If you're a blog subscriber you might not have noticed that I have a new podcast on the website called Pain and Fromage! I've set this up to gather together some of the audio that I've recorded on various trips but also to share some experiences from the road (mostly, I think from bike trips). … Continue reading Podcast: Exe Estuary to Exmoor
From the Exe Estuary to Exmoor
Rich is on his last training ride before heading to Paris! Today he is heading from Dawlish up the river Exe to Bampton, across the southern edge of Exmoor to Wellington and back south via Cullompton and Broadclyst. It's a glorious day with a bit of a headwind and there's a Chinese waiting for him … Continue reading From the Exe Estuary to Exmoor
From the Exe to Exmoor
The last week or so has flown by, and all of a sudden the Paris trip is upon us. In three weeks we’ll be exiting the French capital en route to Nice, and today was my last opportunity to train. Next week is the last one before half term - always a busy one - … Continue reading From the Exe to Exmoor
Rich and Graeme’s Paris-Nice: Prologue
This is the first episode in a series following the boys as they head south on their epic ride from Paris to Nice. With 30 days to go to the grand départ, we met for a chat about the inspiration for the idea, route planning, the essential discussion about bike tour gear and fromage du … Continue reading Rich and Graeme’s Paris-Nice: Prologue
Bike Anxiety
We now have just 40 days to go until the big trip from Paris to Nice, and I’m starting to get anxious. It’s not my fitness. I’ve worked hard this year and shed 9kg in weight, and I’m probably as fit as I’ve ever been. We have the logistics nailed, trains and ferries booked, and … Continue reading Bike Anxiety
Inspired by Adnams – my new homebrewing system
A couple of weeks ago, while on holiday in East Anglia, I took a tour of the Adnams brewery in Southwold. It was a fairly expensive tour at £30 a head, but it was excellent and the beer samples at the end were generous. In the tap room was a piece of equipment that made … Continue reading Inspired by Adnams – my new homebrewing system
The Great Eastern Pingo Trail
On camping trips, I usually enjoy planning days out walking from the campsite. In most places, there will be a couple of footpaths or bridlepaths leading out into the unknown, whether just to the next village or pub or linking into networks to take me far further afield. Our Norfolk campsite is disappointing in this … Continue reading The Great Eastern Pingo Trail
Morning out in South Norfolk
This morning, I left the family snoozing in our tent and took myself off for an early morning ride around the nearby villages. Our campsite is right next to Banham zoo and so far on our holiday it has been too cold to sit outside in the evening and enjoy the sounds emanating from the … Continue reading Morning out in South Norfolk
A Big Day Out Around Exeter
My wife, Elaine and I had one of those awkward negotiations this week. If you’re into cycling and your partner isn’t, you’ll know how it goes. ‘I fancy a big ride this weekend.’ Silence. ‘The forecast looks a bit rubbish on Friday and Saturday. Maybe I could go on one of those days so we … Continue reading A Big Day Out Around Exeter
Advancing in the Moonlight
This was a really nice feature over four pages about an overnight Audax cycling event that I rode with my friend Graeme in November. The first version appeared here on this blog and I sent in an edited version to the Audax members' magazine, Arrivée. It was published in their spring 2026 issue and I'm … Continue reading Advancing in the Moonlight