About Phil Going Commando in North Devon
As an Army Engineer Commando Veteran, I have always kept fit and in 2022 discovered bike-packing. I cycled from John O Groats to Lands End (JOGLE) in June of that year riding 1000 miles in just under 2 weeks and raising £2500.00 for Team Endeavour, a wheelchair rugby charity.
Since JOGLE, I have had many bike-touring adventures, some weekly, some shorter and some just overnight. However, I have never undertaken a multi-month journey before, but now is the time! It seems like a rite of passage for a bike tourist, whether it's crossing a country or a continent.
I want to do it while I physically still can. I am fit enough, and I have the time and space to focus on a bike trip at the moment. It just feels like the time is right. It's time to leap into the abyss. I know the abyss is frightening and it's easy to put dreams and adventures on hold because of fear of the unknown. But fear can make you stay where you are and prevent you from venturing out into the unknown to become better.
Plus, being comfortable is, well, comfortable. Who doesn't like feeling comfortable? I do like a basic level of comfort, like food and shelter, but too much "kills my drive". Those aren't my words, I read them somewhere, but they are meaningful enough for me to remember because they are so true.
Bike touring can be uncomfortable in so many ways; bad weather, busy traffic, hard terrain, sleeping on rough ground, the list goes on... But I've "roughed it" before, and biked, kayaked and hiked and had many memorable adventures. Now bike touring around Europe is my goal. Bike touring gives you a unique opportunity to interact with people, landscapes and cultures in a way impossible from inside a vehicle.
Happy Cycling!
www.youtube.com/@goprocommando5016/featured
9,643 km
588:53 h
Recent Activity
Phil Going Commando in North Devon and Michael went gravel riding.
4 days ago
02:08
36.6km
17.1km/h
130m
90m
Phil Going Commando in North Devon planned a hike.
6 days ago
03:01
10.8km
3.6km/h
220m
220m
Phil Going Commando in North Devon planned a hike.
December 19, 2025
05:15
18.1km
3.4km/h
470m
480m
Phil Going Commando in North Devon planned a hike.
December 17, 2025
04:36
16.7km
3.6km/h
340m
340m
Phil Going Commando in North Devon went gravel riding.
December 7, 2025
The Winter Gravel Series returns for its Bristol Edition! Overview The Winter Gravel Series returns for its Bristol Edition! Welcome to the Bristol edition of the Winter Gravel Series! Arrive bright and early to Alpkit Bristol for coffee, fruit and pastries, before heading out into the hills. The route is mixed surface, with back roads, champagne gravel, and chunky byways. Minimum of a gravel bike is recommended. There are 8 secteurs of offroad through the Land Yeo and Chew Valley, and two potential refreshment stops in Winford and Chew Valley Lake. It's expected to take between 3-5 hours depending on ability, but is fully self-supported so take it as fast or as slow as you like. Please dress for the occasion and bring supplies and tools for any situation (or that one mechanic mate!)
03:37
55.7km
15.4km/h
830m
830m
Phil Going Commando in North Devon and Michael planned a gravel ride.
December 5, 2025
04:42
57.3km
12.2km/h
820m
820m