Cycling Resources

Cycling is my main method of transport. I have been on a few cycle tours, largely on my trusty steed: Bob, the Beast of Burden. And I often get my best ideas whilst cycling (contrary to Nietzsche’s view)

Bicycle touring is an excellent way to start out in the adventure world. You can get away with cheap kit, cover long distances without training, and get a real sense of freedom.

Next Challenge Cycling Projects

Cycling Home from Norway – 1,000 miles through Scandinavia after an expedition in the Arctic
1,000 Miles on a Rickshaw – I hold the world record for the longest distance cycled in a pedicab
Three Peaks, Two Wheels – Cycling between the UK’s Three Peaks and climbing up them
Sarah Outen: London to Tokyo – I provided the logistics for the first leg of Sarah’s circumnavigation
Cycling Around Masirah Island on Christmas Day – An alternative festive celebration on a desert island
The London to Isle of Wight and Coast-to-Coast Triathlons – Two ‘real world’ triathlons
Cycling the M25 – Coming soon as part of the Greater London Triathlon

Next Challenge Cycling Articles

10 Tips For Your First Off-Road Cycling Expedition by Tom Allen
10 Tips For Your First Big Bicycle Expedition by Andy Welch
Don’t Cycle Lands End To John O’Groats – Consider the world of alternatives first
Bicycle Karma - A white van pulls up next to me, winds his window and… thanks me
Angry Young Man – A guest blog by controversial record breaker Julian Sayarer from This Is Not For Charity
8 strange situations in which I’ve found myself wearing lycra - Cyclists, I am sure, will relate
The Vehicle of Poets - Famous quotes about the beautiful vehicle
I Write Frequently of Cycling - Yet know little about it…

Cycling Stories

Cold Water Therapy (This Is The Serpentine) – A cold cycle to a cold swim
Mountains & Mole Hills – When a commute becomes a race to the death
London Loves – A moment of connectedness pedalling across Waterloo Bridge

Cycling Adventurers

Alastair Humphreys - 4 years around the world, popular blogger
Tom Allen - Off-road expedition cycling all over the place
Andy Welch - Off-road expedition cycling all over the place
Rob Lilwall - Cycled home from Siberia
Rob Thomson - Cycled and skateboarded Japan to Europe and back
Mark Beaumont – Broke speed record for cycling around the world
James Bowthorpe - Broke Mark Beaumont’s speed record raising money for Alzheimer’s research
Julian Sayarer – Broke James Bowthorpe’s record under the banner This Is Not For Charity
Peter Gostellow - Cycled 50,000km from Japan to England and later through Africa
Friedel & Andrew - 60,000km+ all over the world. Fantastic resources website.

Books/Films

There are probably thousands of books and films about cycling but here are a few that I’ve read/watched and would recommend:

The Man Who Cycled the World

Great book and series about Mark Beaumont’s record attempt.

Adventure Cycle Touring

The best handbook you can buy.

Cycling Home from Siberia

Rob Lilwall starts in the deep end of a Siberian winter.

The Wind in My Wheels

80,000 miles with Josie Dew.

The Flying Scotsman

Not much to do with expeditions but it’s a great film.

Janapar – Amazing movie about Tom Allen’s journey, entirely self-filmed. The book’s great too.
Moods of Future Joys – Wonderfully honest account of Al Humphreys’ 4 year trip. Spreads into a second book – Thunder & Sunshine. He has a third book too: 10 Lessons from the Road.

Resources

How To Cycle Around The World by Tim Moss - A chapter in my book How To Get To The North Pole And Other Iconic Adventures. You can download the individual ebook chapter for a couple of quid.
The Adventure Cycle-Touring Handbook by Stephen Lord – The bible for bicycle expeditions.
The Travelling Two – Impressive set of resources, reviews, country information, podcasts etc. They have a free Bike Touring Basics ebook too.
Audax – Organise super cheap group cycling events across the UK
Adventure Cycling Association – American association with useful PDF downloads on touring
Adventure Cycling Guide – Simple website with useful expedition touring advice
Andes by Bike – Lovely resource from Harriet and Neil Pike for anyone cycling in South America
CTC – The Cyclists’ Touring Club is a membership organisation offering advice, events, insurance and maps
Sheldon Brown – Great down-to-earth explanations of many technical bike-related matters