"One day I asked myself, why not? You only regret the things you don’t do..."
James, you are undertaking an epic solo unsupported ride of just under 1,000 kilometres from the Dutch border to the Polish border, taking in three countries in seven days. Firstly, how did you get into cycling, and what was the inspiration behind this adventure?
Cycling was never something that particularly interested me. I would always walk wherever I needed to go. However, I had the chance to try out a road bike that belonged to my father-in-law, and I was hooked straight away. The speed and distance I could travel opened up a whole new world. It didn’t take long before I was shaving my legs, watching the Tour de France, and racing with my local club. To say I was won over by cycling would be an understatement; I fell in love with it.
At one point, I owned a town bike, a road bike, a mountain bike, a cyclocross bike, and a singlespeed. But over time, I started to fall out of love with riding. A move to Germany and a shift into triathlon (I know!) pushed me more towards training alone, and it just wasn’t the same.
It was gravel that brought me back. The freedom to ride wherever you want, to see what’s down that trail, and the open, laid-back community made me fall in love with cycling all over again. Gravel has also opened up opportunities for my passion for writing, allowing me to meet incredible people and tell their stories.
Writing about epic adventures was always inspiring, but it also felt out of reach. Don’t get me wrong, I’m no beginner, but taking on a multi-day adventure was something I only ever dreamed about. I had plenty of excuses: work, family, no time, too old, you name it, I had a reason not to do it.
Then one day I asked myself, why not? You only regret the things you don’t do. From there, it snowballed. It became a challenge not just for me, but a way to show that anyone can have an adventure. They don’t have to be in far-flung locations or over huge mountain ranges; they can start right outside your front door. If I can do it, then so can anyone else.
Undertaking such a challenge takes a lot of preparation and planning. You work full-time and curate a magazine - how did you find the time to stay motivated and committed to your training plan?
I won’t lie, it has been hard. At the beginning, it feels easy because there’s so much time ahead of you. It’s easy to become complacent and think you’ll get around to everything later.
Balancing a full-time job, running an online magazine, being a husband and a dad, and everything else in between makes it tough. For me, the key was setting smaller targets along the way: test weekends with the kit, club rides, local events, and one major goal in particular, The Gralloch UCI Gravel World Series race. Having those dates in the calendar made the bigger goal feel more real and more urgent.
I’ve made mistakes along the way. I’ve missed training sessions and been inconsistent with my nutrition, but there are two things I think are important to remember if you’re taking on a challenge like this.
First, and most importantly, you’re doing it for yourself. This isn’t a race; it’s an adventure. Yes, you need to be fit, but don’t beat yourself up if you miss a few sessions. This is supposed to be fun, so enjoy it.
Second - and this is something I still need to work on - consistency is key. Regular training rides will always beat a few weeks of going all-in followed by weeks of doing nothing. Keep it simple. Find the times during the week when you know you can ride and commit to them. If you can fit in extra rides, great, but if you can only ride three times a week, then make those rides count.
You mentioned riding The Gralloch, a UCI Gravel World Series event in Scotland. What was that like to compete in, and how did the Roadfinder X perform?
The Gralloch was an amazing event in an absolutely beautiful part of Scotland. The course isn’t overly technical and there are no huge climbs, but it is relentless. You are either climbing or descending, often at high speed, and there’s very little opportunity to switch off.
I was grateful to be riding the Roadfinder X because it felt balanced and composed throughout the race.
The steel frame really takes the sting out of the constant trail chatter, helping you stay comfortable and focused on your line. The handling through the more technical sections was spot on, and at no point did I feel uncomfortable or out of control. That’s one of the real benefits of riding a bespoke bike.
The Roadfinder X is a versatile bike. For your bikepacking adventure, have you altered anything, and can you talk us through your bike setup?
That’s the beauty of the bike. I can race it around Scotland one weekend and then load it up with bikepacking bags the next. Thanks to all the mounting points on the frame, I can easily fit everything I need for this trip and head across Germany without having to change the setup itself.
The bike remains exactly the same; all I’ve done is add the luggage. It’s a testament to how versatile the Roadfinder X really is.
In fact, you actually visited the Pashley factory in person to work with the team and finalise all the finer details. What struck you about this experience, and what does a custom handmade bike feel like to ride?
I did, and it was a fantastic experience. Seeing how a bike is built from a collection of steel tubes into a finished frame is genuinely fascinating. I’d recommend a visit to anyone, although you’ll probably leave wanting a new bike.
What stood out most was the people. The team clearly embody the Pashley brand, and their passion for what they do shines through in every part of the process.
I’ve been fortunate enough to ride a lot of different bikes over the years, and I can honestly say I’ve never ridden anything quite like the Roadfinder X. From the very first pedal stroke, it felt special. It fits me perfectly, responds exactly how I expect it to, and feels like an extension of me on the bike.
I’m not usually lost for words, but it’s genuinely difficult to explain just how good it feels to ride.
Lastly, what pieces of advice would you share for anyone wanting to take on such an adventure - whether epic or just a weekend away?
Just do it. For years, I had this idea in my head and for years I did nothing about it. Adventure can be whatever you want it to be. It doesn’t have to involve crossing countries or riding huge distances.
Plan a route, pack what you need, and go. The hardest part is often getting started, but once you do, I can almost guarantee you won’t regret it.
James, thank you, good luck, and most importantly - enjoy the ride.
Read more at ProGravel Magazine and follow the journey on socials @progravelmag
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