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Phil Going Commando in North Devon

Story
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

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Recent Activity

went gravel riding.

a day ago

The Glorious Gravel Finisher 2026

Time

7h38m

Distance

111km

Speed

18.2km/h

Ascent

900m

Descent

890m

, , and others like this.

about 16 hours ago

Well done Phil 🙌🏻

went gravel riding.

3 days ago

Codden Hill Blow Out

Time

1h57m

Distance

18.8km

Speed

14.5km/h

Ascent

290m

Descent

330m
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

, , and others like this.

went gravel riding.

5 days ago

26GG0411 Glorious Gravel Somerset - Long

Distance

110km

Ascent

860m

Descent

850m
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

likes this.

went gravel riding.

5 days ago

26GG0411 Glorious Gravel Somerset - Long

Distance

110km

Ascent

860m

Descent

850m
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

planned a gravel ride.

5 days ago

Somerset Glorious Gravel: Wells - Mendip Hills AoNB 104km +880m 08:04h London Gravel CC route

Time

8h04m

Distance

104km

Speed

12.8km/h

Ascent

880m

Descent

890m
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

went mountain biking.

6 days ago

Brendon Common MTB

Time

1h48m

Distance

16.3km

Speed

10.4km/h

Ascent

350m

Descent

350m

, , and others like this.

went for a hike.

7 days ago

Meldon Dam – Meldon Reservoir loop from Meldon Viaduct

Time

2h05m

Distance

5.78km

Speed

3.9km/h

Ascent

110m

Descent

70m

, , and others like this.

went gravel riding.

April 4, 2026

Grand Western Canal Circular x

Time

1h15m

Distance

16.9km

Speed

15.5km/h

Ascent

160m

Descent

160m

, , and others like this.

went for a hike.

April 3, 2026

Heddon Valley NT Hike

Time

2h36m

Distance

8.22km

Speed

3.9km/h

Ascent

300m

Descent

290m

, , and others like this.

and went for a bike ride.

April 2, 2026

Activity

Time

3h43m

Distance

25.7km

Speed

20.1km/h

Ascent

270m

Descent

270m

, , and others like this.

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