Yesterday I had a grand day out with a handful of leather nuts to the Brooks saddle factory in Birmingham, UK. We were split into 2 groups and had a tour on the factory floor. Where we could see, hear and smell the production of these beautiful leather saddles. The whole production is done in true industrial style, e.g big and noisy with oil and steam (ok just added that last bit for effect).
I do have a weak spot for old industrial craftsmanship, ok CNC, robots are great but each …

Alastair Humphreys: I will be on the top floor of the Iron Duke pub in Victoria station, London at 6.30pm on Tuesday March 9th until about 9pm.

I think the Rainlegs were created for horse riders but soon found its way to cycling and other outdoor activities. The first time I saw them, I honestly thought that it was a gimmick. Yet another thing someone was trying to flog to us cyclist with no real use. After talking with a few cycling friends and actually seeing them in use, I changed my mind.
Even the lure from wiggle and £7 didn’t get me to buy one of the denim coloured ones. We went for the bog standard black …

Today is the sad anniversary of the departure of Sheldon Brown two years ago.
I have never met Sheldon but I have heavily used his website and learned a lot from reading it. If I’m asked where is a good place to learn about bicycles and how to maintain a bicycle, I always send them to Sheldon Browns website.
We are all alive just so long as someone remembers us.
The above quote I totally agree with and I will use and will pass on Sheldon great work to others, thank …

Last year took us to Scotland (Grand tour of Edinburgh) , Wales (3 wet days loop), Surrey Hills (3 days tour with TEA), Isle of Wight (one small wet ride), Pyrenees (more up hills than you can shake a stick at) and Denmark (flatter than flat rides) and a few more day trips and pootles here and there.

I always find something to use them for. Like strapping our tent to the rack on our bicycle or our sleeping bags onto our day pack.

I have never heard about Anne Mustoe until I was told about her untimely passing.
… what she termed her “new career”. When she resolved to cycle round the world, Mustoe was 54, somewhat overweight and unfit, and without any idea of how to mend a puncture. She had not ridden a bike for 30 years, wobbled when she tried again, and she hated camping, picnics and discomfort.
What what (totally speechless)… and reading her obituaries over on Times Online, I’m in total awe of her. She have travel the …

I’m not a big fan of standard drop bars. The main reason is that I don’t feel I got a good grip when it comes to braking when you are riding in the hoods.

Today I passed the 2000 miles mark on my little Tank the Surly Long Haul Trucker \o/ Why haven’t I listened to others before, kinda kicking myself here, when they talked about a touring bicycle. Because it is such a joy to ride. Worth every penny.

We got two Ajungilak air pillows and tested them out for one night and we have a winner.
Yes, you can use a t-shirt stuffed with your spare kit, but it is not the comfiest of things.
At 140g it is probably to heavy for the weight weenie’s but we are looking for comfort and a few more grams would not break the Surlys back.
The pillow is covered in a fleecy cover which you can take off and wash. The inner is a balloon which you blow up with a …