Enthusiastic and keen to push myself further, having discovered long off-road cycle rides in 2024 after joining some buddies around the New Forest on Tuesday evenings, I cannot get enough of being completely detached and either alone, or with a small group, somewhere away from civilisation. Solo rides discovered in 2025 and unbelievable how much fun it is eating croissants alone in deserted woodland, though it is spooky how much I talk to myself and let my inner narrative escape. I am still learning and equipping myself for a more self sufficient approach. I want to travel light, with no weight on my back, and I prefer a mountain bike over a gravel bike.
Challenges I need to crack in 2026 include :
- actually using my overnight camping gear (tarp, bivvy bag, etc) if I can successfully get it packed on the bike (still equipping)
- Consistently getting over 40 miles in a day and having no fear of 70 mile days (although still wary of lots of up and down). This is critical for doing Via Transilvanica in the future and not needing a month off to do it.
Completed
#South Downs Way in May 2024
#King Alfreds Way in May 2025
#North Downs Way solo in July 2025
#Round the Island solo in September 2025
Planned
#London to Brighton in March 2026
#Royal Chilterns Way in May 2026
#The Greater Ridgeway in June 2026
# South Downs Way in August 2026
#Via Transylvania maybe in 2027