Cycling
5th Oct 2017 Salomon Skin Pro 15 Set Running Backpack
I have previously tested a Skin S-Lab Salomon bag, but though it is ace, it's not big enough for runs which require full winter kit. Well, it is big enough, but stopping to get something out of...
26th Jul 2017 Bikepacking Guidebook by Wild Things Publishing
Full title: Mountain Bike Camping Adventures On The Wild Trails Of Britain By Laurence McJannet At this year's Sheffield Adventure Film Festival there were enough films submitted on...
4th Jul 2017 MSR Flex 3 System - Cookware
MSR have a certain genius for designing clever kit. The Flex Systems are essentially nesting sets of cooking pans, plates / bowls, and cups. I'd intended to get the Flex 4 System as we are a...
15th Jun 2017 Mallorca 312
Here's my article on the Mallorca 312 Sportive which featured in Totally Active Magazine.
5th May 2017 VauDe Men's Larice Jacket
Weighing in at just 270g this isn’t the lightest fully waterproof jacket on the market, but it's a decent contender. It has been designed for ski touring, but obviously will work for any...
9th Dec 2016 Polaris Pack Me Jacket & Torsion Shirt
All of this week I've been reviewing Polaris Bikewear suitable for the winter (Monday - Cadence Bob Tights, Tue - RBS Overshoes, Wed - Blitz Gloves, Thu - Windsheer Windproof Jersey). As it's...
8th Dec 2016 Polaris Windsheer Windproof Jersey
Almost completing the set of reviews this week of Polaris Bikewear kit - Cadence Bib Tights (Monday), RBS Overshoes (Tuesday), Blitz Windproof Gloves (Wednesday) - is the Windshear Windproof...
7th Dec 2016 Polaris Blitz Gloves
Wednesday's Polaris Bikewear reviews comes on the heels of the Cadence Bib Tights (Monday) and the RBS Overshoe (Tue). Today it’s the turn of the Tornado Blitz Winter Cycling Gloves. ...
6th Dec 2016 Polaris RBS Overshoes
Yesterday's winter bike kit review was the Cadence Bib Tights. Today's is the RBS Overshoes. I mentioned yesterday that any reflective material on the lower legs is more visible than anywhere...
5th Dec 2016 Polaris Cadence Bib Tights
I've been a while in getting this kit reviewed as it was simply too warm to wear and use until recently. I'd been aware of the Polaris brand for many years, having never quite got around to doing...
5th Oct 2016 LED Lenser XEO19R Head Torch & Bike Light
The LED XEO19R is a beast of a torch. Boasting up to 2,000 lumens and a throw distance of 300m it’s the most powerful light I've yet owned. Not only that, but it comes with more accessories...
4th Jul 2016 Polaris - Mini Adventure Cycle Kit
Now I’d driven past the Polaris offices in Dronfield numerous times over the years, but never owned any of their kit. Thankfully this has now been rectified, but this review will be focused...
18th Apr 2016 Salomon Fast Wing Hoodie
I recently arrived at my folks house after a long bike ride. My Dad asked where my waterproof was so I tossed him the little tennis ball sized stuff-sack that contained the Salomon Fast Wing...
11th Apr 2016 VauDe Aqua Deluxe Box (Handlebar Bag)
I took this box out on its first outing over the weekend. I was headed on a long ride from the Pea District to Snowdonia and wanted a means of transporting more than I could fit in my pockets,...
13th Nov 2015 Magicshine Eagle 600 USB Bicycle Light
59.I've had a couple of Magicshine lights in the past (MJ880 | MJ886 Headtorch)so had high expectations of this one too. Whereas the previous ones have been real work-horse models to illuminate a...
13th Oct 2015 Alpkit Brukit Stove & Billy System
Alpkit Brukit Review I already own a number of stoves so felt a little indulgent getting this one, but a) it's inexpensive, and b) it fills a very useful gap. Retailing at £35 for both the...
23rd Sep 2015 VauDe Power Lizard Lightweight Tent
VauDe Power Lizard Review Before starting on the review I have to say that I love the name. Power Lizard! Tents seem to have a long history of cool names. Perhaps it's a factor of them having...
22nd Jul 2015 Rapha Pro Climbing Team Set
I only really started cycling a couple of years ago and have managed until now with fairly low spec kit from the likes of Lidl and Aldi. It was with a great deal of interest then that I rode the...
30th Jun 2015 LED Lenser NEO Headtorch
This isn't a torch to run or cycle with, but it's one I often take running and cycling, as well as camping, and most other occasions when I know a torch is going to come in handy. Why? Because...
20th Apr 2015 Sealskinz All Season Gloves
Introduction Sealskinz have been one of those brands that I've (not deliberately) somehow avoided over the years so I thought I'd best try them out. A month or so back I took part in an overnight...
11th Dec 2014 VauDe Aqua Back 24l Pannier
Introduction Having done some research on the type of panniers to get I opted for fully waterproof - there's an argument that you are better off going for non waterproof ones, and keeping your...
9th Dec 2014 Frog 55 Children's Bike
Introduction We'd been meaning to upgrade our now 7 (then 6) year old's bike from a good, but not geared, bike for too long. We're keen cyclists and we wanted to get her a bike that would allow...
25th Nov 2014 Raidlight LED Running Vest
I had a conversation with a friend a few weeks back about the merging of technical kit with fashion and we quickly moved on to discuss the combining of 'real' technology such as AI, nano-computer...
5th Nov 2014 Thule Pack N Pedal Cummuter Pannier
Introduction Panniers would usually come in pairs, but this is designed specifically for commuting so works by itself. First off, it's not a lightweight, but then it doesn't really need to be on...
3rd Nov 2014 Rab Atmos Maya Jacket
Introduction I'll dispense with the intro about lightweight gear as it's a recurring theme in many of my reviews. Suffice to say that this one fits the bill neatly. A minimalist waterproof jacket...
20th Oct 2014 Rab Boreas Pull-on Jacket
Introduction If you've read any of my other reviews you'll know that I am a keen advocate of lightweight kit. The Boreas Pull-on is just that. Weighing just 259g and packing down into a fist...
16th Oct 2014 Quickhiker Ultralight 4 Tent - Decathlon
Introduction It came as something of a surprise to discover that very few tent manufacturers make a lightweight 4 person tent. I discovered this ahead of a recent cycle touring trip to Denmark....
15th Jul 2014 Rab Neutrino 400 Sleeping Bag
Introduction It seems fitting that after writing a Blog piece on supporting local businesses I should now be writing a review of a company who, as one of their selling points, point out that...
3rd Jul 2014 VR Lite Alpine Maya Jacket - RAB
Introduction I have two young boys so whenever we are out and about I am invariably carrying my kit and theirs, be it spare jackets on a day-walk, or full camping gear if out overnight. It means...
12th Jun 2014 Smart Wool Merino NTS Baselayer
A Rambling Introduction on brand loyalty As event organisers Matt Heason and I spend oodles of time designing eye-catching documents to woo potential sponsors. We have solid stats on ticket...
1st May 2014 Beinn 26 Small - Isla Bike & Ortlieb Panniers - Review
This is the second Isla Bike we've had. The first was a Beinn 20 Small and was reviewed here. That was for our youngest and since the review he has gone from strength to strength on the bike. I'd...
10th Apr 2014 Muc-Off Bike Cleaning Products
I was watching the new Steve Peat documentary film Won't Back Down last week and was somewhat taken aback to see a bottle of Muc-Off in some footage of Steve way back in the early nineties....
5th Mar 2014 Purple Harry Bike Cleaning Products
When I were a lad I remember sitting for (seemingly) hours after a ride polishing my bike clean and lubricating the moving parts. Currently my lads are too young to pass that sort of job onto...
28th Jan 2014 Running Food - Chia Charge
I was half way through a 21 mile race a couple of months back and was struggling. Approaching a check point a friend caught me up and I managed to stay with her for about a mile at which point she...
11th Dec 2013 Isla Bike - Beinn 20 Small Review
Our kids first bikes were basic affairs, heavier than lead, ineffective brakes and with tiny wheels. They'd both actually started off on balance bikes (bikes with no pedals that teach them how to...
21st Nov 2013 Dixon Sport RX - Prescription Glasses
For years I've run and biked and struggled to see properly. It doesn't really matter on a nice day when you're pootling along, but when the light levels drop, you p;lunge into a copse of trees, or...
16th Oct 2013 SPI Running Pouch
There's not a whole lot that I can write about this belt apart from the fact that it's a great little idea. So it's a sunny day and you are heading out for a run. None of your articles of clothing...