Review: Cumulus Lite Line 200 Down Sleeping Bag
The best value, highest quality down sleeping bag? I spent a long time researching what sleeping bag to take when cycling through Africa. I wanted small and lightweight because it…
Review – Cumulus 1200 Sleeping Bag Winter Use
For this current Siberian winter bike trip I’m using a Cumulus down sleeping bag. It’s the one I used in Scandinavia last winter. It worked great then. But I didn’t…
Bike and Gear Set-up for Asia – Downsizing
Having been on the road a few months in Asia now, I thought it was time to share how I’m carrying all my gear for anyone that’s interested. As usual,…
Alpkit Gear Reviews: Hunka Bivvy, MytiPot, Headtorch and Lantern
I have a number of items of gear from Alpkit on this trip and they are all getting well-used. In summary, I am very impressed. Especially when you consider the…
Gear Advice and Lessons Learned – Equipment
GEAR You can see the list of gear I took on the Equipment List page here. I’m no expert, but here’s a list of things I learned and did. Duct tape…
Gear Advice and Lessons Learned – Clothing
What I Wore / Worked for Me: Cycling: 0 to -10C: Underwear – sports/quick-dry bra and pants Bottoms – lightweight baselayer and paramo aspira waterproof trousers Top – lightweight baselayer…
End of a Saddle: Brooks comparison New vs Old (after 38,000km)
When is a Brooks saddle buggered? My saddle caused me so much pain towards the end of my last trip I thought it was finally time for a new one.…
Croatia – A Dalmatian Vacation
Having taken the overnight ferry from Ancona in Italy, I arrived in Split as the sun rose. Another short boat ride and I was on the island of Hvar, where…
Review of Frame Bike-Bag by Buggy Bags
This frame bag by the textile manufacturers Buggy Bags, is custom-made to fit the bike. Originally, the company produced bags and equipment for kite buggies, but to meet demand for…
Review of Rab Neutrino Women’s Down Vest
This down vest by Rab has to be my favourite item of clothing. Ever. It’s perfect as an extra layer around camp, or wearing to sleep in -13C November Utah…
Review of Aquapac Waterproof cases and Exped drybags
There were two reasons I wanted to protect all my gear in waterproof bags and cases. Firstly, my Ortlieb panniers are no longer waterproof, being scarred with small holes from…
Review of Nemo Obi 2P Lightweight Tent
Update: Having now completed my cycle through North and Central America, I figured it’s time for an update on how the tent fared over the 8 months. Looking back at…
Review of The North Face Hedgehog GTX III Trail Running Shoe
The North Face Hedgehog GTX III is a lightweight trail running shoe made of Goretex fabric with a Vibram sole. This makes them waterproof, breathable and durable with good grip…
A Bike Makeover
My Thorn bike made it the 25,000km to Cape Town. Just. It needed a makeover well before that, but it always seemed, ‘just a little further’. So I kept delaying…
Review: Icebreaker Leggings
Well, what is there to say about a pair of black leggings? Pretty standard stuff. Black. Leggings. Nuff said? But these are not just any black leggings… these are…
Review: Icebreaker Tech Top
My first impression, before I’d even got the new Icebreaker top out of the cellophane packaging was, ‘Wow! That’s bright!’. I have the cranberry colour top. Pink isn’t usually my…
Review: MSR Pocket Rocket
Update This stove has been used extensively over the last eight months on my cycle from Canada to central America. I just wanted to say that this stove has worked…
Packrafting – The First Outing
During my ride through Africa, I also spent two weeks paddling down the upper reaches of the Niger River in Guinea in a wooden pirogue with fellow cyclist Lars Bengtsson.…
Bike Review after 25,000km
I’ve just written a detailed review of how my Thorn Raven Tour (with Rohloff hub) held up during the 25,000km Take On Africa bike ride. Take On Africa – Bike…
Clothing Review
These reviews are of the clothes I used during the 25,000km Take On Africa bike ride to Cape Town. Keen shoes – Targhee II I just love Keen shoes! These lasted…