– Adventure Touring –
If you ever catch me riding a bike, I'll be wearing a cotton cycling cap. I bought my first one five years ago and have worn them religiously ever since. Over my time touring, a nice little story unfolded so I decided to write it up and send it to the guys who make all … Continue reading New Article for Prendas Ciclismo
Stationed high in the mountains of China’s Xinjang province, in the peculiar ‘border’ town of Tashkurgan, I’m doggedly writing away in an attempt to finally catch up the blog! It’s been a while. I’m going to try keep this one short and snappy but hopefully get across the strange sentiment that has occupied us the … Continue reading Oh hi Dad
Before leaving the UK, cycling had become a therapy of sorts whilst temporarily transitioning back from university life to plan this trip. It gave me a fresh perspective on the surrounding hills, quaint villages and countryside that I’m lucky enough to call home. Crisp early morning’s exploring the Chilterns would become savoured hours in the … Continue reading Detouring
Khorog’s Pamir lodge is an infectious place, both the ‘Tajik bug’ and a true cyclists camaraderie became epidemic through those walls over my time there. The place emanated with a true traveller’s atmosphere, tales of the Pamirs told over worn maps splayed out over table tops, leading to many a speculation of what lay ahead. … Continue reading First Forays Above 4000m
I wrote this post on Facebook after hearing of the terror incident in Tajikistan. I rode through there just a few weeks ago and had the pleasure of meeting two of the wonderful people who unfortunately were involved in this horrendous incident. "Before leaving to cycle around the world, I was repeatedly told how … Continue reading Terror in Tajikistan
I realise it’s been a long time since writing my last post on here - apologies to any eager followers out there (Mum) who have been craving a fix of yet another ‘troublesome’ tale of me bumbling through central Asia. I hope this will suffice. Already, just flicking through my diary entries from the start … Continue reading The Authentic Tajik ‘Experience’
There are two things that make life on the bike interesting: freedom and variety. In fact that’s probably a distillation of what makes life in general interesting, when mixed in with a healthy dose of challenge. Uzbekistan so far was definitely lacking in the variety department but mentally, the desert had proved challenging. Now finding … Continue reading Just deserts
I realise it’s been a couple of weeks now since I last posted an update, so this one will probably be a bit of a whirlwind! I’m now in, what lonely planet describes as ‘Uzbekistan’s least desirable city’. Nukus. An imposing soviet style dwelling, harking back to the ‘glory days’ of the USSR, it sits … Continue reading We’ll be gone tomorrow. Probably…
I’d broken up my trip with a visit to see Shauna in Italy. Beautiful cobbled squares, incredible food and easily accessible alcohol. It was a world away from sleeping rough on the floors of Turkish petrol stations. Returning on the plane I felt a pit in my stomach, I really didn’t want to be back … Continue reading Mountains, Seas, and protesting in Tbilisi
If we were to walk down the street together, chances are that you would overtake me. My natural pace is an amble at best, and it generally takes a crippling disability for me forge ahead of someone on the pavement. Put me on a bike however and this contempt for the slower way of life … Continue reading Off the ‘Beaten Track’
