Ackers on a bike/hike
@malcolmackland.bsky.social
Cyclist/hiker - I'm here to inspire and to be inspired, just keep riding/hiking
After the success of my North Wales coast ride a couple of weeks ago the same conditions were present in the south east last weekend - strong westerly winds, a few showers and lots of sunshine - so had to go for a ride with a 40km tailwind.
Fabulous day out on NCN paths
Fabulous day out on NCN paths
November 5, 2025 at 8:02 PM
After the success of my North Wales coast ride a couple of weeks ago the same conditions were present in the south east last weekend - strong westerly winds, a few showers and lots of sunshine - so had to go for a ride with a 40km tailwind.
Fabulous day out on NCN paths
Fabulous day out on NCN paths
Oh come on Sustrans and Kent Council.
Really, how am I meant to get my bike and me through this device - MTB bars with aero bars.
Didn't think I'd manage it, but involved the weird rotation thing from Xmas cracker puzzles, not just the bike but me as well...
Really, how am I meant to get my bike and me through this device - MTB bars with aero bars.
Didn't think I'd manage it, but involved the weird rotation thing from Xmas cracker puzzles, not just the bike but me as well...
November 2, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Oh come on Sustrans and Kent Council.
Really, how am I meant to get my bike and me through this device - MTB bars with aero bars.
Didn't think I'd manage it, but involved the weird rotation thing from Xmas cracker puzzles, not just the bike but me as well...
Really, how am I meant to get my bike and me through this device - MTB bars with aero bars.
Didn't think I'd manage it, but involved the weird rotation thing from Xmas cracker puzzles, not just the bike but me as well...
Lovely day for a long walk, so I treated myself this morning 😁
November 1, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Lovely day for a long walk, so I treated myself this morning 😁
Sunset-tastic in Hertfordshire this evening
October 25, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Sunset-tastic in Hertfordshire this evening
Great coast trundle today, despite the showers - 71km traffic free!
17mph headwind on the way out, 25mph tailwind on the way back - oh yeah!
It was quite weird seeing my destination from the start when it was 40km away, and then have is disappear and reappear as the showers passed through...
17mph headwind on the way out, 25mph tailwind on the way back - oh yeah!
It was quite weird seeing my destination from the start when it was 40km away, and then have is disappear and reappear as the showers passed through...
October 21, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Great coast trundle today, despite the showers - 71km traffic free!
17mph headwind on the way out, 25mph tailwind on the way back - oh yeah!
It was quite weird seeing my destination from the start when it was 40km away, and then have is disappear and reappear as the showers passed through...
17mph headwind on the way out, 25mph tailwind on the way back - oh yeah!
It was quite weird seeing my destination from the start when it was 40km away, and then have is disappear and reappear as the showers passed through...
I was doing some gardening, but have been distracted by the looming sunset that is building up to be a good one, plus temps are really balmy, so I've poured a G&T and put the cricket on BBC sounds instead of doing what I'm meant to be doing...
October 11, 2025 at 4:11 PM
I was doing some gardening, but have been distracted by the looming sunset that is building up to be a good one, plus temps are really balmy, so I've poured a G&T and put the cricket on BBC sounds instead of doing what I'm meant to be doing...
Autumn rocking it in Hertfordshire- so good for riding and hiking on the super dry trails
October 8, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Autumn rocking it in Hertfordshire- so good for riding and hiking on the super dry trails
October sunsets are just great
October 5, 2025 at 6:14 PM
October sunsets are just great
...and some more of the same
2/2
2/2
September 30, 2025 at 7:57 PM
...and some more of the same
2/2
2/2
55km rambling up and down the south Dorset/Devon coastline on the weekend.
Definitely topped up my tan a fair bit
1/2
Definitely topped up my tan a fair bit
1/2
September 30, 2025 at 7:57 PM
55km rambling up and down the south Dorset/Devon coastline on the weekend.
Definitely topped up my tan a fair bit
1/2
Definitely topped up my tan a fair bit
1/2
Checked into rental, TV looks worse than ceefax.
It works though, and enjoyed the masterchef final with some G&T joy
It works though, and enjoyed the masterchef final with some G&T joy
September 26, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Checked into rental, TV looks worse than ceefax.
It works though, and enjoyed the masterchef final with some G&T joy
It works though, and enjoyed the masterchef final with some G&T joy
Sat in the garden enjoying the early autumn evening sunshine, and contemplating whether to ride my MTB or hybrid around north London in my lunch break tomorrow.
Of course, it has to be MTB as the trails are still dry enough...
Of course, it has to be MTB as the trails are still dry enough...
September 21, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Sat in the garden enjoying the early autumn evening sunshine, and contemplating whether to ride my MTB or hybrid around north London in my lunch break tomorrow.
Of course, it has to be MTB as the trails are still dry enough...
Of course, it has to be MTB as the trails are still dry enough...
Feeling generally ok, little toes are a bit sore
....
....
September 20, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Feeling generally ok, little toes are a bit sore
....
....
I wasn't ready (fitness, mentally or conditioning), but it was my last chance this year so I went for my "walk your age in km" personal challenge.
OK moving time for 10 hours, then 3 hours of grind/discomfort.
14.5 hours total time, 1 hr before sunrise, 1.5 hrs after sunset.
5,900 calories 😮
1/2
OK moving time for 10 hours, then 3 hours of grind/discomfort.
14.5 hours total time, 1 hr before sunrise, 1.5 hrs after sunset.
5,900 calories 😮
1/2
September 20, 2025 at 7:37 AM
I wasn't ready (fitness, mentally or conditioning), but it was my last chance this year so I went for my "walk your age in km" personal challenge.
OK moving time for 10 hours, then 3 hours of grind/discomfort.
14.5 hours total time, 1 hr before sunrise, 1.5 hrs after sunset.
5,900 calories 😮
1/2
OK moving time for 10 hours, then 3 hours of grind/discomfort.
14.5 hours total time, 1 hr before sunrise, 1.5 hrs after sunset.
5,900 calories 😮
1/2
Continuing our theme of going somewhere we haven't been before on the way to/from our holiday rental - turned up a gem here, including an excellent breakfast at the Roaches tea rooms before the walk.
Will definitely be going back to the Staffordshire Moorlands!
Will definitely be going back to the Staffordshire Moorlands!
September 12, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Continuing our theme of going somewhere we haven't been before on the way to/from our holiday rental - turned up a gem here, including an excellent breakfast at the Roaches tea rooms before the walk.
Will definitely be going back to the Staffordshire Moorlands!
Will definitely be going back to the Staffordshire Moorlands!
Came across this today in Llandudno - and it is right as being so steep and spitting you out into a 3 road junction while still on the hill with no visibility either way is dangerous with motor vehicles around.
So much better than "cyclists dismount" though!
So much better than "cyclists dismount" though!
September 10, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Came across this today in Llandudno - and it is right as being so steep and spitting you out into a 3 road junction while still on the hill with no visibility either way is dangerous with motor vehicles around.
So much better than "cyclists dismount" though!
So much better than "cyclists dismount" though!
Fabulously good day in the Carneddau after waiting 30+ years to just do it.
Had to walk it a day earlier than planned (after a hard ride yesterday) due to a weather window closing, and was happy to put up with the 50-60 mph wind (no gusts, just strong winds).
Saw 15 other people in total - quiet 🕺🤷🥾
Had to walk it a day earlier than planned (after a hard ride yesterday) due to a weather window closing, and was happy to put up with the 50-60 mph wind (no gusts, just strong winds).
Saw 15 other people in total - quiet 🕺🤷🥾
September 9, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Fabulously good day in the Carneddau after waiting 30+ years to just do it.
Had to walk it a day earlier than planned (after a hard ride yesterday) due to a weather window closing, and was happy to put up with the 50-60 mph wind (no gusts, just strong winds).
Saw 15 other people in total - quiet 🕺🤷🥾
Had to walk it a day earlier than planned (after a hard ride yesterday) due to a weather window closing, and was happy to put up with the 50-60 mph wind (no gusts, just strong winds).
Saw 15 other people in total - quiet 🕺🤷🥾
But I'm on holiday, I'm definitely not training 🚵♀️🥾🙃
September 9, 2025 at 6:12 PM
But I'm on holiday, I'm definitely not training 🚵♀️🥾🙃
I'm preparing for a linear walk from Ogwen Cottage to Conwy through the Carneddau tomorrow - I've just chosen my boots based on conditions, comfort and weight.
Merrel Moab II mid - yeah, a bit too light, but hey ho.
Other options Brasher GTX, Moab III GTX, Evadict TR2 trail running, or not going
Merrel Moab II mid - yeah, a bit too light, but hey ho.
Other options Brasher GTX, Moab III GTX, Evadict TR2 trail running, or not going
September 8, 2025 at 6:57 PM
I'm preparing for a linear walk from Ogwen Cottage to Conwy through the Carneddau tomorrow - I've just chosen my boots based on conditions, comfort and weight.
Merrel Moab II mid - yeah, a bit too light, but hey ho.
Other options Brasher GTX, Moab III GTX, Evadict TR2 trail running, or not going
Merrel Moab II mid - yeah, a bit too light, but hey ho.
Other options Brasher GTX, Moab III GTX, Evadict TR2 trail running, or not going
Just clicking around the MetOffice Eryri NP mountain forecast for tomorrow, and spotted that there is a per peak forecast for the key peaks - huh, when did that become a thing? And how long is it since I've been in the high mountains 😳
That's the rest of the evening gone checking them all out...
That's the rest of the evening gone checking them all out...
September 8, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Just clicking around the MetOffice Eryri NP mountain forecast for tomorrow, and spotted that there is a per peak forecast for the key peaks - huh, when did that become a thing? And how long is it since I've been in the high mountains 😳
That's the rest of the evening gone checking them all out...
That's the rest of the evening gone checking them all out...
Just reccied NCN5 west from Conwy on foot. It is pretty sketchy.
Rockfall making a serious dent in the side of the path.
Cars rushing around like crazy in the 30mph zone.
Lorries a bit close for comfort.
Other road route is 60km, 900m ascent, to do 2km on the sketchy place
🤷 gonna have to ride it...
Rockfall making a serious dent in the side of the path.
Cars rushing around like crazy in the 30mph zone.
Lorries a bit close for comfort.
Other road route is 60km, 900m ascent, to do 2km on the sketchy place
🤷 gonna have to ride it...
September 7, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Just reccied NCN5 west from Conwy on foot. It is pretty sketchy.
Rockfall making a serious dent in the side of the path.
Cars rushing around like crazy in the 30mph zone.
Lorries a bit close for comfort.
Other road route is 60km, 900m ascent, to do 2km on the sketchy place
🤷 gonna have to ride it...
Rockfall making a serious dent in the side of the path.
Cars rushing around like crazy in the 30mph zone.
Lorries a bit close for comfort.
Other road route is 60km, 900m ascent, to do 2km on the sketchy place
🤷 gonna have to ride it...
It has been a hot summer in Herts, and very dry, but I've regularly watered my chilli plants, and now they are fruiting - and have the oppressive conditions impacted them? Oh yes, they are super hot and there are loads of them 😁
August 29, 2025 at 5:53 PM
It has been a hot summer in Herts, and very dry, but I've regularly watered my chilli plants, and now they are fruiting - and have the oppressive conditions impacted them? Oh yes, they are super hot and there are loads of them 😁
Ooh - never thought how many trig points there are inside the M25 - probably not that many, but surely enough to have to walk them all on decent length loops (maybe even chaining them).
Update - just checked, 38 inside the M25, with 24 inside greater London - fabulous , that's a few walks to plan!
Update - just checked, 38 inside the M25, with 24 inside greater London - fabulous , that's a few walks to plan!
August 25, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Ooh - never thought how many trig points there are inside the M25 - probably not that many, but surely enough to have to walk them all on decent length loops (maybe even chaining them).
Update - just checked, 38 inside the M25, with 24 inside greater London - fabulous , that's a few walks to plan!
Update - just checked, 38 inside the M25, with 24 inside greater London - fabulous , that's a few walks to plan!
Fab stroll from South Kenton to Finsbury Park around the Capital Ring - the Ramblers have done exceptionally with this entire route taking in plenty of terrain that it is hard to comprehend is inside the M25!
This one took in one summitbag peak (Barn Hill), and had only 2.5km of road walking 👍👍👍
This one took in one summitbag peak (Barn Hill), and had only 2.5km of road walking 👍👍👍
August 25, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Fab stroll from South Kenton to Finsbury Park around the Capital Ring - the Ramblers have done exceptionally with this entire route taking in plenty of terrain that it is hard to comprehend is inside the M25!
This one took in one summitbag peak (Barn Hill), and had only 2.5km of road walking 👍👍👍
This one took in one summitbag peak (Barn Hill), and had only 2.5km of road walking 👍👍👍
WTF, someone has taken an egg out of the middle of the box today.
Don't remember that having ever happening before.
Ever.
Don't remember that having ever happening before.
Ever.
August 22, 2025 at 10:15 PM
WTF, someone has taken an egg out of the middle of the box today.
Don't remember that having ever happening before.
Ever.
Don't remember that having ever happening before.
Ever.