Despite various attempts at different types of riding, I’m sure that I’m a roadie at heart. 99% of my riding is on the asphalt, and I love it. There is however a tiny problem. In most places I’ve ridden, separated bike routes are a rarity, if not a luxury - which means that I have... Continue Reading →
Mount Ventoux, Col de Tourmalet, Passo Giau, Stelvio. Big names, each a must visit for cycling enthusiasts. I’m not a natural climber. Not by a long way. Nairo Quintana, Egan Bernal, Jonas Vingegaard, they’re in a different league. With my 95 kg and rugby player build, I pale in comparison. I used to hate cycling... Continue Reading →
Since BMB, the bug of long distance touring has me well and truly in its jaws. That being said, due to work I didn’t have much of a chance for a long ride since August. Think of January in Austria, and you’ll normally think of cozying up at home by a fireplace, or going skiing... Continue Reading →
A rather optimistic title perhaps. Humour me though. Picture the scene: it’s Saturday and you need to do some chores in the city. You could take the car or public transport, but you don’t really want to drive in circles for hours looking for a parking space and public transport takes forever. You take your bike.
You open the door and flip the light switch. The dank smell of the basement first hits your nostrils as the strip lights flicker lazily for a few seconds. These eventually warm up and fill the small room with a cold, harsh light. The walls of the storage room are lined with the dusty carcasses... Continue Reading →
The POC Ventral Spin helmet has a special place in my heart. About two years ago, I had a nasty crash with a van which suddenly pulled out in front of me. Despite my efforts to brake in time, my head hit the windscreen at about 25 km/h. Thankfully only a week beforehand I splashed... Continue Reading →
It was Wednesday, the day afterwards. I was sitting in my car, driving across Berlin to pick up my bike from the New Order bike shop. It was strange to be back in a car again. After spending the last 6 days on my bike, I felt suddenly isolated from the outdoors. No sun on... Continue Reading →
A stone's throw to Wittenberg (checkpoint 8) The alarm rang, and this time I pushed the snooze button. I got up at 6am - what a luxury. After all, I only had 170km to ride today to Berlin and all by 4pm at the latest. 10 hours. Plenty of time. Time for breakfast. I took... Continue Reading →
Running on empty The alarm rings at 4.30. I've slept pretty well, although that's not too surprising given the comfy bed. It's certainly better than a bench in a shower room. The first thing I notice when I get up is my back wheel, which is lying against the radiator under the window. It seems... Continue Reading →
The breakaway The alarm rang. Again. 4.30. This is getting tiring. The first challenge of the morning, get up off an inflatable mattress without being able to put my feet on the floor or making the damn thing squeak excessively. Back roll? Flip over and crawl? Easier said than done. The next 30 minutes are... Continue Reading →
Team time trial (checkpoint 4) The alarm rings at 3.40. I tried to count how many of my vertebrae have been displaced over the last few hours of sleep. Not too many on reflection, oddly enough I slept as well as I did on the first night, in a proper bed. Keen to keep our... Continue Reading →
The hunt for Thomas and coffee The alarm rings at 3.30. Christian and I get up, stumbling around the hotel room and putting together our kit. Is this your powerpack? Where is my computer? Is this my phone? Despite the comfortable mattress, I had slept badly, convinced in my dreams that I had forgot to... Continue Reading →
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