Author: Crispin
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How to savour the sheer joy of spring on a bike ride
Here in the Northern Hemisphere, it is Spring. Full glorious spring. I am blessed to live in Brussels, surrounded on the south and east by the rich Sonian Forest and on all sides by fields. Within ten minutes, I can be out in the thick of nature. And goodness how fast it is changing at the…
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Six practical tips for taking a touring bike on a TGV train in France
Taking a bike on a train in Europe should be easy and a win-win for the train company and the cyclist. For the train company, it encourages people to take more trips instead of taking a car or plane. It is quicker and less prone to traffic snarl-ups than bus services. For the cyclist, it is easier to…
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The simple guide to what to bring for a great day’s bike ride
When I have been asking around with friends for the next post that they would like to see, a lot of them have asked me for advice on what to take on a day ride. So below I have set out my own checklist in rough order of importance. Feel free to adapt as you wish…
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Smart Cycling: When to Hop on a Train or Bus for a Better Bike Tour
I was listening to Andrew P Sykes’ excellent Cycling Europe podcast recently when I heard him say that one of the bike touring lessons that he had learnt rather late is that you should be ready to take public transport during your bike tour. Yet I know many bike tourists who feel that they have to cycle…
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Seven reasons why you should buy a bike GPS
When you first start riding distances, whether day rides or bike tours, buying a bike GPS can seem expensive and unnecessary, especially when you already have a smartphone with an app such as mapy, RideWithGPS, or Komoot. Indeed, many long distance bike tourists go without, relying on a smartphone or paper maps. Having used a GPS for over 10…
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How to embrace the beauty of a winter bike ride
Here in the Northern Hemisphere, it is thick winter. The days are short, the temperatures down, the weather often unpleasant and we have just had a week of snow. But if you can brave those first few steps out the front door, this time of year can be glorious and memorable to ride in. It…
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Why Autumn is the best season for riding
Here in the northern hemisphere, it is full on autumn: the leaves are falling, the days are getting colder and the nights are getting appreciably longer. This is really my favourite season for riding, and it should be yours. I’ve written about this before but let me list the ways. The colours are glorious Yes, I…
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Cycling across a map of Tiny Perfect Moments
A few months ago, I read a review of a new film called “The Map of Tiny Perfect Things”. Judging by the review and the trailer, it appears to be about two teens who find themselves reliving the same day again and again, Groundhog Day-style. In an allusion to the conclusion of the earlier film,…
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Cooking my way around the world, dish by dish: Week Seven and epilogue
Saturday 13 February: Ireland 🇮🇪 : Irish Stew When I casually mention to my friend R that I am cooking my way round the world and am wondering what to do for Ireland, without a second’s hesitation, she says “Irish stew” and looks at me like I am an idiot. Obvious really. (On the same…