2022- As published in Cycle Magazine and on the Cycling UK website here https://www.cyclinguk.org/cycle-magazine/great-rides-going-solo-great-north-trail The Great North Trail is one of the UK’s longest off-road routes. Cycling UK’s Cycling Development Officer for Tyneside, Jordan Matthews planned to do it in ten days during the summer of 2020 The pandemic put an abrupt end to my round-the-worldContinueContinue reading “Great North Trail”
Author Archives: pete1293
GBDuro – Stage 4
236.57miles 30hrs 1 min 16,467ft gain Day 10 – Monday 21st August Last stage. As there was no where to sleep outside, at this CP all the riders slept inside, and to be honest I think I got my worst nights sleep. Snoring, walking, doors slamming. I would have rather have been in my tent. Oh well.ContinueContinue reading “GBDuro – Stage 4”
GBDuro – Stage 3
52hrs 44 mins 319.52miles 26,741ft gain Day 7 – Friday 18th August After an evening of lots of food, chat and clothes drying in the Garrigill village hall with the amazing volunteers supplying endless food and drinks, an early night beckoned. I had luckily managed to fix my tent pole with a mixture of ziptiesContinueContinue reading “GBDuro – Stage 3”
GBDuro – Stage 2
55 hrs 17 mins 293.65 miles 29,478ft gain Day 4 – Tuesday 15th August After trying to dry my kit in rather damp conditions and getting a pretty good sleep, I woke up around 6 to try and finish this process and pack my kit away to give me plenty of time before the startContinueContinue reading “GBDuro – Stage 2”
GBDuro – Stage 1
60 hrs 17 mins 409.44 m 38,100 ft elevation gain Day 1 – Saturday 12th August My 30th Birthday. And what a way to spend it. The day started with a pedal down to the start line, around 10 miles or so, with a couple of other racers who were staying at the same accommodation.ContinueContinue reading “GBDuro – Stage 1”
GBDuro – Preamble
GBDuro / Off-road Lands End to John O’ Groats via Wales / A long squiggly line from the bottom to the top of the UK Map Credit: Philappa Battye Around 2000km in total 4 stages – Stop at the end of each stage to recover and all start at the same time. Lowest aggregate timeContinueContinue reading “GBDuro – Preamble”
HT550 – Day 1
The few days before the race, me and Steph came up to Loch Lomond, did a bit of camping, walking, biking and a bit of spa time too in a fancy hotel. A mini break before what would prove to be a tough few days on the bike. This put me in good stead thoughContinueContinue reading “HT550 – Day 1”
Attempt at walking The Bob Graham Round
Walking/running isn’t my forte, however I have always dreamed, and still do, of running the Bob Graham Round. The way my body is after various injuries, it currently isn’t in a state to run it, so in July 2021 I asked my Uncle Paul if he wanted to join me in an attempt to walkContinueContinue reading “Attempt at walking The Bob Graham Round”
SRMR 4 – Race
Friday 12th August The race wasn’t starting until midnight, so we had the whole day to get sorted. I went over to the sign on, which involved a couple of trips back and forth to take bike, bags and cardboard box. Sign on was quick and gave us a chance to chat to other riders,ContinueContinue reading “SRMR 4 – Race”
SRMR – 3 – Bike touring Kyrgyzstan
Monday 8th August 63.94mi Distance 8:09:24 Moving Time 8,842ft Elevation Gain To acclimatise to the altitude before the race, I planned a 3 day ride, 2 day camp on the 1st pass of the race. I organised with another racer to meet up at the Lenin Statue at 9am. After a bit of faffing my end,ContinueContinue reading “SRMR – 3 – Bike touring Kyrgyzstan”
Jordan Matthews 