This is the current plan for @heavymetaltruants.bsky.social, thanks to @cyclingstu.bsky.social @plw18.bsky.social, @cbcycles.bsky.social for either info or confirmation my route is fine! A big, flat ISH start. A shorter, medium lumpy middle. A slightly longer, medium lumpy end!

This is part From Brewood, back into Wales, out towards Bristol and back via Salisbury. If anyone along this route could have a look to make sure I haven't chosen some hideous roads, I'd be so appreciative. ridewithgps.com/routes/54674...

This is part 2 From Leeds, down into Wales, ending at my pal Avril's in Brewood. If anyone along this route could have a look to make sure I haven't chosen some hideous roads, I'd be so appreciative. ridewithgps.com/routes/54674...

For this years @heavymetaltruants.bsky.social I'm attempting the Trooper again.. 1610km between the 1st-9th August. And I have a plan. But I'd like some route help. Pt1 is pretty much sorted, it's basically the route I did for Parallels last year, but without visiting Whitby. Links in 2 next posts

For this years @heavymetaltruants.bsky.social I'm attempting the Trooper again.. 1610km between the 1st-9th August. And I have a plan. But I'd like some route help. Pt1 is pretty much sorted, it's basically the route I did for Parallels last year, but without visiting Whitby. Links in 2 next posts

Next Heavy Metal Cycling club ride is next Sunday! A 66.6km jaunt out to North Weald airfield from Stratford. If you're keen to join, RSVP here strava.app.link/TISfNBQJi2b (Route is undergoing some amendments by the Captain!)

Just over a week ago I finished a 165km overnight ride, shaking, with stomach cramps. 6 days on the toilet followed. Finally back to 100% and smashed a 100Km ride with a club mate.... I pulled out of this weekend's Norfolk 360 event on Drs orders, but happy to say I'll be there volunteering!

I'm selling some cycling caps, or Casquettes if you're fancy, as I have waaay too many and some that don't actually fit! £8 Inc p&p for each. My head is 58cm for ref. L to R Albion fits well Morvelo Ride Everything is a little tight Paria pink/black fits well Paria Commute is a little tight

Cleaned up my seat tube and added this ace Stridsland decal. Updated my Brooks saddle as well!

Early morning Epping forest slop Hot chocolates Ace chats with @alexandermilas.bsky.social

Beast/party mode activated. Shortened the cranks, raised the saddle, was left with bars too low... Thankfully Redshift have the Top Shelf bars! First proper ride on this setup later! Also, the Tailfin Hydromounts are amazing!

Without a doubt the best £10 I spend every year! @veloviewer.com delivers the stats that care about and looks awesome doing it! The stats. 2025 - Longest ever ride to date, Apidura Parallels plus extra. Increased my elevation from last year. Rode for longer - party due to riding off road!

Last day in the North for awhile, so why not beast yourself! Ticked off 2 of the Top 100 climbs in the process!

The Yorkshire Dales & Cycling, fixing my mildly dented heart today. First proper day out on the bike since I arrived, just not felt like being out alone, getting that text on Xmas eve knocked me a bit sideways, I'd let my defences down more than I thought I guess. 1/2

At least someone wants to hang out with me... Getting the "it's not you, it's me/I hope we can be friends" text this evening broke me a little.

Leed/Northern folx... I'll be in the North from 23rd to the 29th (arrive 22nd leave 30th). If anyone wants to meet up for a ride and a chat, hit me up!

I’ve been working a lot with Fairlight Cycles, who recommend people come to me for a fit before they order their bike This Saturday I had three Fairlight fits. Only one of them was through Fairlight. The other two mentioned social media @bikesbooksburritos.bsky.social @carlafrancome.bsky.social

For so long , many who could have challenged bigotry & bullying have bowed down meekly to the notion of “but these people have legitimate concerns” - at the same time they have found it easy to attack and belittle progressiveness - still the cowardly kids that cheer the bully

Test packing for my Friday Bivvy overnighter.

vm.tiktok.com/ZNR13xyGn/ 2 1/2 minutes of lush trails and head winds.

The plan Ride to London Bridge Train to Gatwick Airport Ride 100km to Hastings Ride 100km back After hideous headwinds Torrential rain I left @ryanbybike.bsky.social after 140km and headed to East Grinstead (I didn't need to complete the 200!) Now on a train to East Croydon

My Hope/SON Dynamo wheel is back with me! Just in time for a chilly 200km DIY Audax tomorrow 🙈

Finessing my cockpit for the next 2 rides. I'll have my dynamo back by the weekend, but it's not the greatest off road. The 200km on sat has a few sections off road. The bivvy ride next Friday is mostly off road, and will be significantly bigger than that. Bring on the cold weather rides!!

The Guardian are reporting a significant increase in Jewish people voting for the Green Party. It's almost like many of us grew up learning a history of persecution & violence. We don't oppose the Genocide in spite of being Jewish but because of it. Never again for everyone.

Old Yorkshire proverb (not really). If you clean your drivetrain, prepare for rain. Chain off, popped it in the ultrasonic before trying out KMC Go drip wax. Cleaned the cassette, chain ring, jockeys. So of course today is the worst weather of the week! Good test for my Gorewear jacket though.

🎃🎃Happy Halloween👻👻

It's new crankset day!! Went for a Rotor Aldhu in 155MM That's 15mm shorter than I run at present! Thanks to @bikefit.bsky.social for the Rotor nod and for suggesting shorter cranks in the first place!

Selling some bike bits to buy some more bike bits. The neverending cycle (geddit) www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?s... Lezyne Multi tool Hope Gravity Pedals (orange) Shimano GRX Di2 bits Shimano GRX 820 bits Some barely worn cycling shoes that are too narrow for me 🥲

Day one of our Neolithic North ride. We arrived at the Rollright stones just as the rain starts. The good news is I'm not in most of the videos 😉

Got some great footage of my ride partner getting all nerdy at the Neolithic sites we visited. But to start, here's us descending from the Yorkshire Dales!

🚨 Over 18,000 people have already emailed the Home Office demanding they shut down this Nazi gig. Let’s turn up the pressure. If you haven’t added your name yet, now’s the time – and don’t forget to share the link with friends and family. secure.hopenothate.org.uk/page/176528/...

Shimano GRX 827 derailleur is close! Don't mess this up DHL!

Days 2 and 3 of my weekend of bikes.. Headed out mid morning on Sunday for 114km out into the wilds of Essex, before retiring at a club mates house. Headed off early Monday for the 50km ride over to Epping. t Met up with another club mate, Greg, my Neolithic North co rider, for beer and epic food.

1. Ready for day 1 of a weekend of bikes. This is the lightest it'll be all weekend. A 211km Audax with @ryanbybike.bsky.social Loading it up a little for tomorrow's rides as a test for the North Ride* 2. Less ready! (*tm)

It's planned. All accommodation sorted. We leave Sept 3rd! 3 days of 200+km 1 day of 130+ km Day 4, the short day, includes Hartside pass. This is not the sole reason I'm swapping the Faran to a Shimano XT 1x 12s wireless Derailleur, with a 10-51 cassette, but it's on the list!

@billhulley.bsky.social Hey dude. Yeah, WS is a bust so far. The one reply has been an unavailability. Tried sleepybike, but it appears to be stuck on a screen. Can't access anything 🤷

Plotting a ride North with a club mate, all going great. Nights 1 and 2 accommodation sorted 1 Cheap hotel 2 A friends house Night 3 Near Penrith... It's all holiday lets, bougie cottages, tree houses or cottages. Until you get over Hartside pass, then there's a £25 a night hostel. 1/2

This may be the best rendering of my bike I've ever seen! Thanks to Bicycle Pubes on Instagram! Definitely haven't ordered little 4x3cm stickers or discussed a tattoo!

Apidura Parallels 2025. Ended up 13th out of all the participants, pretty happy with that. Feel confident I could have added 100/150km to my total. Wrote some words for Apidura about it. www.apidura.com/journal/para...

For those who may not have seen this because I posted it at an ill-advised time: Essentially, ten messages for a hypothetical or actual man, who thinks that children should stay off the roads and stick to the park.

Apidura Parallels 2025 completed! A tough weekend. Mistakes were made. Will lessons be learnt???

Florence the machine is 90% packed (just need to pack more food and add the water) and ready for my 394km ride to Whitby. Then an 114km ride over to Leeds! Gonna be toasty.

Finally have proof I completed my 666km off road for @heavymetaltruants.bsky.social Would have posted yesterday, but was distracted by a broken bike 😂 You can still sponsor me here sportsgiving.co.uk/sponsorship/...

Day 3 of @heavymetaltruants.bsky.social The Beast 666km off road, over 11 days. vm.tiktok.com/ZNdS8N8ns/ (Tried to upload direct, failed) Once again for 4 amazing charities Nordoff & Robbins @teenagecancertrust.bsky.social Childline @savethechildren.org

Heavy Metal Truants : Ride the 13th I'll be riding 666km off road! Again it's for 4 fantastic charities- Nordoff and Robbins The Teenage Cancer Trust Childline & Save the Children Anything you can give will be greatly appreciated. sportsgiving.co.uk/sponsorship/...

Has one good day over a good distance and gets all overconfident. So he plots an Apidura Parralels route. To complete after I've ridden my club ride.

Perfect antidote to a crappy week. Rode down to Reigate to meet up with Simon , Christo and Nick for some Surrey Hills gravel. Even managed to get some Why They Ride portraits in the bag. Managed 157km in the end, getting back to where I want to be!

2nd gravel event in 2 weeks. This time the epic Pan Celtic Gravel Rally, in Eyri national park! 94km with 2300m of up! A tough but amazing weekend with my Heavy Metal Cycling pals.

Panaracer Dirty Reiver - The Dirty 130 1st weekend of gravel riding. 1st ever proper gravel event. Loved it!

There are only a few more hours left to sign this. There is currently a woman on trial, accused of an illegal abortion with her name, image and private life all over the media. She faces life in prison. This is not in the public interest. Meanwhile, rape is effectively decriminalised in this country