2024 has been a big year of cycling for me.
In February, I came up with the wild idea of cycling across England for my PhD research and since then, I've been trying to spend as much time in the saddle as I can, from weekend rides in Devon, to bike camping in Germany.
Brett and I cycled from Exeter to Falmouth for my MRes graduation, and spent our five-year anniversary cycling near Paris (71 kilometres on a Velib city bike was a fun challenge). I've cycled to the coast for sea swims and visited parts of Devon that I could never have seen using public transport. I've joined cycling Facebook groups, shared blog posts, and filmed vlogs. I was involved in a national campaign run by Sustrans to promote the National Cycle Network and was interviewed twice on BBC Radio Cornwall. I've stepped out of my comfort zone (in many ways) and have gained confidence cycling on hills and roads.
There's still a lot for me to learn, but I'm proud of what I've achieved so far by getting out on my bike and finding the courage to leave the safety of the cycle paths near Exeter.
As 2024 draws to a close, I thought it would be fun to create a cycling year in review. I shared this on Instagram, but figured it deserved its own place on the blog! Thanks, as always for being here and for following along with my adventures – whatever they may be.
To learn more about my upcoming trip, check out this page.
Here's to another year of cycling in 2025!
Cycling stats:
Longest day rides
Lübeck to Lüneburg, Germany – 105.2 kilometres
Barnstaple to Okehampton (via Westward Ho!) – 72.7 kilometres
Ourcq Canal loop, Paris, France – 71.4 kilometres
Lydford to Bodmin Moor (bikepacking) – 68.2 kilometres
Bodmin Moor to Gorran Churchhaven (bikepacking) – 67.9 kilometres
Most elevation
Exeter to Lydford (bikepacking) – 1117 metres
Lydford to Bodmin Moor (bikepacking) – 989 metres
Barnstaple to Okehampton (via Westward Ho!) – 956 metres
Bodmin Moor to Gorran Churchtown (bikepacking) – 944 metres
East Prawle to Ivybridge (bikepacking) – 924 metres
Bike camping trips
Exeter to Penryn (July) – 240.1 kilometres
Northern Germany (May) – 102.2 kilometres
Totnes to Ivybridge (August) – 80.5 kilometres
Okehampton to Plymouth (May) – 68.6 kilometres
East Devon (May) – 58.6 kilometres
Cycling-related interviews
Interview on BBC Radio Cornwall about cycle ride to graduation (July)
Interview with Sustrans for campaign promoting the National Cycle Network (October)
Interview on BBC Radio Cornwall about NCN and fieldwork plans (October)
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