Category: News
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The Adventures of Charlie the Scrapyard Touring Bike: Iceland
This is a guest post from Kelly Diggle, a traveller and blogger who in 2015 became the 4th owner of Charlie the Scrapyard Touring Bike (read Charlie’s full story here). Here’s her account of pedalling Charlie around the perimeter of Iceland… In the spring of 2015 I found myself boarding a plane to Spain. It wasn’t for […] Continue reading →
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How Charlie The Scrapyard Touring Bike Made It Halfway Round The World (And How You Can Take Him Further)
This is a guest post by Charlie Rowen, the fifth in a series of owner-riders of Charlie the Scrapyard Touring Bike, who I rescued from my local tip and refurbished back in 2013. The following year, at the end of his maiden voyage, I nonchalantly launched him into the world with a new owner, Tegan, on […] Continue reading →
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Safe roads & tailwinds to Janapar Grant winner Jess Hargreaves!
A little over a year ago, I was having a chat with a small group of friends who all made a living – one way or another – from adventure. We’d been having these irregular meetings for a couple of years. Ideally they took place down the pub, but often – the lifestyle of the […] Continue reading →
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Bikepacking The Transcaucasian Trail: Your Input Kindly Requested
Today I’m departing the UK on a brand new adventure. This one’s rather different to my previous trips, in a couple of ways. Firstly, it’s vehicle supported, which means I’ll be carting my bike around on top of a Land Rover. Second, it’s got a broader social & environmental goal attached to it, which is […] Continue reading →
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Your Frequently-Asked Questions About The Janapar Grant, Answered
The response to the announcement of the Janapar Grant has been overwhelmingly positive – but then with £2,500 worth of bikes and equipment up for grabs, that’s no great surprise. What’s been interesting is the questions I’ve been fielding about the specifics of the idea. Some have been obvious, some not so much. They’ve certainly […] Continue reading →
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The UK Cycle Touring Festival Returns For 2016! Get Your Early Bird Ticket Now
Quick version: Earlybird tickets for the 2nd UK Cycle Touring Festival are on sale! Click here to get yours. Last year’s inaugural Cycle Touring Festival turned out to be a really powerful celebration of bicycle travel, and a massively enjoyable way to spend a weekend. If you came along last time, I hope you’ll be […] Continue reading →
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Introducing The Janapar Grant, A Travel Grant For Adventurous Young British Cyclists
Today I’m excited to announce one of the big new projects I’m starting this year: the Janapar Grant. This is a brand new venture aiming to help young people begin a rite-of-passage journey at a time in their lives when it will benefit them most, with the fewest possible strings attached. Check it out here. The structure of […] Continue reading →
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What are your adventure cycling plans for 2016?
Over the recent holiday season, I’m sure your mind has wandered towards what 2016 might have in store for you. Perhaps you’re dreaming up new bicycle expeditions of your own. Perhaps you’re in the middle of a big cycling journey already. Perhaps you’re happy to continue experiencing vicariously the adventures of others. Or perhaps you’re making your first […] Continue reading →
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An Affordable & Unique Gift Idea For The Armchair Traveller In Your Family
Yes, it’s the time of year when every author needs to come up with a gift idea… Not wanting to break tradition, I’ve got a handful of paperbacks of my first book Janapar: Love on a Bike to autograph and sell at a discount. I do think a signed edition would make a nice Christmas present for […] Continue reading →
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The Future Of TomsBikeTrip.com
Tuesday’s announcement appears to have resulted in mild confusion about the fate of this long-running cycle touring blog. Allow me to set the record straight: TomsBikeTrip.com is here to stay! The launch of TomAllen.info reflects the fact that I have interests and stories beyond bicycle travel. But travelling on two wheels remains the thing that’s most precious to me […] Continue reading →