Although I have done a lot of cycling, since I was small, it took me a long time to call myself a “cyclist”. Because I cycle to get places. For me it’s a mode of transport, rather than a sport or pastime. Not to say that two wheels haven’t taken me to some very exciting places.

It all started out with cycle touring as family holidays, when I was a teenager. I wrote about it in The First Time I Went… Cycle Touring for MPora. (A piece which, incidentally, I wrote in my head whilst walking the Dartmoor Way in 2020.) Have a read, it’s not what you think it is. My parents didn’t even own bicycles until I was in my 20s.

Cycle touring is, in my opinion, one of the best ways to travel the world. It’s a lifestyle – and I love it. Since early beginnings on rented bicycles, I’ve spent 50 days cycling around Europe on a tandem and cycled from Penzance to Plymouth. In 2018, the Irish 3 Peaks ride took me on a variation of the Wild Atlantic Way, with some mountains thrown in. In 2019, I cycled the Rhine from source to sea and on into the UK as far as London. That was a hilarious ride with disaster at every turn…

For a year or so, I was cycle commuting 40 miles a day. It certainly took getting used to: at the start I would have eaten my lunch by 10am. Since I don’t own a car (although I can drive), I use cycling as my main mode of transport. Unless I’m getting there on my own two feet.

Across the interwebs, I’ve written a guide to cycle touring in Europe for MPora and 6 of the Best Bike Tours in the UK. I’ve also picked out 6 of the Best Bikepacking Routes in the UK for Much Better Adventures, as well as 6 from London. I’ve myth-busted about group cycling adventure holidays and explained How to Plan a Cycle Tour.

On the interview front, I had a wonderful chat with Laura Moss about cycle touring (with more of it here about the fear of big hills). I’ve also spoke to Sophie Gordon of Cycling UK about the West Kernow Way and its Lost Trails.

And probably much more besides! Here’s the full spread of cycling articles on the blog too…