Happy New Year Everyone! I’m not sure it’s socially acceptable to say that half-way through February, but it’s been a while since I lasted posted on here and I figured it was better than ‘Happy Valentine’s Day’. Because it has been so long, I thought it would be handy to summarise a few of the …
Week 13 – Tallinn
Whilst in Tallinn, I spent a disproportionate amount of time in my hotel room – specifically, my bed. I’ve talked before (week 5) about how important rest and recovery is as an ‘athlete’. So, between arriving on the Tuesday evening and the race on the Saturday, my plan was to avoid as much unnecessary exertion …
Week 12 – Triathlon: Part 2
This follows on from my previous post, which you can read here if you missed it. After the Evergreen Ultra Triathlon in 2019, I took a couple of weeks to let the dust settle and enjoy a much-needed break. When it came time to refocus for the following season, I knew that I wanted to …
Week 11 – Triathlon: Part 1
Hello everyone! I hope you didn’t miss me too much. I’m now back from Estonia with the Ironman behind me and no excuse not to start up this blog again. I’m sure you’re all eager to hear my thoughts on Tallinn, since I’ve got such a good reputation as a travel writer, but before I …
Week 7 – Sunrise
There was only really one thing I could write about this week. Whilst walking in the mountains a couple of weeks ago, I thought to myself how spectacular it could be to watch a sunrise up high. On Tuesday (last week), it was due to be perfectly clear for the night and following morning, so …
Week 6 – ‘Friends’
This week on my blog: three reasons why I actually don’t like my friends. Reason No. 1 A brief Introduction: This first story revolves around cycling, so I thought it best to provide some context – please bear with. Most bikes have gears. Traditionally, these gears are operated by changing the tension in a [gear] …
Week 5 – Silence
Towards the end of last week’s post, I mentioned that I had three days remaining in my current training block. I also previously mentioned, that I’ve had a number of friends join me whilst I’ve been here in the Alps. Two of them – let’s call them Bobby and Jimmy – were with me since …
Week 4 – Golden Hour
Through some of the challenges that I’ve undertaken, I think it is probably clear that I like riding my bike. I’ve written about it as well, I’m sure; but I don’t know if I’ve ever really talked about where the love affair started. When I was 15, I cycled from London to Chamonix with my …
Week 3
I was about to make excuses for this post based on the fact that I rode my bike for six hours today. Then I remembered that I used to do that every day and I don’t really have a leg to stand on. So, instead: welcome to Week 3… I’ve had some friends with me …
The Alps – Week 2
The last time I wrote a regular blog, I did so daily and I moaned a lot. This time around, I would really like to be a bit more positive. Not only would it be better for everyone involved, but I’ve also realised that I don’t really have anything to complain about (without sounding entitled). …
Introduction – Week 1
I can’t say that I ever expected to find myself posting on this blog again (other than to plug my book), but I had an idea a couple of days ago, and this post is the result of that. I feel I should begin by apologising to anyone who receives an automatic email because they …
Chapter Closed
Emu Racing & Record Chasing is fully released. The book is available to buy in all the usual places (including Amazon), and the eBook is now live too. The launch event on Tuesday evening was a brilliant way to mark this occasion, and I’d like to extend my thanks to everyone who came. It truly …
Published
My book was officially released on Thursday. I was originally planning to write a long post about it, but I have since decided against that. Below is something I wrote on my Facebook page (for those that don't follow me on there); I think it sums up everything I need to say... My book was …
Early Release Copies Now Available to Order!
That's right! You can now order Emu Racing & Record Chasing to receive it before the official release date! Full release has been set by my publishers for 28th March 2019, but I'm expecting to receive some copies from the printers about a week before this, and I will be able to send them out …
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Book Update – February 2019
It’s done. At long last, it is finally finished. My book has been sent to the printers and is now only a matter of a few weeks away. I never expected it to take as long as it has - I don’t know if I would’ve taken on the challenge had I known. But I’m …
Book Update – December 2018
Hey everyone, I hope you’re all well and haven’t forgotten about me... Last time I posted on here, I said that would keep you updated as things progressed with my book. Those of you who know me probably weren’t too surprised when this didn’t happen. Apologies for that, I do try, I promise. I did …
Book Update – Sept 2018
Hello everyone... Unsurprisingly, this post comes a lot later than I had initially said it would. Thank you to anyone who reads this and is still subscribed to this blog. This is just a short update to let anyone interested know that things are finally in motion. Finishing my book took much longer than expected. …
An Update – 2 Years Later
My previous blog post was written the day after I finished my trip. In it, I said that it wouldn’t be my last. I did not deliberately lie about that. I had every intention of following it up with a summary of the trip. However, when I sat down to write it, I had no …
Day 174 – Winchester to London – Final Day!
This is more of a general update than anything else as I’m afraid I’ve been rather busy since returning and I can’t even begin to digest what’s happened; let alone write something worth reading… I will post something more interesting (hopefully) in the next few days. Briefly though, I just want to say thank you …
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Day 173 – Poole to Winchester
I'm less than 100 miles from London... Distance: 45.8miles / 73.7km Riding Time: 2:51:51 Av. Speed: 16.0mph / 25.5km
Day 172 – Fougères to Cherbourg
A bit of a milestone today really. Ok I haven’t ‘officially’ cycled around the world yet but I’m now leaving France and it feels a bit surreal. I am now in Poole and the ferry got in rather late, so despite a short day tomorrow, I’m keen to get to bed. (I probably should have …
Day 171 – Cholet to Fougères
After almost 7 months, this is my last full night abroad... And I intend to spend as much of it as possible asleep... So yeah, you get the idea. I haven't quite got my head around that, maybe it's because I still have to cycle 100 miles tomorrow, and maybe something will sink in when …
Day 170 – Pons to Cholet
Not an overly straightforward day today; and rubbish service at lunch meant we finished late and has therefore meant that I am also very late now as well. The ride today was good. Despite a few minor mishaps with the route heading off-road, it was enjoyable. I’m afraid I am beyond tired and my brain …
Day 169 – Mimizan to Pons
I had the first rain of Leg 8 today. It wasn't too bad but it was far from the temperatures I faced a few days ago. The day improved as it went on really. Around halfway we hit Bordeaux, and whilst there were some very nice bits, it wasn't quite as pretty as expected. The final …
Day 168 – Zumaia to Mimizan
Today has been a good day, although not everything went exactly to plan. The morning was fantastic, riding with someone else pretty much reminded me why cycling is so good. The scenery was, for the most part, very good as well. Riding through San Sebastián was pretty stunning but unfortunately I managed to fall off …
Day 167 – Briviesca to Zumaia
Today has been a really good day. My legs took 80 kilometres to wake up so the morning was bit slow, but after that, it was brilliant. Spain suddenly became a very nice place to ride and I'm almost sad that I'm leaving it tomorrow... almost. I have now been joined by my Dad and …
Day 166 – Valladolid to Briviesca
I woke up really tired this morning and it soon became apparent that the legs had not recovered from yesterday either. It's been quite a while since they've been that stiff actually. A pretty rubbish breakfast didn't help and once riding I instantly discovered that the wind was also doing everything it could to make …
Day 165 – Ciudad Rodrigo to Valladolid
I’m currently having to put in some longer days in order to get back for my planned finish date; so rather than me starting every blog saying: “I’m late again so this will be a short update”, maybe just assume that that’s the case from now on. Today was long, but nowhere near as hot …
Day 164 – Nisa to Cuidad Rodrigo
I got about 5 hours sleep last night and I’m keen to change that, so this will have to be another short one. Today was hard, I think due to a combination of heat and hills. It was by far the hottest day I’ve had with this much climbing. In fact, it had almost double …
Day 163 – Lisbon to Nisa – Start of Leg 8
I’ve had three days off and am now riding again. Lisbon was great as I got to see my mum and sister, but it was not totally without stress. Problems with the bike and Garmin (the latter of which is still not resolved) meant I had far less time than expected yesterday. It was good …
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