Spring 2022 I once again quit my job the get back to basics.
The initial plan was to be on the road for three months starting in South West Portugal. Six months and 7700km later I finished the trip in Istanbul. The blog for this trip can be followed on my Polarsteps blog or on Strava.
Posts in category Bikepacking
Shane cycles Europe
Spring 2022 I once again quit my job the get back to basics.
The initial plan was to be on the road for three months starting in South West Portugal. Six months and 7700km later I finished the trip in Istanbul. The blog for this trip can be followed on my Polarsteps blog or on Strava.
Bikingman Oman race Pt 3
I was sleeping in the room next to Georgi so thought that a great tactic would be to lie on my back and snore for four hours keeping her awake then shoot off. “How long is too long?” was therefore 4 hours. Which would wake me at 1230, A relaxed breakfast then on the road by 1am, the perfect time to start day three, and a serious c [...]
Bikingman Oman race Pt 2
” I’d drastically over achieved my wildest expectations for day one. I felt proud and content, all that was needed now was to consolidate it all with four hours sleep then hang in for three more days.”
To read pt 1 first click >>HERE<<
I’d set my countdown timer for 4 hours while brushing my teeth, using [...]
Bikingman Oman race Pt 1
In an age when unsupported Ultra endurance events in all shapes and sizes are popping up all over the place Bikingman Oman is the package tour of Endurance cycling races which includes:
Fixed published route with gps track and “survival map” showing food/water stops along the way.
Mainly quiet main roads.
Two manned [...]
Bikepacking Trans Germany (BTG): Pt 7
Day 9 Monday
Detlev, Patrick and myself had finished within an hour of each other the previous evening and all camped within a couple of kilometres of each other. My alarm went off at 4am and it was show time. I knew I probably had a two hour head start on Patrick, and if I was lucky an hour or more on Detlev. There was a supermarket in town [...]
Bikepacking Trans Germany (BTG): Pt 6
Day 7 Saturday
I felt fresh despite the 4am start, I was eager to closed the 25km between Patrick O and myself and hopefully leave Peter F behind while he slept. If they stuck to their usual routine I guessed I had a little over 2 hours to do my damage. The cold morning air and bitter head wind drained my energy quickly, not to mention the cr [...]
Bikepacking Trans Germany (BTG): Pt 5
Day 6 Friday
The cool morning air felt refreshing as I left the stuffy hotel, sleeping indoors after a few days wild camping always feels a little claustrophobic. But the nice bed, shower and access to electric had done my moral wonders and my clothes were smelling fresh again. Sadly breakfast didn’t start until 7am, which seemed like [...]
Bikepacking Trans Germany (BTG): Pt 4
Day 4 Wednesday.
I’d had the perfect sleep until my alarm sounded at 0430, 5am and 0530, eventually I dragged myself out of bed and was on the road at 6am. Arriving in town at 7am just as the supermarket and bakery were opening. Just before town I’d found Morgan packing up his gear. “where the fuck did you come from?” [...]
Bikepacking Trans Germany (BTG): Pt 3
Day 2 Monday.
My alarm sounded at 0530 after a reasonable six hours sleep, I assumed that nobody had passed me in the night or I’d slept through the sound of tires grinding through the gravel only 10m from my tent. 15 minutes later I was on the move again. I’m not a breakfast person so a hand full of nuts while packing up is usua [...]
Bikepacking Trans Germany (BTG): Pt 2
With 60+ riders on narrow cycle paths and promised single track the neutralized start of the first kilometers was a good idea. As predicted the riders spread out nicely over the first hour. I started almost last and slowly made my way forward to be ahead of the riders with bulky gear before any single track and bike carrying started.
BTG Pt1 [...]
Bikepacking Trans Germany (BTG): Pt 1
The pre race BBQ and briefing was a low key affair at a swimming pool just outside Basel. Riders dribbled in from around Europe and further afield. Trackers and race numbers were handed out and there was a short and simple briefing by Achim, he didn’t seem too comfortable talking to a crowd, but that is logical as the BTG has gone in 3 [...]
My Freedom Challenge. A story about a...
The Race Across South Africa takes place in June/July each year. It is a 2300 km ( with a total cumulative ascent is over 37000 metres), non-stop, self-navigated mountain bike race starting in Pietermaritzburg KwaZulu-Natal and ending in Wellington near Cape Town. Riders are allowed a maximum of 26 days to complete the ride.
Blistered sore f [...]