Summary of day two's ride, recorded at Plouider the following morning. 3:02 It was a bleak night. The rain beat down periodically on the metal shutters like a thousand tiny hammers, and was soon joined in the percussion session by the loud dripping of a drainpipe onto metal. I shuffled uncomfortably on my thin pillow … Continue reading Tour of Brittany Day Two: Brest to Plouider
Tour of Brittany 2025 Day One: Roscoff to Brest
Distance 149.3km, 2117m ascent 'Monkey Tennis': an audio summary of the day's ride, recorded from Plouider later in the trip (3:42). Friday night and it was raining in Brest. It was only about 9 pm, but the heavy atmosphere made it seem later. The streets were deserted and anyone with an ounce of sense was … Continue reading Tour of Brittany 2025 Day One: Roscoff to Brest
Tour of Brittany 2025 – the Prologue
Ready for the off, in my Ned Boulting yellow jumper Listen to an audio version of this post! Welcome to day one of bike tour! Well, I suppose it’s the prologue, really. First day of our annual cycling trip to France and just on my way to meet Graeme in a few minutes at Stover … Continue reading Tour of Brittany 2025 – the Prologue
Cycling the Dorset Coast Audax
This blog post is available as an audio file via the player above - simply click to play the audio, and please excuse the large number of 'um's and 'you know's. It's all a bit of an experiment! This year, my friend Graeme and I have started cycling a type of event called an audax. … Continue reading Cycling the Dorset Coast Audax
Cloddfa Gwanas Quarries and Waun-oer
This weekend we had a bit of a mission to go to Snowdonia for some mountain walks. I’m planning to go for Summer Mountain Leader assessment in the next 12-18 months, and as part of that journey I need to log a total of 40 ‘quality mountain days’ during the consolidation period between training and … Continue reading Cloddfa Gwanas Quarries and Waun-oer
Cycling the Brecon Beacons Day Two
The Black Mountains If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period. Fair-weather riding is a luxury reserved for Sunday afternoons and wide boulevards. Those who ride in foul weather – be it cold, wet, or inordinately hot – are members of a special club of riders who, on … Continue reading Cycling the Brecon Beacons Day Two
Cycling the Brecon Beacons Day One
The central beacons A crack of light made its way through the black-out curtains, just enough to make me open a bleary eye. I blinked. I picked up my phone - 8.03. Time to stir. A peer out through the dawn light revealed a grey sky behind Dinas Castle, and behind the dark peaks of … Continue reading Cycling the Brecon Beacons Day One
Mini tour of Brittany day 3 – Huelgoat to Roscoff
After yesterdays magnificent feast, breakfast today was bound to be a disappointment. With no food at the B&B and most of the town square closed, I only had a café au lait and some freshly squeezed orange juice to get me going. It was more than enough. Despite my host’s assertion that ‘it’s all uphill … Continue reading Mini tour of Brittany day 3 – Huelgoat to Roscoff
Mini tour of Brittany day 2 – Camaret-sûr-Met to Huelgoat
After the most magnificent breakfast buffet at the Thalassa Hotel this morning, it was time to tear myself away from the joys of Camaret-sûr-Mer and head inland. It was a bright and sunny morning and I was tempted to lengthen my route by exploring the beaches around Crozon, but there were still squalls around and … Continue reading Mini tour of Brittany day 2 – Camaret-sûr-Met to Huelgoat
Mini tour of Brittany day 1 – Roscoff to Camaret-sûr-Mer
I am writing this blog from the road! This weekend I am over in France, doing my own little solo cycling tour. I’ve done a couple of trips with Graeme in previous years, cycling the Petit Tour de Manche from Cherbourg to Roscoff. We’ve always had absolutely awesome weather so it was a bit of … Continue reading Mini tour of Brittany day 1 – Roscoff to Camaret-sûr-Mer