Crossing Iceland: Godafoss to Nyidalur
Apologies. This post is a long one, but it’s one that I’ve been piecing together for a while, and it seems that there is rather a lot to say (too much to subject a reader to in a single post). At a glance, it’s an account of a crossing, by bicycle, of the Icelandic interior, which is neither a superhuman feat in itself, nor especially … Continue reading Crossing Iceland: Godafoss to Nyidalur
A Complete Guide to Cycle Touring
Originally posted on The Wandering Nomads:
How To Begin 1) Buy (or acquire) a bike. 2) Pick a direction. 3) Go. It’s as simple as that. You will figure out what foods work best for you once you hit the road, just as you will figure out how amazing people are once you experience your first homestay with a stranger. Cycle touring is one of… Continue reading A Complete Guide to Cycle Touring
Cairngorm Cloud Giants
There are mountains, and then there are mountains. Ever since I first picked up a crayon, drew a triangle and gave it a wavy snowline halfway down (very funny, but no it wasn’t last week), I’ve been repeatedly amazed by the innumerable shapes, characters and idiosyncrasies of the many groups of mountains that are crammed into our little island. They change almost as quickly as … Continue reading Cairngorm Cloud Giants
Bicycling Iceland
Storytime from Annie about that time we went pedalling in Vikingland. Continue reading Bicycling Iceland
British Cycling MTB Leader L3 assessment
Things are changing in the heady world of UK mountain bike leadership… With new qualifications, new remit limitations and acronyms breeding like rabbits; anyone could be forgiven for wondering what exactly it all means, and whether ‘TTPP’ is a cream used to treat embarrassing rashes. If that sounds familiar (the questions, not the rash), then read on for a brief explanation of the current choice … Continue reading British Cycling MTB Leader L3 assessment
A Packrafting Apprenticeship
Packrafting? That’s floating about on one of those rubber dinghies from Argos and then going camping isn’t it? As far as I was concerned that was pretty much the sum of it, until recently anyway. Andy and Rob at Backcountryboating are on a mission to educate the un-buoyant masses though, one landlubber at a time. Is it a souped-up lilo, or is it a 2kg, … Continue reading A Packrafting Apprenticeship
Shimano Epic Enduro – the return of XXXC
Sometime in the spring of 2014 an unusual bike race crossed my attention – it was in the south of France, was called the ‘Epic Enduro’ and had stats to make your legs tingle. 90km, 4,300m of climbing and thousands of metres of special-stage descending on natural, rocky trails. I saw some very pretty photos online, and thought about for a moment. “Sod it, I’m … Continue reading Shimano Epic Enduro – the return of XXXC
Aonach Eagach
This time last year we thought it would be great to tick off a classic ridge walk and traverse among the rafters of Glencoe along the Aonach Eagach.Instead of a dream day out, I forgot my entire rucksack, Annie’s van broke down and when we arrived there was no snow anyway. Nil points. One year later we found the day that never happened, and the … Continue reading Aonach Eagach
Learning to Telemark…
Living in Aviemore, it seems that every man and his dog have a pair of skis. On rare days when both snow and low winds arrive in tandem, if you’re not there then you are very square indeed, with the ski hill selling out tickets fast, and smug tourers skinning up the edges of the ski area to explore the wider Cairngorm plateau. What with … Continue reading Learning to Telemark…
Video: Follow the Waves
It’s nearly the shortest day of the year, so here’s a short film from back in the longest days of summer. It’s about hopping across the water to Scotland’s Western Isles, following the waves, searching for trails and camping on empty beaches. Roll on summer! Follow the Waves from Topofests on Vimeo. Continue reading Video: Follow the Waves
Topofests 