I had just retired from nearly 30 years of teaching in high school. I was supposed to be resting and preparing for a 450 mile bikepacking event in the north of England but when Al asked me if I wa...
Introducing Family and Friends to the Outdoors by Jim Sutherland
Introducing your family and friends to the outdoors can be one of the most rewarding things you might ever do! However, it does come with a huge responsibility for their safety, health, and well-b...
Make Your Own Bike Panniers by Jim Sutherland
Last winter I learned how to choose the right fabric, work a sewing machine and make my own, semi-packable bike pannier. This short piece is about how it went for me, what I learned, and what I’d ...
How to Care for Your UL Zippers by Mandy Redpath
Ultralight backpacking gear walks a fine line between weight and durability. That being said, ultralight gear can also be durable with the right care. Regular zipper maintenance is crucial to the...
The Moray Trails Twenty 20 by Jim Sutherland
This grassroots, low key, charity bikepacking event came about in the depths of the COVID - 19 pandemic after one of the first overnighters that will forever be known as ‘BewareFarmFolk’. The form...
The Tor Divide, May 2024 by Jim Sutherland
I am not quite sure how and when I found out about The Tor Divide but I entered sometime in 2023. I had missed riding in the Peak District the year before on my version of LEJOG/GBDuro so I grabbe...