Happiness is Bicycle Shaped.

I remember my very first bike ride. I was very small. I had a pink bike with a white saddle. It had a plastic carrier seat to transport BB, my grubby-white teddy bear. On my first proper bike ride my Dad, big brother, BB and I pedalled together along the muddy, bumpy bridleway to a nearby pub. It was only 1 mile but 1 mile, when you are only 40 inches short, felt like a long way. It felt like an Expedition.

In May 2013, I packed up my panniers, said goodbye to my friends and family, and flew to Vancouver. Over the next 3 and a half months I cycled up the Rockies, across the prairies and along the shore of the Great Lakes; I cycled through thunderstorms and sunshine; I saw black bears, was bitten all over by bugs, and listened to birdsong. I swam in lakes, toasted marshmallows over campfires, and slept sounding in my tent as the rain pattered against the canvas. It was the adventure of a lifetime and it comes Highly Recommended.

Since Canada, I have clocked up many more miles on shorter tours around Europe. In July 2015, my Dad and I cycled end to end across a rather rainy UK – an account of which you’ll find on this blog.

I hope you enjoy reading my blog. If you have any questions or if you are planning your own cycle-camping adventure and would like some advice then please get in touch @dinojrock.

More info about me and my trip is featured on this wonderful website about biking across Canada.