when I have been out... Read more »
Bikes and Gear
Chough Stuff, an Intro
Having been stopped along the trail by interested folk, and gently nagged about making them available, here is an introduction to the Puffin Burrow seatpack, and the Chough Stuff brand. Made in Cornwall and all that ;-) Read more »
Surly Cross Check
It's been in the Surly Catalogue for more than 20 years, what possible relevance could the venerable Cross Check still have in a world of modern adventure and gravel bikes...? That would depend on you, here's mine. Read more »
Project: Big Fat Dummy Fenders
A workshop project to make a set of laminated wooden mudguards for my Surly Big Fat Dummy. Made from a blend of oak and smoked red gum with home-made brass and stainless steel fittings. They look cool and are a more sustainable solution than moulding composites. Read more »
Surly Big Fat Dummy
My Surly Big Fat Dummy.. a supertanker of a cargo bike that has proven to be way more fun loaded, and unloaded, than I could ever have imagined. Read more »
Spiti & Kinnaur
Spiti etc
Bikepacking through the stupendous Spiti Valley in the Indian Himalaya, as part of a two-wheeled exploration of the Spiti and Kinnaur Valleys. Read more »
Post-Himalayan Apathy…
It’s always ‘challenging’ returning home after a decent adventure but this time seems to have been, or rather ‘is’, particularly difficult. All I can... Read more »
A little bit of Delhi
I had a little bit of time in Delhi… I found street photography quite difficult. Despite the obvious potential it is the sort of... Read more »
The Hindustan-Tibet Highway
Winding it's way northeast through the Himalayas of Himachel Pradesh, the rough, landslide-prone Hindustan-Tibet Highway is an engineering marvel and makes for a great... Read more »
Transitions…
I’m really happy, got my Inner Line Permit. It had been on my mind a little because I kept hearing and reading all sorts... Read more »