Road cycling and my Specialized bike

Road cycling and my Specialized bike

The open road, the wind in your hair, the beautiful countryside. Cycling wheather it's on the road or down a track on a mountain bike is great fun, great exercise and every ride is an adventure. People look at bikes these days and think, ah it's just a bike. I discovered that cycling has a great deal more to it these days. In addition to learning the fundamentals of cycling to improve my style and technique, over the years I've had to learn about bikes! I'm a very practical guy so setting too…continue reading →
Fatyak™ Adventure S Mahee Kayak – Dry Land Review – Part 1

Fatyak™ Adventure S Mahee Kayak – Dry Land Review – Part 1

The Man Outdoors has recently added a new kayak to our outdoor gear, in the form of the Fatyak Adventure S Mahee. Fatyak have been kind enough to supply it for the summer to allow us to explore the UK's stunning coastline and inland water ways. It’s a perfect all rounder and it’s great to have a tandom so that mates can come along or there is loads of room for overnight camping gear, or daytime picnic it items. It has loads of great features and is a really awesome kayak. Here are…continue reading →
The AA 50 Walking Route Books

The AA 50 Walking Route Books

Walking and Hiking is one of Britain's favourite leisure activities. The AA and teamed up with the Ordinace Survey to produce a wide range of walking books that feature walkes from across the country. Each book features 50 walks with and OS map included ranging from two to ten miles and further depending on the book, with routes to suit all abilities. The book highlight places of interest on route, accompanied by fascinating background reading on the history and wildlife in each area. All the routes have been colour coded according to difficulty.…continue reading →
Get outdoors with the OS pledge to #GetOutside

Get outdoors with the OS pledge to #GetOutside

When did you last go for a proper walk? Are you one of the growing number of people in the UK becoming shy of walking? Well the OS (Ordance Survey) have launched a new campaign called #GetOutside. They what you off your sofa and out and about walking the thousands of mile of footpaths the UK countryside has to offer. Latest research shows that a quarter of the UK public won’t walk anywhere that takes over 15 minutes. Atleast three quarters of us don’t walk to work anymore.  An amazing 70% never walk…continue reading →
Yoga for Runners – Stretching To Avoid Injury

Yoga for Runners – Stretching To Avoid Injury

If you're a runner the I know two things about you, you have tight legs, and you probably don't stretch enough ;). I know this because I have been a runner for 10 years or so. I have always been a mid distance runner but have done some sprinting, but regardless of distances, we all need to stretch the same muscle groups. Over the years I have picked up a number of injures from running whether it be the results of running and over use it's self or injures from tripping over or…continue reading →
Allotments getting started, growing your own fruit and vegetables

Allotments getting started, growing your own fruit and vegetables

You can’t beat the taste of freshly home grown and harvested carrots, potatoes, beans or crisp lettuce and tomatos. Getting started on your allotment With a bit of preparation work your allotment can produce attractive and productive crops all year round. Make sure you clear the ground properly of weeds, test the soil for PH level and plan what you want to and when, this will ensure a satsifying supply of food all year round for the table at home. It is unusual to take over a pristine allotment, many are in very…continue reading →
Back On Track: Martyn Ashton’s new video

Back On Track: Martyn Ashton’s new video

After sustaining a life changing injury in 2013, Martyn Ashton, mountain bike and Road Bike Party legend, is Back On Track. Following his injury in 2013, Martyn Ashton, the trials legend, creator of Road Bike Party 2 Video which was a massive Youtube hit, and, above all family man and bike rider, he began his inspirational journey to get back on track and back on his bike. With his great friends Danny MacAskill, Chris Akrigg and Blake Samson and filmed by long time collaborator Robin Kitchin, this is Martyn Back On Track. It…continue reading →
Swimming for fitness and health

Swimming for fitness and health

Swimming is a fun and gentle form of all-round exercise for your body. Whatever your age or ability, it's an ideal way of being more active and staying healthy. Swimming is a skill for life and it could save a life one day. If you can’t yet swim, learn, get down a local pool today! Regular swimming like most forms of exercise can help combat and reduce the risk of illnesses, like heart disease, type 2 diabetes and strokes. As a full body exercise its great for weight control but easy on the body…continue reading →
How to avoid running injuries

How to avoid running injuries

There is nothing more disapointing to a runner than suffering an injury. Days, Weeks, months, and even years of training and fitness can go out the wondow if you slip on the ice, turn over your ankle, or a chronic overuse injury. I'm writing this with experience of chronic over use. Running Injured Sports scientists say between 30 and 80% of regular runners, amateur or Pro have an injury in a given year. Other fitness experts narrow that to nearly 70% of all runners will become injured at some point. The chances are,…continue reading →
A Beginner’s Guide to Walking and Hiking

A Beginner’s Guide to Walking and Hiking

“It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings. The photo above reminds me of the two friends Frodo and Sam as they set out from the shire on there big adventure, not knowing whats around the corner. When you think of proper walking or hiking, you probably picture a group of people with walking boots, walking sticks (ski sticks), oversized backpacks, looking…continue reading →