I keep finding myself drawn back to Belgium. There’s something about the place that tugs at me — enough that I’ve returned to Camping Jeugdstadion (now Urban Gardens) more times than I can count. In the early days it was always on a bicycle; lately it’s been on a motorbike, which changes the rhythm of…
Why Bikesafe? Coming back to motorcycling later in life — in my 50s — comes with a strange mix of excitement and realism. Statistically (and depending on how those statistics are presented), riders in my age bracket are more likely to be involved in a serious or fatal accident. I work with data every day,…
After a full day at the Seend Beer Festival — soaking up sets from brilliant local musicians like Vince Bell, Jamie R Hawkins and George Wilding, laughing with good friends, swapping half‑remembered memories with old schoolmates, and working my way through pints of real ale with names as gloriously ridiculous as only a proper festival…
For years, my journeys began with the rhythmic churn of pedals, the creak of panniers, and the quiet satisfaction of knowing that every mile was earned by my own legs. I’ve cycled to ferry ports, Portsmouth, Newhaven and Dover more times than I can count—multi‑day rides with tents strapped to the frame, cooking gear rattling…
Back in 2014, while cycling through the sun-drenched roads of Spain, I met a kindred spirit—Norman (aka Normski), a fellow German cycle tourer with a big smile and an even bigger appetite for adventure. We hit it off instantly and pedalled together for a stretch along the east coast, eventually joined by another German traveller,…
A New Challenge Ahead: Trading Pedals for Pistons It’s been nearly eleven years since I set off on that life-altering ride to Cape Town—10 months, 18,000 kilometers, and a thousand stories stitched into the seams of my panniers. Along the way, I met fellow wanderers chasing horizons by bicycle, motorbike, van, and truck. Each had…
For some reason, this post, did not auto upload, it had originally been set to post in September 2023. Just found it in the Draft folder. I was heading for the small village of Cherval. This is on the way home and North East of Bordeaux. I’d been invited to a wedding/union party on the…
My previous trip to Bordeaux was to stay with a warmshowers host in 2014. That didn’t happen. I’d arrived and called and unfortunately they were unwell. This left me with a bit of a problem. I’d cycled all day, was in the middle of a city with nowhere to sleep. Luckily cycling out I met…
Thanks again to Elke who let me stay with her and rest again in Olargues. AfTer several days rest and a great time relaxing in n Olargues it was time to hit the road. Or cycle path. The Voie de Vert that runs through Olargues was my route out, and 9 years ago my route…
I opted to stay on the outskirts of Montpellier in an F1 hotel. These hotels are very basic. Air conditioning in the room, bed and basin. Toilet facilities and showers are in communal areas. I arrived and joined a queue for check in. I didn’t ask if I could take my bike to the room.…
The way back into France was heading South of Geneva. A customs post, unmanned on this particular day was soon behind me and a sign showing the speed limits for France. I’d heard from Norman that the customs are sometimes manned. There are limits on what people can take into Switzerland. Alcohol being quite a…
In Switzerland I had arranged to see an old friend Norman Kraus, whom I’d met while cycling in Spain in 2014. A day later we met Rênas and spent a couple of weeks cycling together. We followed the Spanish coast together, rode up to Granada and headed toward Gibraltar before going our own separate ways.…
I awoke at my warmshowers hosts reasonably early and was offered breakfast. Something simple would do, like porridge oats. Lots of calories and a good fuel for the day ahead. Setting off reasonably early meant I would miss some of the heat. I thanked my hosts and cycled down the steep hill that I had…
After speaking with Max I had changed my route and was now heading for Munich. If started feeling like I had a cold and thought maybe I should take a day off in Munich. On the way, the temperature increased again. In the afternoon it was stifling and I was drinking a huge amount of…
Leaving the campsite, everyone warned me about the hills. I’d had a sampler at the end of the previous days ride. Markus, Thomas had both said it’s going to get hilly and that my target to Ingolstadt was a tough one. A quick descent to Pforten. Easing the brakes on the way down after overheating…
I wasn’t fully awake, still bleary eyed and feeling tired after only managing 3.5 hours sleep. The crossing on the Trelleborg to Rostock ferry had been smooth enough. After being boarded last, the best spots to lay a camping mat had already been taken. First I tried a nice looking landing with polished wooden floors.…
Watching the rain through the window in Güstrow, Germany. Just had my first proper day off since leaving home. Spent it looking around town, looking in all the shops, getting my hair cut and updating the blog. Thought I was going to see a band tonight, but it’s not on. 🙁 So after having some…
Having reached Skagen and then Grenen, riding through a grey gloomy morning and finally I reached the tip of Denmark. There were only a few other people milling about. The coffee shops weren’t open until 10am, so I went back to a Lidl, bought some pasties, brewed a coffee and then I rode South to…
After using a shelter for the night I continued to head North. The gloomy clouds hovering the day before had dissipated. At least for now. And I set off along a well used gravel track. This soon turned back into tar. I looked to my left and saw an elephant! And then a rhino, a…
Riding through Germany reminding me much of England. Obviously I couldn’t understand most of the signs and written word, but the hills and topography in some areas was much like home. Agricultural land tended to be a mix of arable and dairy, with the odd pig farm thrown in. I stopped early after leaving Bremen,…
My last day in the Netherlands was my birthday. I awoke early, had a strong coffee, packed up and was ready to hit the road early, before the wind got stronger. Generally the wind is not strong first thing. On the way through Muntendam, I thought I’d get some more cash. Not all Dutch supermarkets…
