Route Builder - WillCycle The WillCycle Route Builder is deliberately basic. It offers just the functionality you need to build a route, and nothing more. You can switch between different maps, choose to display Points of Interest (PoIs), such as cafés, pubs, or bike shops, and you can add additional information. If navigating your own route, using this site,

Yes, the #WillCycle Route Builder is available for everyone to use, over Easter. Even YOU!

Go try it out now:
https://www.willcycle.com/route-builder/
#Cycling #Mapping

Route Builder - WillCycle The WillCycle Route Builder is deliberately basic. It offers just the functionality you need to build a route, and nothing more. You can switch between different maps, choose to display Points of Inte...

Yes, the #WillCycle Route Builder is available for everyone to use, over Easter. Even YOU!

Go try it out now:
www.willcycle.com/route-builder/
#Cycling #Mapping

Testing the #WillCycle route builder, by setting the starting point as the northern-most part of Africa, and the end as the southern-most part, with no waypoints in between.

Use your noodle “Use your head” typically is the same as saying “Think it through”, but there’s far more to this. Like any muscle, your brain responds very well to _sustained_ aerobic exercise. ## _Physical_ exercise for my brain? Yes, absolutely! Look, doing puzzles, like sudoku or similar, is a good workout for your brain, but doing _physical_ exercise is immensely good for your brain. Why? Read on! ## Aerobic exercise and brain volume It is scientific fact that aerobic exercise stimulated the creation of new neurons in your brain, and cycling is _excellent_ aerobic exercise. Yes, cycling quite literally grows more brain cells, and improve cognitive function, as well as spatial memory. Importantly, not only does aerobic exercise show improvement of the hippocampus area of the brain, but it is also linked with the preservation of white and grey matter in the frontal, temporal and parietal cortexes. Those are areas that tend to shrink with age! ## Gain plasticity! Plasticity is the brain’s ability to adapt and form new neural connections, and it’s vital to maintain this throughout your life. It is this that counteracts the cognitive decline normally associated with aging. Simply put, cycling reduces the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s! ## Get outside While there are clear benefits to following a structured training programme on a smart turbo trainer, _nothing_ beats getting outside. The benefits of what is called _green exercise_ have been proven beyond any doubt. Green exercise, in case you were wondering, is cycling in rural areas, away from cityscapes. It is proven to make a material improvement to an individual’s mental health, both in well populations, and amongst those suffering from diagnosed mental illnesses. See also Project Rebuild - the beginning More to the point, research shows bouts of green exercise are _substantially_ more beneficial to psychological well-being than the same exercise carried out indoors, or in built-up outdoor environments. ## Where are you going with this? Simple: we _know_ that cycling is fantastic for your brain’s physical well-being, and we _know_ that cycling outside, in rural landscapes, is extremely good for your mental health. And all that is in addition to the physical health benefits for your body! ## Putting it all together Most of us live in cities, and a far smaller number are fortunate enough to live in the sticks. Especially if you live in a large city, you _need_ to plan regular cycling escapes from the city, even if only for a weekend. And the very best way to enjoy hours of rural cycling bliss is to go cycle touring. Consider a set route, escaping for just two or three days, or take on larger challenges, such as the iconic C2C route. You can even just take your bike on a train, to get to your nearest traffic-free cycle route! It doesn’t matter which you choose, as long as you get out there, into a green environment, and ride your bike. Your mental health will benefit enormously, as will your physical health, all while you’ll be making your brain bigger and healthier, and vastly reducing the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s. ### Share this: * Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon * Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook * Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp * Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor * Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit * Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email * Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads * Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky * More * * Print (Opens in new window) Print * Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn * Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr * Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest * See also Brighton Bimble - finally done! ### _Related_

From the #WillCycle archives: Use your noodle

"Use your head" typically is the same as saying "Think it through", but there's far more to this. Like any muscle, your brain responds very well to sustained aerobic exercise....

https://www.willcycle.com/better-world/use-your-noodle/

Original post on social.vivaldi.net

From the #WillCycle archives: Kit review – Time ATAC XC4 pedals

Time ATAC XC4 pedals overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A kit review for pedals? Yes! Because ATAC XC4 aren't your normal bicycle pedals. In a world dominated by Shimano pedals, ATAC XC4 […]

Original post on social.vivaldi.net

From the #WillCycle archives: Kit Review: uleFone Armor 25T Pro

My requirements for mobile phones are different to those of most people, and that's because of cycle touring and camping. For starters, I need a phone that is waterproof. Next […]

Original post on social.vivaldi.net

From the #WillCycle archives: Kit Review – Valehowl sleeping mat

Provisional* overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sleeping mats are not all the same, and the difference in price between entry-level and top-end sleeping mats can be eye-watering. Generally, sleeping mats fall into […]

Africa Solo, by Mark Beaumont Africa Solo tells the story of Mark Beaumont’s record-setting ride, down the continent of Africa. He rode 6 762 miles, to complete the race (and a race it was) in 41 days, 10 hours and 22 minutes. Beaumont set the round-the-world cycling record in 2008, and set a new round-the-world record again, in 2017. That should set the stage for the calibre of person he is. ## The Challenges Beaumont was going for a record that he knew would be hard to beat, and he was determined to (mostly) do it unsupported. Africa is a beautiful, and extremely varied continent, but it is full of danger, too. To make matters more complicated, Beaumont’s route often took him off the tourist trail. It’s hard to grasp what that means. In the UK, excepting some very remote parts of Scotland, you’re usually never particularly far away from a shop. Stocking up on food when cycle touring is easy in the UK. In parts of Africa, just obtaining safe drinking water can be challenging. That’s before we look at the logistics of carrying enough water through dry and desert regions. It’s quite normal for a cycle tourer to need several thousand calories per day, just to keep going. Beaumont wasn’t touring – he was racing, carrying a bike-packing setup on his bike. He calorie needs were huge, and of course he had to buy food along the way. Sometimes, that had rather negative consequences, as you’ll discover when reading the book. ## Equipment trouble Presumably because he was racing, Beaumont opted for a road bike, instead of a more sturdy gravel bike. I can see the benefits of that choice, but Beaumont also experienced the disadvantages of that. These included tyre failures, and plenty of punctures. At times, the roads were so bad, he had to push his bike for long distances. See also How to get fit for summer, before summer He also had a rear cassette fail on him, depriving him of essential gears. That often meant he had to suffer up hills, standing up on the pedals, instead of sitting down and spinning in an easier gear. That failure alone will have been enough to make most people quit, yet he rode that way for thousands of miles. ## Beauty and bureaucracy Africa is undeniably beautiful, and Beaumont’s writing makes it clear by how much he marvelled at the beauty of the continent. He was fortunate enough to have had close encounters with both elephants and giraffes, and lucky enough to have escaped those entirely unscathed. His entire race was regularly frustrated by the bureaucracy that stifles Africa so. From limiting the roads he was allowed to take, to trouble at border crossings, bureaucracy risked ending his race early. ## Verdict Beaumont and I are from different world – his is all about must-go-faster, while mine embraces slowing down. His is racing for a record, while mine is about stopping often, and enjoying the journey itself. As such, this is not a cycle-touring book, but a book about extreme-distance racing. Nevertheless, there’s sufficient overlap between our worlds for this to be a thoroughly enjoyable book. Beaumont is a great writer, and his writing is open and honest. He comes across as a genuinely nice man, and I have no doubts that you’d enjoy reading this book as much as I have. Get your copy here, or from any good bookshop. ### Share this: * Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon * Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook * Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp * Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor * Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit * Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email * Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads * Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky * More * * Print (Opens in new window) Print * Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn * Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr * Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest * See also Project Rebuild: The result ### _Related_

From the #WillCycle archives: Africa Solo, by Mark Beaumont

Africa Solo tells the story of Mark Beaumont's record-setting ride, down the continent of Africa. He rode 6 762 miles, to complete the race (and a race it was) in...

www.willcycle.com/adventure/africa-solo-by...

Original post on social.vivaldi.net

From the #WillCycle archives: Great Central Way – Leicester to Cossington

This route guide actually covers more than just the Great Central Way, and includes some towpaths, and other traffic-free paths, to extend the route to 11.7 miles, ending in Cossington […]

The Jennride The #Jennride has been a fixture on the calendar since 2016, the year following the death of Jenn Hill, Singletrack magazine’s deputy editor, and acts as a fundraiser for St. Gemma’s Hospice and other causes, including Rider Resilience. It also acts as a great excuse to get together with like-minded souls for a weekend of riding through some of the finest scenery in the land. It usually takes place in the summer, but as of last year there’s a winter edition too. Pete Aylward wrote this article, telling us about his adventures during the Winter 2025 JennRide, Pete has a blog over here, and you can also follow him on Mastodon. Any errors or omissions are mine, not Pete’s. ## The Route The 160km/100 mile loop starts and finishes in Staveley in the southern Lake District, and other than having a group camping plot booked in Great Langdale, the route of the ride remains a bit of a mystery until a couple of weeks before the event when Rich Munro, the ride’s organiser, sends out a GPX file. Any route around the Lakes is going to involve a hill pass or two, and these often define the ride. This year we had three noteworthy passes: Kirkstone, Boredale Hause, and Side Gates (better known as Blea Tarn). ## The Start The evening before the ride, there was chance to meet up with other riders near the starting point at The Eagle & Child Inn, and it was good to catch up with people I know from other bikepacking events and to meet others I knew by name but not in person. As ever, there was talk of what bike you were riding, what kit you were carrying, and any plans for how you were going to tackle it. The fact that the #Jennride isn’t a race removes nearly any competitive element or notion of ‘smashing it’: Everyone was just along for the ride. Riders can sign-on and leave any time between 7 and 9 am, but as the café opened at 8, it made sense to grab something (more) for breakfast and a coffee before I left. Small groups and solo riders rode off while others milled around waiting for buddies to arrive or just delaying heading out into what was a cold morning. Coffee and croissant devoured, I put the time next to my name on the sign-out sheet and headed out. Early on I passed a father and son team—Alex and 10(!) year old Zach—who’d stopped for an early ‘fizzy fish’ pick-me up. ## Kirkstone The first leg of the ride took us on roads and tracks to Ambleside, where event supporters Alpkit had laid on coffee and cake outside their shop. This was only 20 km in, so just a quick pit stop and then on to the first proper challenge of the ride, Kirkstone via The Struggle. The route took a sneaky track that runs parallel to the road and then pops out just before the iconic switchbacks and 25% ramps to the summit. I dropped down the gears, sat and spun my legs, and before I knew it had reached the top. I passed a couple of riders resting at the top but was feeling good, so I pressed on, dropping quickly down the pass and turning towards the next and perhaps toughest challenge of the route, Boredale Hause. See also Somerset Circle - revamped and updated! ## Tough Terrain I could see a guy already hike-a-biking on the track up ahead of me as I rode upwards towards the pass. With any climb, there’s a challenge to set yourself as to how far up you can ride. I was pleased to ride up and past the guy walking but inevitably had to stop and start pushing near immediately after. We exchanged a few words, and I pushed on, riding again as the climb levels off, then caught up with four riders who had laid their bikes down and gone to look at the descent. I reassured them that it was the correct route but understood their uncertainty: the washed-out gully is pretty unridable, certainly on a bike set up for bikepacking, so we all cautiously eased our way on foot down through the boulders until the track eased into a fast grassy descent. A guy on a full-suspension bike shot by as I rode steadily towards the eastern side of Ullswater and Askham Fell. He wasn’t carrying any kit, so I assumed he was just out for a day ride. I’d intended to stop at Pooley Bridge for lunch, but as I left the fell side having taken in The Cockpit stone circle, event organiser Rich was there in his van with a spread of snacks needing to be eaten: It would have been rude not to take advantage. ## Camaraderie This was about as far north as the route went, and it now swung round west, climbing steadily upwards again. As I pedalled, the guy who’d come past me on the ‘full-susser’ rode up alongside me. It turned out he was doing the ride but looking to do it ‘in a oner’ rather than camping out, which was why he was carrying no kit. He’d stopped for lunch but was pretty spent, having in his own words, gone out way too fast and was paying for it now. He was still quicker than me, though, so I urged him to push on. ## Steady Three riders came past me on the Old Coach Road. I was riding a fully rigid bike, and the rocky track was far slower on this than it was for them with their suspension setups. I caught them again as we rejoined the road. It transpired that one of them had been riding rigid too, and their pannier rack hadn’t coped with the terrain too well. They were strapping it back together with some zip ties. It pays to take it steady sometimes! See also Africa Solo, by Mark Beaumont Rich was waiting again at Thirlmere. I’d barely eaten any of the snacks I was carrying and again grabbed something from him and rode alongside the reservoir before the speedy road descent to Grasmere. We took a zig-zagging track to avoid the steep road climb up Redbank and then dropped into Langdale at Chapel Stile, where it was a flat ride along the valley to the campsite. ## Camping Last year I pitched my tent in the dark. And in the rain. This year it was still light and was dry and I wasn’t complaining. I got set up, had a quick wash, and then headed over to Old Dungeon Ghyll pub to grab something to eat and catch up with others. A few were already there, and others arrived during the evening. Where the #Jennride is so refreshing is that while there’s a predefined route, it’s very much just a suggestion. In chatting to riders, many had decided to omit bits of the route to avoid a climb they didn’t fancy or to take detours via multiple pubs en route. There’s no bravado nor concern about not completing the full thing. Everyone had had a top day out, regardless of how they’d got here. ## Day 2 After not too chilly a night’s sleep, I packed up and grabbed a bacon butty from the campsite shop. This really isn’t a roughing it/wild camping kind of event! The second day’s route is far shorter than day one, but I’d warned a few who didn’t know the area about the rude start to the day. There was barely a few hundred meters of road before a 25% sign and the climb up to Blea Tarn. With little warm-up, this is tough, but a little less than 15 minutes of spinning as best I could while weaving about the road, and I was at the top. ## Always An Audi It was a stunning morning, with sunlight dappling the fells through breaks in the clouds as we rode through Tilberthwaite on to Hawkshead via Tarn Hows and Grizedale Forest. A few of us got stuck behind a car early on. Just because you can drive your car on a green lane doesn’t mean you should. We urged him to turn back and after our warnings, agreed it was likely for the best. Much as on the first day, I was caught up by and also overtook other riders. The ebb and flow of riders while on a ride such as this makes for a great way of turning what can be a solitary experience more social. See also The Middle-aged Cyclist I had a quick second breakfast at Hawkshead and then pushed on to Ambleside and down to Bowness. The route has been changed late on, as the Windermere ferry was out of action, so we took the road dropping down to near-lake level with three other riders and then climbed up and out of the town. ## The Finish From here, and quite coincidentally, the route followed trails I’d ridden just a few days prior, albeit in the other direction. As I was nearly done and feeling strong, I put my head down and gave it a bit of a sprint to the end, passing a few riders on the way before rolling back into Staveley and the finish. I hung around for a little while chatting to others who were arriving back before heading off, having had such a good weekend on and off the bike. Just as Will provides curated routes, the #Jennride offers some reassurance if you fancy an off-road overnight adventure but are unsure of going it alone. The routes are fully recced and relatively speaking never gets that far away from civilisation should you decide to bail. It’s perhaps worth pointing out, given WillCycle’s core content, that the #Jennride is first and foremost a mountain bike event. Although the winter event has more road sections than the summer edition, there is still some rough and technical terrain to navigate. The #Jennride doesn’t currently have a website, but a search on ‘the socials’ ought to find details of the next event. ‘Rider Resilience, The Film’ is available to watch on YouTube now: Watch this video on YouTube. A last word by Will: If the JennRide seems too challenging for you, but you’d like the idea of cycling in Cumbria, there are other routes available, too. ### Share this: * Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon * Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook * Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp * Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor * Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit * Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email * Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads * Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky * More * * Print (Opens in new window) Print * Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn * Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr * Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest * ### _Related_

From the #WillCycle archives: The Jennride

The #Jennride has been a fixture on the calendar since 2016, the year following the death of Jenn Hill, Singletrack magazine’s deputy editor, and acts as a fundraiser for St....

https://www.willcycle.com/adventure/the-jennride/

Vagabond Vagabond is define as "a person who wanders from place to place without a fixed home". Traditionally used as a slur, but oh how times have changed! Cycle tourers are vagabonds! It's true! When you go cycle touring, you're literally moving from place to place, without a fixed home (while on tour). That's the very idea behind cycle touring, and it's a good thing. We hold on to so many outdated ideas, like the concept that vagabonding is somehow bad. Yes, to a homeless person, it is bad not […]

From the #WillCycle archives: Vagabond

Vagabond is define as "a person who wanders from place to place without a fixed home". Traditionally used as a slur, but oh how times have changed! Cycle tourers are...

https://www.willcycle.com/cycle-touring/vagabond/

No Normal Coffee Long-time readers will know that I love my coffee, and I’m forever looking at ways to improve my ability to have a great cup of coffee, no matter where I may be. ## A new concept No Normal Coffee is a completely new concept. It’s important to understand from the outset that it is effectively instant coffee, and for many people that might be a problem. But it isn’t normal instant coffee, either (there’s a clue in the name!) No Normal Coffee comes as a paste, inside a tube. Just like with toothpaste, you squeeze the coffee paste out. When done, you simply replace the lid. ## Why? Why would you use this? I can see several reasons. Probably the most important to me is the amount of water needed. With something like an AeroPress, you need more water, and when wild camping, water can often be in short supply. In fact, compared to anything other than using either some version of instant coffee, or perhaps coffee bags, you will need far more water that with this coffee. Then there’s the benefit of it being instant coffee. Yes, I can hear all you coffee snobs sighing at that, but bear with me. If after a long and arduous day, in the pouring rain, or perhaps bitterly cold wind, instant can be wonderful. Once you have your tent up, all you need to do is heat a mug of water to your desired temperature, and squeeze in some No Normal Coffee, then stir. Even better, you could have it cold, or enjoy it straight from the tube. Yes – you can eat the paste. In fact, No Normal Coffee suggests trying it either spread on bread, or banana. I confess I haven’t tried either option yet. See also Roads, cars, road danger, and congestion ## Is it any good? Coffee is all about personal taste, so from the outset I need to make it clear that my views are subjective. Your views might be different. No Normal Coffee is sweetened (though very slightly). Normally, I don’t take any sugar or sweetener in my coffee, so that’s a small negative to me. The coffee itself isn’t particularly strong. If anything, I’d say it tastes a bit like Nescafe Gold Blend instant coffee. In my case, that’s not a big compliment, but your views may vary. You need to stir No Normal Coffee well. No, _really_ well! I mean it! If you don’t, there’d be a thick coffee gloup sat at the bottom of your mug. As for how much do you need, well, this is the most serious question. ## The verdict I had to use 3 heaped teaspoons before the coffee was anything like strong enough for my tastes. To be fair, I like very strong coffee, and not everyone does. As a result, that might be a positive to you. The coffee tastes alright, but I certainly won’t rave about the taste. I haven’t yet used up the entire tube of coffee the good people at No Normal Coffee supplied me with (for free) so I don’t know exactly how exactly many cups of coffee I’d get from it. However, as a guess, I’d say no more than 8 cups. At roughly £16 per tube (including delivery) that averages out to around £2 per cup, making No Normal Coffee blazingly expensive. That fact alone means I will not be buying any tubes. I simply find it impossible to justify spending £2 for a cup of instant coffee. If somehow this tasted just like a barista-made latte from a good coffee shop, perhaps I could be swayed. See also Top ten worst things about cycle touring As a result, I can only offer No Normal Coffee 3 stars, out of 5. ⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 3 out of 5. ### Share this: * Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon * Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook * Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp * Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor * Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit * Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email * Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads * Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky * More * * Print (Opens in new window) Print * Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn * Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr * Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest * ### _Related_

From the #WillCycle archives: No Normal Coffee

Long-time readers will know that I love my coffee, and I'm forever looking at ways to improve my ability to have a great cup of coffee, no matter where I...

https://www.willcycle.com/adventure/no-normal-coffee/

Original post on social.vivaldi.net

From the #WillCycle archives: Kit Review – Profile Design aero bars & risers

Overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Aero bars on a touring bike? Yes, I fit Profile Design Legacy II aero bars to my touring bike. My primary motivation was not to gain any […]

When opening the full route guide, you will see oodles of info, incl what bikes are best suited for the route, café stops, an up-to-date weather forecast, plus of course the seriously good #WillCycle interactive map of the route, from which you can download the GPX.

Original post on social.vivaldi.net

From the #WillCycle archives: Book review – Wild Camping the Wild Atlantic Way

Every traveller's journey is unique to them, and is a snapshot in time. This book tells the story of when I cycled the bottom half of Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way […]

Original post on social.vivaldi.net

From the #WillCycle archives: How to get fit for summer, before summer

Many cyclists either stop riding, or greatly reduce their riding during winter. Of course, that's perfectly understandable. After all, it takes a great deal of motivation to step outside and […]

Fairy Trails are integrated with the membership system on #WillCycle, but you can still do them for free, as there's an extremely generous month's free trial.
Take your little ones on a fairy adventure!

#NoMoreIn24 – a new challenge There are no shortages of cycling challenges out there – both physical and virtual. They all tend to take the same format: cycle x distance in y time, or cycle x elevation in y time. Of course, these are valid reasons for that: most cycling challenges are aimed at competitive cyclists, and by competitive cyclists I mean those that enter formal events, like sportives, etc. ## A challenge for all cyclists **#NoMoreIn24** is a simple challenge: don’t buy any cycling-related product during ALL of 2024! Yes, that’s a _big_ ask, so there are some rules: 1. Defective, or broken bike parts (or broken beyond repair bicycles) are excluded 2. Defective, irreparable items of clothing you rely on for cycling are excluded 3. All other cycling-related items are included. That means NO other new items, no matter how shiny and desirable they may be! ## Why though? Actually, there are a great many reasons why. A far better question to ask is why not? Think about it: you can still replace parts that are worn out, or that broke, and you can still buy new cycling clothes (but only to replace worn-out/defective items). As a result, you cannot claim that taking on this challenge might interfere with your cycling. With excuses removed, let’s examine some of the benefits. The most obvious one is that you will save money! With a cost of living crisis in full swing, surely that’s a strong motivation? If money doesn’t motivate you, consider the planet, or more specifically, _your_ impact on the planet. No, don’t try and use cheap excuses now, saying “Yes, but what about them over in…”. YOU are responsible for YOUR actions. It really is as simple as that. See also Surviving the storm Even if your own actions are simply a drop in the ocean, remember that the ocean is made of many millions of drops. If we each make a tiny change, those can add up to substantial changes. And wouldn’t you want to have a better future, free from the (worst) risks of climate change? That starts right here, right now, with _you_! ## Invite others If you and me are single drops, let’s get millions of others to join us, so we can create a tsunami of change. If you’re on X/Twitter, simply click here to challenge others to join in. On all social media, please use the **#NoMoreIn24** hashtag, and encourage others to do the same? ### Share this: * Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon * Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook * Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp * Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor * Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit * Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email * Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads * Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky * More * * Print (Opens in new window) Print * Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn * Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr * Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest * ### _Related_

From the #WillCycle archives: #NoMoreIn24 – a new challenge

There are no shortages of cycling challenges out there - both physical and virtual. They all tend to take the same format: cycle x distance in y time, or cycle...

www.willcycle.com/better-world/nomorein24-...

Camping Coffee To a huge number of people, coffee is an important part of life. If you don't believe me, just have a look at how many coffee shops there are in your local neighbourhood! Now coffee shops are great, but especially when wild camping, the nearest coffee shop might be quite some distance away. What are your options for enjoying a cup of the good stuff while camping, or cycle touring? What are your options? When camping, your options are rather limited, unless you'll be behaving like a Dr […]

From the #WillCycle archives: Camping Coffee

To a huge number of people, coffee is an important part of life. If you don't believe me, just have a look at how many coffee shops there are in...

https://www.willcycle.com/adventure/camping-coffee/

Original post on social.vivaldi.net

From the #WillCycle archives: 8 biggest Op Snap report mistakes

Op Snap is the system available in England and Wales, where cyclists can report bad driving by uploading video from their helmet cam. However, not all Op Snap reports are […]

Original post on social.vivaldi.net

From the #WillCycle archives: Summer holidays adventures with kids

If you're a parent, you don't need reminding how expensive kids can be, or how difficult it can be to incorporate healthy activity and adventure into family outings. Fortunately, there […]

Cycling Home From Siberia – Rob Lilwall I’m not sure that I’d want to cycle in the Siberian winter, and even if I did, I’m quite sure I wouldn’t simply rely on an untested postie pair of winter over-trousers to keep me warm. Clearly, Lilwall and I have different approaches, but I’ll freely admit his approach makes for a better story. ## Camping. At -40 Celsius Can you imagine camping in temperatures of -40 Celsius? No, me neither! But that’s exactly what Lilwall, and his friend Alistair Humphreys (yes, him of microadventures fame) did, when they set off in October, to cycle back to the UK. Humphries was already most of the way around the world on his own adventure, when Lilwall joined him. As you’d expect, tempers can fray a bit when things get really tough, and really tough is what they were faced with. ## Conflict With Humphries having been cycle touring for a long time, and therefore already developed habits necessary for efficiently making, or breaking camp, Lilwall was struggling to find his feet, so to speak. After suffering through the Russian cold, the crossed the sea to cycle the islands of Japan. It was in Japan where their friendship nearly came to an end. Japan is also where they managed to save their friendship, by splitting up, and travelling on two separate, solo adventures. Humphries, by now almost on the home stretch of his adventure, got back to the UK long before Lilwall did. ## A solo adventure Lots of adventurers write books in which they try and portray how they found love (of some kind). Lilwell actually found love on the road, but you will have to read the book to find out. See also Coospo CS600 smart cycling computer I found the book a very easy read, and a real page turner. Lilwell is remarkably honest throughout the book, which I found refreshing. I have no doubt you will enjoy this book just as much as I did. Highly recommended! Get your copy here, or from any good bookseller. ### Share this: * Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon * Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook * Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp * Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor * Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit * Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email * Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads * Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky * More * * Print (Opens in new window) Print * Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn * Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr * Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest * ### _Related_

From the #WillCycle archives: Cycling Home From Siberia – Rob Lilwall

I'm not sure that I'd want to cycle in the Siberian winter, and even if I did, I'm quite sure I wouldn't simply rely on an untested postie pair of...

www.willcycle.com/cycle-touring/cycling-ho...

Llama Drama, by Anna McNuff Anna McNuff is a British adventurer, perhaps best known for her barefoot, long-distance running. She had this idea of using a scooter (the type that you push with one foot) to travel down the length of South America. To accompany her, McNuff enlisted a friend of hers, Faye. When initial testing (in the UK) showed the disadvantages of using scooters, they changed their plans, and switched to bicycles instead. ## Not the easy way I doubt there’s actually an _easy_ way to cycle the 5 300 miles of South America, but McNuff and her friend decided from the outset to include at least 100 000 metres of climbing. That’s more than 13 Everests! When you throw into the mix the fact the pair of them hardly spoke a word of Spanish, you can see things getting even more complicated. Undeterred, the two adventurers set off. ## Relationship building McNuff and her friend pulled off an awe-inspiring feat, one that would have left many macho men as sobbing wrecks by the roadside. The fact the pair of them are exceptionally tough and resilient human beings is indisputable, and becomes very clear, throughout the book. Despite that, what struck me the most is the very human way they went about it. When you go on a cycling adventure with someone, you are essentially in each other’s company 24/7. That makes it inevitable that tempers will fray, and misunderstandings will occur. What impressed me to no end was the superb way McNuff and her friend dealt with this. I’m not afraid to say that I learnt a great deal about how to be a better human being, simply by reading this book. I believe all but the most callous-hearted people would also benefit from reading it. See also Surrender ## Easy-going McNuff comes across an an exceptionally easy-going person, fully capable of dealing with enormous challenges, while retaining a great sense of humour. Her writing style is easy-going, too, and this book was an absolute pleasure to read. South America can be extremely unforgiving, and the two riders took on some of the continent’s biggest challenges. However, the McNuff tells the story, without any hint of bravado, is refreshing. ## Verdict This is a great read. Llama Drama won’t win awards for the most prosaic of language, and I think that’s one of the book’s greatest strengths. It’s a very honest retelling of an incredible adventure, in language that simply flows, and describes the scenery – and the challenges – very well. I found it difficult to put down, and I have no doubt you’ll feel the same. Get your copy here, or from any good book store. ### Share this: * Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon * Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook * Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp * Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor * Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit * Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email * Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads * Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky * More * * Print (Opens in new window) Print * Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn * Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr * Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest * ### _Related_

From the #WillCycle archives: Llama Drama, by Anna McNuff

Anna McNuff is a British adventurer, perhaps best known for her barefoot, long-distance running. She had this idea of using a scooter (the type that you push with one foot)...

www.willcycle.com/adventure/llama-drama-by...

You are the power For years now I’ve been a vocal convert to dynamo lights. After all, why would you say no to never having to worry about charging your lights, and never running out of battery? While there are interesting debates to be had about the advantages and disadvantages of various different dynamo headlights, that’s not what this post is about. This post is about having USB charging on your bike, and doing so for a fraction of what it’d normally cost. ## Why on-bike USB charging? Well, a better question might be to ask why not? In my case, it’s because I do off-grid cycle touring, wild camping along the same, with no (or limited) access to mains power. Your reasons may be different, but this post is about _how_ to achieve this on a budget, and ignore _why_ you may want to do so. I have a Lumotec IQ2 Luxos light, with integrated USB-charging, but it’s started playing up and I need to replace it. The light I went for is a Fischer. At 70 lux it has exactly the same (normal) lux rating as my old light, but doesn’t have any USB charging. The Luxos is actually capable of 90 lux, but only for short periods of time, and normally outputs 70 lux. However, the Fischer light also costs a fraction of the price, so this is a great trade-off. Seriously – we’re talking £30, versus £190 – that’s a _huge_ difference! ## An overview Dynamos generate (supposedly) 6v of power, but on a fast descent they can generate a great deal more. That might sound like a bonus, but in reality it adds complications that we have to deal with. Dynamos generate alternating current (AC) while USB devices require a very stable direct current (DC). AC current can be plotted as a sine wave, while a perfect USB (DC) current is plotted as a simple straight line. To get from AC to stable USB requires jumping through some hoops. Fortunately, you don’t need to understand the electronics behind this, as other people already did the heavy lifting for us. All _you_ need to do is purchase the components listed here, and assemble it all as instructed. ## Ingredients Well, this is pretty much a recipe for adding dynamo lights and USB-charging to your bike, and any decent recipe has a list of ingredients, right? 1. A front wheel with a hub dynamo. Mine’s a Shimano dynamo hub, which is _slightly_ less efficient than the top-of-the-range Son dynamos, but costs a fraction of the price. You can decide for yourself what hub dynamo you’ll buy. 2. Optional: An overcharge protector. Mine’s a Shimano component. A word of warning here: these devices convert excess current into heat, and they can therefore get a bit hot. They require airflow to dissipate the heat generated. Depending on what converter you’re getting, you may, or may not need this. 3. A dynamo-to-USB converter. There are many models available, but this one’s a decent price. As an added bonus, it contains a waterproof switch, to switch between lights, or charging, and has overcharge protection built in (up to 70v!) 4. A USB-extension cable. All shall be revealed about this. 5. Optional: Have someone 3D-print a USB stem cap for you. 6. Optional: Make a mouldable glue weather cap for the USB port. ## Method If you purchased the converter I linked to above, there are several gotchas (to be fair, they apply to just about any converter). The first is the weatherproof claim. Yes, that enclosure _is_ weatherproof, but only up to a point. The biggest weakness is the open and exposed USB port on the underside, and I _guarantee_ that it’s but a matter of time before you either suffer water ingress, or the port badly rusts. The unit is fairly large, and you have need to find somewhere to fit it to your bike. Remember, you want to be able to access the toggle switch, to switch between USB charging, or dynamo lights. This doesn’t need to be within immediate reach while riding, though that would help if it were the case. Simply run the cable from the dynamo to the converter, and run the cable from the converter to the dynamo lights. I’d suggest running the cables flat against the body of the converter, then taping over them, so you’d have at least some strain relief. Finally, the USB extension lead comes into play. Simply plug that into the unit, then wrap it up in electrical tape, taking care that the USB socket, and the plug of the extension, are completely taped over. Obviously, only do this after you fitted the dynamo power leads, and the wires to your dynamo lights. From that point onwards, you can simply replace the USB-extension lead when it’s rusted or damaged. ## Pass-through charging Unless it’s an emergency, try to not connect your gadget directly to the USB-out socket. Instead, use the converter to charge a power bank. Most power banks support what’s called pass-through charging, meaning they can be charged, while at the same time be charging your gadgets. Sounds brilliant, doesn’t it? Don’t be fooled: pass-through charging is not your friend! In practice, what you’ll find is either the power bank will charge extremely slowly (while being discharged at a faster rate), or more often, the gadgets receiving charge from the power bank will be charging extremely slowly. The way around this is simple: use at least two power banks. One power bank is being charged during the day, when you don’t need lights, while the other is charging your gadgets. Simply rotate the two on a daily basis. This is a FAR more efficient way of keeping kit charged up. ## Water kills USB devices It shouldn’t need saying, but you need a way to keep your power banks dry and protected from rain, or splashes from puddles. The easiest way is simply to carry the one being charged inside a bidon. Feed the wires through the spout, then seal it with hot glue. You’ll want to put some foam padding inside, to stop the power bank rattling around. Being able to remove the power bank means that, when camping overnight, you can take the charged power bank into your tent or bivvy. Remember, cold seriously affects lithium-based batteries, so if it’s cold, keep them inside your sleeping bag overnight. The same goes for any gadgets you’re trying to charge up overnight, when it’s very cold. If you used a stem cap USB adapter, ensure you buy a long enough USB extension lead to reach it, from wherever you mounted the converter. If you wanted to, you could make a port cap for the USB port, using mouldable glue. _Do not_ simply push the glue into the port, as all you’ll do is seal the port up, rendering it useless. Making a port cap should markedly extend the life of the USB extension cable. Instead, use clingfilm, and place the mouldable glue inside the clingfilm (I’d advise a double layer!) That way, once the glue sets, you’d be able to remove the port covering plug you just created. Just remember that the glue will stick to anything not covered by clingfilm. As an alternative to making a port cover, you can buy silicon dust covers. Just be aware that, while I’m sure these would help, I’ve no way of knowing how effective against rain they’d be. ## Finally… Now you should have an on-bike USB-charging system, with replaceable components. Before a ride, insert a power bank into the water bottle, and plug the USB cable from the converter into the power bank, before closing the water bottle. Next, decide if you want to use USB-charging, or dynamo lights, flick the switch on the converter to your preferred option, and start pedalling. All in, this should have cost you £60 or less (excluding the power banks). That’s an enormous saving on any of the options available from the likes of SJS Cycles (who actually normally have excellent prices). If you still have to buy a front wheel with a dynamo hub, they tend to start off around the £70 mark. Add in around £25 for a decent dynamo tail light, and a full, new setup would set you back around £160. That how much you’d pay elsewhere _just_ to add USB-charging to an existing dynamo setup! Now don’t be selfish! Tell ALL your mates, and all the other cyclists about this, and share this post widely. ### Share this: * Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon * Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook * Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp * Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor * Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit * Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email * Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads * Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky * More * * Print (Opens in new window) Print * Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn * Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr * Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest * ### _Related_

From the #WillCycle archives: You are the power

For years now I've been a vocal convert to dynamo lights. After all, why would you say no to never having to worry about charging your lights, and never running...

https://www.willcycle.com/tech/you-are-the-power/

Original post on social.vivaldi.net

From the #WillCycle archives: Top Camping tips

If you're new to camping, the tips on this page are sure to make your camping trip far better! What to takeTentSleeping gearFood-relatedPowerWhere to set up campFlatWaterOut of sightEmergencies What […]

Screenshot of a map of London, with a cycle route in blue superimposed on it. The route forms the name WillCycle.

The #WillCycle #GPSart Generator can also deal with writing. What will YOU use it for? Best be quick - for Easter weekend only, I'm raising the limit for free usage to 10 routes.

Go try it out here: www.willcycle.com/gps-art/

eBike touring eBikes are cool, and anyone who claims that ebikes are somehow "cheating" are simply jealous. On my commute, there's a mile-long climb of mainly a steady 11%, and I know I'm always envious of the ebike riders who breeze past me up there. However, for all their advantages (and there are a great many) ebikes do have some drawbacks. When cycle touring, those drawbacks become clearer. That doesn't at all mean that you cannot go cycle touring on an ebike - many people do just that! All it means […]

From the #WillCycle archives: eBike touring

eBikes are cool, and anyone who claims that ebikes are somehow "cheating" are simply jealous. On my commute, there's a mile-long climb of mainly a steady 11%, and I know...

https://www.willcycle.com/adventure/ebike-touring/

Original post on social.vivaldi.net

From the #WillCycle archives: Chiseldon to Marlborough Railway Path

This scenic 7.7 mile path mostly follows the track of the old Midland and Southwestern Junction Railway, linking Chiseldon and Marlborough. It's a shared path, and also a bridleway, so […]

Original post on social.vivaldi.net

From the #WillCycle archives: Kit Review – Profile Design aero bars & risers

Overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Aero bars on a touring bike? Yes, I fit Profile Design Legacy II aero bars to my touring bike. My primary motivation was not to gain any […]

#NoMoreIn24 – a new challenge There are no shortages of cycling challenges out there – both physical and virtual. They all tend to take the same format: cycle x distance in y time, or cycle x elevation in y time. Of course, these are valid reasons for that: most cycling challenges are aimed at competitive cyclists, and by competitive cyclists I mean those that enter formal events, like sportives, etc. ## A challenge for all cyclists **#NoMoreIn24** is a simple challenge: don’t buy any cycling-related product during ALL of 2024! Yes, that’s a _big_ ask, so there are some rules: 1. Defective, or broken bike parts (or broken beyond repair bicycles) are excluded 2. Defective, irreparable items of clothing you rely on for cycling are excluded 3. All other cycling-related items are included. That means NO other new items, no matter how shiny and desirable they may be! ## Why though? Actually, there are a great many reasons why. A far better question to ask is why not? Think about it: you can still replace parts that are worn out, or that broke, and you can still buy new cycling clothes (but only to replace worn-out/defective items). As a result, you cannot claim that taking on this challenge might interfere with your cycling. With excuses removed, let’s examine some of the benefits. The most obvious one is that you will save money! With a cost of living crisis in full swing, surely that’s a strong motivation? If money doesn’t motivate you, consider the planet, or more specifically, _your_ impact on the planet. No, don’t try and use cheap excuses now, saying “Yes, but what about them over in…”. YOU are responsible for YOUR actions. It really is as simple as that. See also Surviving the storm Even if your own actions are simply a drop in the ocean, remember that the ocean is made of many millions of drops. If we each make a tiny change, those can add up to substantial changes. And wouldn’t you want to have a better future, free from the (worst) risks of climate change? That starts right here, right now, with _you_! ## Invite others If you and me are single drops, let’s get millions of others to join us, so we can create a tsunami of change. If you’re on X/Twitter, simply click here to challenge others to join in. On all social media, please use the **#NoMoreIn24** hashtag, and encourage others to do the same? ### Share this: * Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon * Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook * Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp * Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor * Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit * Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email * Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads * Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky * More * * Print (Opens in new window) Print * Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn * Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr * Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest * ### _Related_

From the #WillCycle archives: #NoMoreIn24 – a new challenge

There are no shortages of cycling challenges out there - both physical and virtual. They all tend to take the same format: cycle x distance in y time, or cycle...

www.willcycle.com/better-world/nomorein24-...