Calderdale’s been sun-drenched and dusty this July. A heatwave that's baked the valley’s trails into dry, cracked ribbons. The usual bogs? Gone. The reservoirs? Low and lonely. There’s a hosepipe ban and the rivers are barely whispering, but the riding? Superb. I’ve been mixing it up...
JennRide 2025: South Lakes Adventure with Ian Varley 76 miles · 10,000 ft of climbing · One epic bivvy sunrise There’s Something About JennRide The weather was hot and humid. There’s something special about the 100-mile JennRide that keeps me coming back to the South Lakes year after year....
A Van, VE Day & Vistas: A Channel Islands Adventure There’s something about piling into a van with your mates, a stack of bikes, and just enough kit to get by that screams freedom. This time, the destination wasn’t our usual wild trails or remote Scottish bothies...
April’s kicked off in true Yorkshire fashion — blue skies, a biting breeze, and just enough dust on the trails to coat your calves like icing on a flapjack. But before I could enjoy any of that, I had to make a detour...
Exploring Thetford Forest: A 56-Mile Gravel Adventure On Saturday, March 22nd, I embarked on a 56-mile gravel ride around the picturesque Thetford Forest, organised by Gravel X. With a route comprising 65% gravel and 35% tarmac, this event promised a perfect blend of rugged terrain and...
March is here, and the weather is starting to shift in Calderdale and Kirklees. While it’s still a bit chilly, the dry conditions are perfect for hitting the trails. The crisp air and sun breaking through the clouds make for ideal mountain biking conditions. Whether...
Barbers, Barista and Bikes A sunny spin which would incorporate a trip to the Barbers and coffee at Culture in Slaithwaite. Lovely hills and great descending down Moulson Lane would take me back to West Vale. ...
The relentless grey cloud that has stubbornly clung to the UK for the past two weeks has finally lifted. After a couple of weeks of a cold easterly wind cutting through everything, the sky has opened up, revealing a much-needed glimpse of blue. It’s a...
Riding a singlespeed mtb around Calderdale in early February is a test of grit. The air is cold, the roads and bridleways are wet, the climbs feel steeper than ever. Mist clings to the moors, and puddles stretch across the lanes. But there’s something pure...