VecchioJo's Blog Posts

You actually know you’re a ‘proper’ cyclist when…

Call yourself a cyclist? Forget shaving your legs or riding a century, as VecchioJo ponders a few rites of passage one must tick off to truly become A Cyclist
Fri, Nov 21, 2025 11:36
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You actually know you’re a ‘proper’ cyclist when…

Call yourself a cyclist? Forget shaving your legs or riding a century, as VecchioJo ponders a few rites of passage one must tick off to truly become A Cyclist
Fri, Nov 21, 2025 11:36
32

A belated tribute to the iconic Zefal HPX: a bike pump that actually worked, gone but not forgotten

VecchioJo mourns the passing of his constant ride companion and saviour. Zefallan hero, if you will
Sat, Sep 27, 2025 08:00
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A belated tribute to the iconic Zefal HPX: a bike pump that actually worked, gone but not forgotten

VecchioJo mourns the passing of his constant ride companion and saviour. Zefallan hero, if you will
Sat, Sep 27, 2025 08:00
8
Thu, Feb 20, 2025 18:06
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Dirt & Druids: Taking on the gravelicious Enve Stone Circle

VecchioJo rode the Enve Stone Circle and nothing much happened (to him)
Fri, Jul 19, 2024 12:18
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Dirt & Druids: Taking on the gravelicious Enve Stone Circle

VecchioJo rode the Enve Stone Circle and nothing much happened (to him)
Fri, Jul 19, 2024 12:18
2

A soggy sojourn in France: La Bikepacking at Nature Is Bike

It was a case of perfect gravel and imperfect weather as VecchioJo got his gravillon on at this popular festival-style cycling event in and around Angers
Tue, Jul 09, 2024 14:30
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A soggy sojourn in France: La Bikepacking at Nature Is Bike

It was a case of perfect gravel and imperfect weather as VecchioJo got his gravillon on at this popular festival-style cycling event in and around Angers
Tue, Jul 09, 2024 14:30
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Tue, Jun 18, 2024 16:10
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Remember when you knew where the potholes were? Nowadays, cycling on British roads is a constant, crater-ridden skirmish

VecchioJo looks back fondly on the times when potholes were things to be avoided, rather than taking up the majority of the tarmac on his regular stomping ground
Mon, Apr 22, 2024 17:15
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Remember when you knew where the potholes were? Nowadays, cycling on British roads is a constant, crater-ridden skirmish

VecchioJo looks back fondly on the times when potholes were things to be avoided, rather than taking up the majority of the tarmac on his regular stomping ground
Mon, Apr 22, 2024 17:15
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The long road to enlightenment (by bike): VecchioJo’s lessons from a lifetime of long distance riding

VecchioJo brings what he’s learnt on the road to his everyday life
Tue, Apr 09, 2024 16:08
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The long road to enlightenment (by bike): VecchioJo’s lessons from a lifetime of long distance riding

VecchioJo brings what he’s learnt on the road to his everyday life
Tue, Apr 09, 2024 16:08
5

Neither of my bike sheds are ‘pain caves’… and that’s exactly how I like it

“Don’t be a caveman”, says VecchioJo in the most serious defence of riding outside you’re every likely to read
Mon, Feb 19, 2024 10:30
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Neither of my bike sheds are ‘pain caves’… and that’s exactly how I like it

“Don’t be a caveman”, says VecchioJo in the most serious defence of riding outside you’re every likely to read
Mon, Feb 19, 2024 10:30
47

The privilege of race: No-fly policies only act to make cycling events even more exclusionary

Should race organisers be dictating how you travel to their events? With the time and finances needed to participate in multi-day events already huge, it’s arguably putting principles over practicality, says VecchioJo
Mon, Feb 05, 2024 12:11
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The privilege of race: No-fly policies only act to make cycling events even more exclusionary

Should race organisers be dictating how you travel to their events? With the time and finances needed to participate in multi-day events already huge, it’s arguably putting principles over practicality, says VecchioJo
Mon, Feb 05, 2024 12:11
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We need to talk about overtaking: All things must pass, so be nice about it on your next bike ride

VecchioJo passes judgement on overtaking etiquette, or the lack of it among some cyclists
Fri, Oct 20, 2023 12:25
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We need to talk about overtaking: All things must pass, so be nice about it on your next bike ride

VecchioJo passes judgement on overtaking etiquette, or the lack of it among some cyclists
Fri, Oct 20, 2023 12:25
21

A weekend at the Wild Wales Gravel Festival — where you only have the wrong bike some of the time

While the UK isn’t blessed with endless finely packed fire roads, the more chaotic terrain is arguably just as fun but in a different way
Thu, Jul 27, 2023 07:38
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A weekend at the Wild Wales Gravel Festival — where you only have the wrong bike some of the time

While the UK isn’t blessed with endless finely packed fire roads, the more chaotic terrain is arguably just as fun but in a different way
Thu, Jul 27, 2023 07:38
4

Snake Bite: Taking on the epic Seven Serpents unsupported gravel ride (and failing)

850km of riding featuring mud, slop and terrifying trails with 16,000 metres of climbing? It went about as nicely as it sounds for the intrepid VecchioJo
Mon, Jun 26, 2023 19:03
5

Snake Bite: Taking on the epic Seven Serpents unsupported gravel ride (and failing)

850km of riding featuring mud, slop and terrifying trails with 16,000 metres of climbing? It went about as nicely as it sounds for the intrepid VecchioJo
Mon, Jun 26, 2023 19:03
5

No, I don’t wave at other cyclists when I’m out for a ride… isn’t a simple nod of acknowledgement enough?

VecchioJo isn’t waving, but drowning in etiquette
Mon, Jan 30, 2023 14:44
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Mon, Jan 30, 2023 14:44
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Star-crossed: A love letter to cyclo-cross, cycling’s silliest discipline

VecchioJo is back on the ‘cross course, loving and hating it in equal measure as much as he ever did
Wed, Sep 28, 2022 10:28
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Star-crossed: A love letter to cyclo-cross, cycling’s silliest discipline

VecchioJo is back on the ‘cross course, loving and hating it in equal measure as much as he ever did
Wed, Sep 28, 2022 10:28
3

The fast goodbye: why my favourite part of a group ride is the end

VecchioJo can’t wait for the ride to end…
Wed, Jul 27, 2022 10:32
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The fast goodbye: why my favourite part of a group ride is the end

VecchioJo can’t wait for the ride to end…
Wed, Jul 27, 2022 10:32
1

Roam is where the heart is: taking on the Roam Scotland Rally self-supported bikepacking ride

The Roam Scotland Rally captures VecchioJo’s heart, rekindling a long distance love affair
Fri, Jun 17, 2022 12:15
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Roam is where the heart is: taking on the Roam Scotland Rally self-supported bikepacking ride

The Roam Scotland Rally captures VecchioJo’s heart, rekindling a long distance love affair
Fri, Jun 17, 2022 12:15
o

Sick and tired of being sick and tired: when being ill stifles your cycling

VecchioJo has never tested positive, but just isn’t feeling up to it…
Fri, Apr 01, 2022 15:53
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Sick and tired of being sick and tired: when being ill stifles your cycling

VecchioJo has never tested positive, but just isn’t feeling up to it…
Fri, Apr 01, 2022 15:53
11

This isn’t about cycle lanes or the Highway Code – I just want to get home in one piece

VecchioJo is riding against the clock, but not like that – sadly near misses with drivers are an unavoidable and inevitable consequence of being behind a set of handlebars in 2022
Tue, Feb 01, 2022 10:24
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This isn’t about cycle lanes or the Highway Code – I just want to get home in one piece

VecchioJo is riding against the clock, but not like that – sadly near misses with drivers are an unavoidable and inevitable consequence of being behind a set of handlebars in 2022
Tue, Feb 01, 2022 10:24
60

Too posh to bush: bikepacking (with a tent) on the Isle of Wight

Not tempted by the idea of setting up a bivvy under a hedge, VecchioJo goes ‘glampacking’ within tent on the Isle of Wight
Sun, Nov 14, 2021 13:29
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Too posh to bush: bikepacking (with a tent) on the Isle of Wight

Not tempted by the idea of setting up a bivvy under a hedge, VecchioJo goes ‘glampacking’ within tent on the Isle of Wight
Sun, Nov 14, 2021 13:29
7

Territorial p**sings: stopping for a wee on a bike ride

When VecchioJo rides his bike, it often causes a Pavlovian weesponse. Here’s why having a favourite outdoor number 1 spot is a cyclist’s rite of passage
Wed, Sep 29, 2021 12:30
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Territorial p**sings: stopping for a wee on a bike ride

When VecchioJo rides his bike, it often causes a Pavlovian weesponse. Here’s why having a favourite outdoor number 1 spot is a cyclist’s rite of passage
Wed, Sep 29, 2021 12:30
27

Sustainable Gravel: A car-free cycling trip to the Isle of Wight

VecchioJo takes his bike on a ferry for a jaunt to the Isle of Wight, with not a motor vehicle in sight…
Sun, Apr 25, 2021 13:09
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Sustainable Gravel: A car-free cycling trip to the Isle of Wight

VecchioJo takes his bike on a ferry for a jaunt to the Isle of Wight, with not a motor vehicle in sight…
Sun, Apr 25, 2021 13:09
11

Transnontinental: Why I had to turn down the chance to ride one of the world’s most prestigious ultra-distance cycling races

Stop press, VecchioJo has said no to a bike ride! Here’s why…
Fri, Mar 26, 2021 17:28
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Fri, Mar 26, 2021 17:28
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Isolated Incidents: What does it mean for cyclists to ‘stay local’?

This is a local ride, we’ll have no trouble here! How to think global and ride local…
Wed, Jan 20, 2021 11:44
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Isolated Incidents: What does it mean for cyclists to ‘stay local’?

This is a local ride, we’ll have no trouble here! How to think global and ride local…
Wed, Jan 20, 2021 11:44
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