It's been pretty full on recently with us being bundled headfirst into the world of event organising! We chat about how we wrote the theme tune, sang the theme tune and forgot most of the lyrics to the theme tune along the way, whilst learning hands on course building for the UK's National XC Points Series, along with course marker, checking, raking, blowing as well as a bit of commentary... I say a bit, it ended up as two full weekends! It was hard graft, but so much fun and exciting to be part of an important step up for so much talent in the mountain bike community. Seems we may be getting involved next year too.... Yikes!
After the success of the Pennine Bridleway guidebook Han has been commissioned by Vertebrate Publishing to revamp the Trail centre guidebook. So episode 10 explores the forth coming 'difficult second album'... Trail centre design has changed immeasurable since the first one was opened in 1996. Their popularity along with privately owned bike parks has exploded. This is not going to be an easy 'second album' but I'm pretty sure we'll have fun along the way. Research includes visiting all said trail centres and bike park currently operating in the UK. In episode 10 we chat about some of the trails we rode in the South West as well discussing a feature about what can be considered the grandaddy of mountain bike venues we've just completed for CRANKED Magazine.
It's been a while. Joolze has been away working in France for nearly a month following 18 amatuer cyclists tackle the full Tour de France route one week ahead of the pros and Han has a new project she's started. Have a listen as we chat about how Joolze and her trusty camera and drone helped in a small way to raise over a million pounds for an amazing cause whilst Han embraced her inner gnaar, got her rear end out and headed off to play on some trail centres, both near and far... For more information about the Cure Leukaemia One week Ahead Tour check out: The Tour 21 You'll find a selection of my images and links to the episodes the film crew produced. Please feel free to make a donation to help Cure Leukaemia make even more inroads into curing blood cancers. For fantastic attention to detail, organisational skills and pulling together an amazing crew at the last minute: Andy Cook Cycling For keeping everyone rolling along and patching up those of us that started falling to pieces, thanks to Rhia: The Body Mechanic And for commissioning books and generally keeping us out of mischief: Vertebrate Publishing
As we start our journey around the many trail centres in the UK for Han's next Vertebrate Publishing guide book, we popped in to have a chat with Matt Williams owner of Run & Ride, in Milford, Staffs just a stones throw away from Cannock Chase. Matt is also a prolific event organiser for both the MTB and running community, his biggest and most looked forward to event has to be Exposure Twentyfour12, 4 days of a running and riding festival culminating in 24 hours of racing around the historic Newnham Estate near Plymouth. We wanted to know what it's like trying to organise events like this during a pandemic. How 2021 is shaping up, the trials and tribulations of refunds, cancellations, lack of entries and why he does it when usually he ends up out of pocket.... Oh and also listen out for a guest appearance from Millie.... the resident shop cat....
We celebrate International Trail day on June 5th by heading out to Standedge a section of the Pennines, where the Pennine Way and Bridleway briefly interact before heading off on their respective routes. The Pennines are littered with history and we chat about how man has traversed the Pennines over the millenium and how many of the routes we use today were shaped by our ancestors. So take a moment, slow down, breathe in the air, listen to the bird song and maybe you'll hear the faint whisper of the thousands of footsteps that have passed by this way and continue. *There maybe a tiny amount of swearing....
In episode 6 we chat to Emma Kingston author of the new 'Bikepacking England' book - jam packed with 20 detailed off road adventures that will inspire and delight. We chat about how Emma became a convert to bikepacking and how this pastime has transformed her apprecition of riding off road and how it inpired her to share this passion in the new guidebook. There's also mention of pies and cakes....
In this episode Joolze chats to Hannah about the new Pennine Bridleway Guidebook that she wrote. It's an interesting insight to how the book is much more than just a route guide. It should help you enjoy the ride along the backbone of England, whether you ride it in one go or take your time and ride sections and the loops. Han raves about her encounter with the nicest man in mountain biking - Nick Craig and explains why there is a loop dedicated to the memory of Nick's son, Charlie #RideForCharlie #VanderCraig (have a gander at www.rideforcharlie.com for the an insight into the foundation Nick & Sarah, Charlie's parents began to support young off road riders as a legacy to their much loved son). We find out the Black 5s are one of her favourite engines, discover a little bit of engineering along the way, from Roman roads through to impressive embankments. There is also mention of a new project and why it will take a while to come to press, something about sugar and caffeine??
It's a lengthy chat with Nick Smith one of Alpkit's founding members, but pretty interesting. Sit back grab a coffee and relax and find out how Alpkit got off the ground, how the brand has grown and kept it's ethos of providing good kit at good prices for everyone to enjoy the outdoors including the development of their own bike brand - Sonder. How they got into bike packing way before it became trendy. Their decision to buck the industry trend and are now committed to providing plus sized women's clothing.
Han & Joolze chat about their memories of doing a bivvi a month throughout 2019. Bikepacking is fun and doesn't have to epic. Tea time adventures are a brilliant experience and will leave you with fond memories of laughter and general mucking about on bikes. This episode includes bike riding, a tiny bit of swearing, a little bit of singing and a lot of cackling....
In episode 2 Han and Joolze chat about the trend that is bike packing. Do you need a special bike? Certain equipement? Ultra athlete type fitness? Or can you just bob along with what you have enjoying the experience at your own pace. You don't even have to sleep outside...
WoAcA Division was set up by Hannah & Joolze a couple of years ago. We ride bikes, mainly off road, in mud, whilst chatting and cackling about everything that life throws at us as we grow old kicking and fighting.... So we wondered if you'd like to come along for the ride? In episode one we tell you how it all began...