A group of green laners, rough stuffers and folk of a relaxed persuasion based in Manchester
So we finally did it... Arranged a full two day excursion from the hustle and bustle of our home town streets to the leafy green Peaks, to celebrate Aidan's 23rd. He had somehow managed to bribe the weather so we could have a full day of riding in not-so-miserable conditions! As a crew we all …
`Ghost town´ remembering The Specials. This ride of about 30km was the last segment in a 250km bikepacking route I have been planning on the island of Zealand in Denmark. The route is made up of three local bike routes which have been connected with farm tracks, forest roads and minor roads. So this 30km …
I'm still a newbie when it comes to bikepacking – let’s make that clear from the outset! Several group adventures yes, but solo? I have just the one outing so far and that regressed rapidly from being ‘slightly-too-wild’ to sneaking onto a desolate campsite with a portaloo. A story for another day perhaps. Hence another …
2 years ago my good friend, and fellow grass up the middler, Steve Makin took on the Kiwi Brevet. The Brevet follows a 1100km route, and climbs 11000 meters in the northern part of the southern island of New Zealand. You are allotted 8 days to finish the route. The rules of the brevet are similar …
Sunday night, if ever there was a night to avoid the telly its got to be Sunday, and as is my way I am listening to music and staring at maps. Maps that are kept at the caravan and are specific to this area. These maps have green covers and were known as pathfinders, and …
Day 4, the finale! The last cycling day of our Lancashire week. A plan to penetrate the Yorkshire Dales (a favourite area of mine, too rarely visited since moving away from North East England) has been sitting in bold on our unwritten agenda and we retired the previous evening with hope, ambition and fully charged …
It's been a somewhat traumatic and hectic few weeks, with our first grandchild arriving, a busy time in the garden and a dear neighbour locked in a losing battle with cancer, so it was a blessing to get an invite from Steve to spend a few days with him on his cherished future territory 'Ynys …
Day 2 - A ride around Kielder water. Day two, and a snotty headachy start to the day... this doesn't bode well! With both of us feeling yesterdays climbing in our legs we opted for an easier day, a full fried breakfast, lots of coffee and faux faffing (faux faffing, means finding things to faff with …
Day 1. So, as has become our custom for the last few years a plan to get away in September was hatched, Sara had limited time this year so a full week of touring became two days of riding without driving to the other end of Scotland as usual. Northumberland is a place we both …
From our 'Rough Stuff Fellowship' correspondent. My mate Keith and I have cycled the middle and Easterley end of HCW, the middle was interesting (lots of forts) the Newcastle bit was the best cycling. However, in order to complete HCW we need to do the Western bit – Carlisle to Ravenglass. So we set dates, …
