Cranked

I used to mountain bike a lot but got suckered into road and cyclo cross so revisiting some Lakeland technical trails was fantastic – to be up there again in amongst the scenery

These are riders we didn’t get words from. No criticism – can only do some much with the 24 hours in a day. Still – we have their pictures, or them or their bikes. So something to ponder here…

My bike is a rigid steel plus bike and is therefore probably considered bikepacking specific however it is equally suited for a variety of different riding.

It’s a return to a time when mountain biking was a bit less about timing yourself and looking for incremental performance gains, and more about having an adventure and enjoying the experience.

I love rolling into a pub and getting a slap up meal, a few beers and then rolling along on to a bivvy spot, setting up and settling down. Morning is also great; dawn coffee and porridge…

I set off thinking I’m going to be joining the hardcore guys and girls in every pub on the way when the reality is that I’m just trying to get halfway round before darkness!

Knowing how temperatures can fall dramatically in the Lakes, I would always opt for a good three season sleeping bag, over a bit of extra weight, that said my bag feels noticeably heavier than some others doing the ride and they seemed to sleep ok.

It’s always important to have something to look forward to post pedal. On Jennride I had my hip flask and a can of craft beer stowed away.

For me the build up to the ride meant reflecting on the lives of others, people who’d used their bikes to connect, share their stories and inspire others, like Jenn, or who encapsulated what it is to be self-reliant, determined and always pushing their limits like Mike Hall.

I prefer to travel as light as possible and get round without stopping. If I do have to stop then a primaloft jacket and a foil bivy rather than a sleeping bag and a mat!