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How to Pack for an Active Holiday in a Carry-on Bag

by Alison Ingleby on September 26, 2017 in Travel • 0 Comments

Man with rucksack on train station platform

One bag to rule them all?

If you’re travelling on a budget, you can still get your hands on low-cost flights. That is, until you look at the extras. If you’re wanting to check-in a suitcase for your holiday you could end up doubling the cost of your flight. Travelling with just a carry-on bag means you have extra cash for a nice meal out, expensive museum tickets or many, many ice creams. But can you really pack everything you need for an active holiday into your hand luggage?

In most cases, the answer is yes. If you’re planning a hiking, cycling, running or multi-sport holiday, a lot of the time you’ll be able to fit everything you need into a small carry-on bag. The main exception is rock climbing holidays. As you can’t hire climbing gear (most climbers wouldn’t want to even if you could) and there’s no way you can fit ropes, hardware, harnesses and shoes into a carry-on bag, you’re going to need to check-in at least one bag. But similar principles apply. My husband and I usually pack all of our climbing gear into one duffle bag that we check-in and take everything else in our hand luggage.

If you’re wanting to avoid being ripped-off by airline baggage fees, then check out these top tips for packing for an active holiday in a carry-on bag.

Plan What You’re Going to Do on Holiday

You don’t have to plan every day of your holiday in detail (though for some people this is part of the fun!) but knowing what activities you’re going to be doing will help you decide what to pack and what to leave behind.

If you’re going on a cycling holiday, or a hiking trip then this is pretty straightforward. But if you like to do a bit of everything then it’s worth considering what you’ll actually have time to do so you don’t end up packing a load of stuff you don’t need.

For example, I’m just about to come home from a trip to Genoa. We hadn’t planned exactly what we were going to do before heading out, but we were hoping to have a few days running along the coast, possibly a day hiking in the hills, some sightseeing time and a few trips to the beach. Add into the mix visiting various family and friends in the area and possibly a nice dinner out and that’s a lot of clothing combinations! I decided to take one pair of trail running shoes that could double as hiking shoes, so I could leave my walking boots at home. I chose layers that could be worn together if the weather was cooler and lots of vest tops (as they don’t take up much space and I was hoping it would be warm!).

Wear Your Bulkiest Clothes (and Shoes)

If you’re trying to make the most of your carry-on bag, then you may have to sacrifice style on the plane. It makes sense to wear your bulkiest shoes and clothes to fly in. So, if you’re going on a hiking trip, wear your walking boots on the plane. My bulkiest clothes are typically jeans and jumpers, so I usually wear or carry these on the flight over.

The exception to this is if you’re going on a cycling holiday. No one is going to advocate hobbling through the airport in a pair of SPDs…

Check the Weather Before You Travel

Let’s face it. Packing for travelling to southern Europe in summer is pretty easy. You can be sure that the weather will be hot and sunny and, as summer clothes take less space than winter clothes, you can fit more into your hand luggage. But if you’re travelling during the winter or to a country with a changeable climate (hello, Britain) then packing can be a bit trickier.

Weather forecasts are rarely a hundred percent accurate, but they will give you an indication of what to expect so you can pack accordingly. For example, if it’s looking cool and there’s a lot of rain forecast you may decide to take a rugged waterproof coat, whereas if the weather is likely to be mostly dry you can get away with a light packable jacket.

If you could be faced with all types of weather on your trip then opt for lightweight, warm clothing and layers that can be worn together or separately depending on the temperature.

Merino wool t-shirts are great as many are smart enough to wear around town or even for going out for dinner. Buffs are a packable option if you want something to keep your neck or head warm without packing a woolly hat. A light scarf can have many uses, from keeping you warm in cooler weather to covering your head and shoulders in summer (particularly if you’re visiting religious sites or are in a Muslim country).

Check What’s Available at Your Accommodation

Towels are necessary but bulky. If you get them included with your accommodation, this is ideal. If you don’t then trek towels pack up reasonably small and are definitely a better option than filling half your carry-on bag with a beach towel.

Depending on where you’re staying, you may also have toiletries provided and hair dryers, umbrellas and other useful, but bulky, items. If you’re not sure, it’s always worth asking in advance.

Cut Down on Liquids

One of the challenges of travelling with just hand luggage is fitting all your liquids into that tiny one-litre plastic bag. A set of reusable travel bottles means you can take your favourite toiletries with you without having to buy the expensive travel-sized versions.

If you’re travelling for longer than a few days, it’s often worth buying bulky items such as shower gel, shampoo and toothpaste from the supermarket when you land. If you’re travelling with friends or family, club together to buy large bottles you can share which you will either use up or can leave behind when you go home.

Carrying makeup can be a nightmare when you’re trying to fit everything into your little plastic bag. I know a lot of outdoorsy people would scoff at the idea of carrying makeup on an active holiday, but I’m not one to judge. Whilst I personally wouldn’t take makeup on a six-week hiking expedition, I’ve suffered from bad skin for years and typically take some makeup on a mixed, multi-activity holiday.

My main tips for this would be to try and rationalise what makeup you take, and to travel with men! Often male companions will have a bit extra space in their plastic bags and may agree (if you ask nicely) to carry your deodorant or shampoo so you have a bit more space. Look for products that take up less space; for example, a stick foundation is much more packable than a glass bottle of liquid foundation. There’s a great guide to travel makeup here.

Coconut oil is a super useful multi-purpose product. You can use it as a makeup remover (pack a small face cloth), moisturiser, a replacement for shaving cream and a hair conditioner.

Choose the Right Carry-On Bag

Your choice of carry-on bag will depend on what you’re planning to do on holiday. If you’re on a hiking trip, then you’re likely to take your hiking pack as your hand luggage (make sure it meets airline requirements!). If you’re a keen photographer, then you may opt for a plastic suitcase to protect your camera gear in transit.

My husband and I both have Osprey Quasar packs, which we love! They have a padded laptop sleeve (useful for me as I take my laptop everywhere), lots of pockets for organising gear, a fair bit of space and are comfortable to carry. Hubby usually carries a rolled-up 15-litre running pack in his bag which we use for day runs or hikes.

There’s a great article from Outsider Online which discussed the pros and cons of different types of carry-on bag. Always check to make sure your bag meets the airline’s size requirements – an expensive mistake if you get it wrong.

10 Tips For Your First Mountain Marathon

by Alison Ingleby on September 12, 2017 in Misc, Running • 0 Comments

Mountain marathon

I had originally planned for this week’s post to be my lessons learned from trying to plan a sustainable wedding. And that will be coming up, but it’s going to be a big post and I’ve been struggling with RSI in my wrists and forearms this week, so it was really a no-go.

As the rain lashed across my window this morning it struck me that we’re really into autumn now. And I always associate autumn and winter with mountain marathon season. That’s not to say all mountain marathons take place in the winter – there are many summer events, which I would definitely recommend to mountain marathon newbies. But I seem to be a glutton for punishment, so have always chosen events which, based on the time of year, are almost guaranteed to bring you the worst of British weather.

The ‘big one’ is the OMM. Now in its 50th year, it’s always held the weekend the clocks go back, ostensibly because it gives you an extra hour of daylight on the Sunday, but really because it always rains. Always. (At least, every time I did it.) If this year’s OMM is your first foray into mountain marathons, congratulations! You’ve jumped in with both feet to the waist-deep bog. But to make your experience a little more pleasant, here are a few tips from the wise…

Tip 1: Prepare for the worst

This is both a general comment and a weather-specific one. Lightweight is all and good but the number one priority is survival. If this is your first mountain marathon and you haven’t yet tested your comfort vs safety limits when it comes to warmth, then don’t strip your pack right back. Besides, you want to enjoy this right? And there’s nothing like a dry change of clothes and a hot chocolate at the overnight camp to instantly make you feel a hundred times better.

Tip 2: Bubble wrap does not a good night’s sleep make

You may hear it said that you can skip carrying a heavy blow-up mat by shoving a square of bubble wrap into your pack and sleeping on that. After all, nowhere on the mandatory OMM kit list does it say ‘sleeping mat’. Now you could do this, and you would probably survive the night (presuming you have a decent sleeping bag), but you’re not going to get any sleep.

Do yourself and your tent mate a favour. If you can’t afford a super-light blow-up mat then at least get a length of lightweight roll mat or a balloon bed. Of course, these come with their own set of problems …

Tip 3: Don’t leave your balloon bed pump behind

“What’s a balloon bed?” I hear you ask. Well, it’s very simple. It’s a bed made from balloons. Not the big round ones you blow up for your kid’s birthday party, but the strong, long, thin ones magicians use to make giraffes and dogs. The ‘bed’ is a thin piece of fabric with sewn ‘tubes’ down which you stuff your blow-up balloons to make an airbed.

If you think this all sounds like a big faff, then you would be right. But do you really have anything better to do with your sixteen-odd hours at the overnight camp? And packed down, the balloon bed is about the size of your fist and weighs 100g. Perfect for mountain marathons.

There is one potential downside. You have to be one of those people who can tie balloon ends. I have never mastered this feat, but fortunately, my past tent mates have all been experts. You may be tempted to save five grams and leave behind the little pump that comes with the balloon bed. Many people have been ~~stupid~~ cunning enough to do this in the past and only realised too late that the balloons are ~~impossible~~ bloomin’ tough to blow up without it. Oh, and take a couple of spares in case of popping (and to make giraffes).

Tip 4: Take plastic bags to put your feet in

You can spot the mountain marathon newbies at the overnight camp as they’re the only ones walking around without plastic bags sticking out of the top of their shoes. This tip is tried and tested.

However much you try and bog-hop, by the time you get to the overnight camp your feet will be sopping wet. And it’s not great for your feet to sit stewing all night in wet socks. So, once you’ve got your tent up, get changed into your spare layers and put on your nice dry socks (you have got dry socks, haven’t you?).

Presuming you’re rehydrating like a pro, at some point you’re going to need to visit the portaloos. (Guys, just opening the tent flap and pissing out is really not on.) That’s where you have the wet shoe dilemma. And where the plastic bags come in. One for each foot. Just don’t bring cheap supermarket ones with holes in, as they’re kind of pointless.

Tip 5: You don’t need a toothbrush

Really. It’s ONE night. Your teeth will survive. Acceptable alternatives are a piece of chewing gum (mmmm, minty) or those little chewable toothbrush things you get in capsules in service stations (which do no good but may make you feel better).

Tip 6:… Or a hairbrush

All you people out there with no hair, SHUT IT. Have you ever tried to get a brush through a tangled head of long hair? No? My point exactly. It’s hell. Worse than tangled climbing ropes. Anyway, despite all this, there is still no need to take a hairbrush on your mountain marathons. If you have long hair, plaits/braids are the way forward. And buy a Tangle Teezer – you’ll never look back.

Tip 7: Tie your compass to your wrist

Loose compasses are another newbie error. You do not want to lose your compass. Particularly if you have ten-metre visibility on a mountain plateau surrounded by big cliffs. A simple piece of string and a wrist loop mean you never have to worry about losing your compass to a man-eating bog or forgetting to pick it up when you stop to tie your shoelace.

Incidentally the same goes for your dibber. Especially when it comes to man-eating bogs. (I nearly lost my husband to one, but that’s another story. He survived. The dibber didn’t.)

Tip 8: Look at the map before you set off

This is perhaps more pertinent to those competing in the score classes than the linear classes. When it comes to score events, tactics are key and spending five minutes planning your route is time well spent.

And make sure you look very carefully at the final section up to the finish. That way you won’t miss the four miles of dead running between the last control and the finish. And you won’t forget to take that into account in your timing assessment. Which means you’ll get in on time and won’t lose out on a prize as a result of misinterpreting a load of red squiggles. (I’m still bitter, alright?!)

Tip 9: Look after your partner

There are solo mountain marathon events, but for most classes, you’ll be in a team. Which means you need to look after you buddy as much as yourself, particularly if it’s their first time and they’re starting to wonder exactly what you talked them into after five pints in the pub that night.

Use each other’s strengths. If your partner ends up doing most of the navigating, why not offer to take the lion’s share of the tent? Or blow up their balloon bed. But remember this, there are times to be kind and sympathetic and times when you have to be tough. And you will each have your ups and downs.

The last OMM I did, I ran with my sister. On the first day, she was striding out ahead of me and I struggled to keep up. But nearing the end of day two, just after we’d spotted those soddin’ red squiggles mentioned above, she was starting to feel it. At one point she tripped over a tussock and refused to get up. Fortunately, by that point, the quickest way back was to follow the rest of the (over-long) trudge to the finish. So I gave her a hug and told her that she’d forget the pain in a couple of years. Tough love is sometimes necessary.

Tip 10: If it’s windy, stash one of the maps

What’s worse than losing a map? Losing BOTH your maps. Without them, you’re screwed (unless you have exceptional map memory skills). It can get pretty windy in the hills, and it’s surprisingly easy for a map to be whisked out of your hand and blown over a cliff. When the winds pick up, have one person stash their map safely in a jacket pocket or rucksack and navigate using the other one.

If the wind takes both of them? Well, that’s just careless …

And, there you go! I have many more tips whizzing around my head, so perhaps they’ll be a follow-up, ‘Part 2’ post. Feel free to share your best mountain marathon tips in the comments below! And best of luck to everyone competing in the OMM or other mountain marathons this winter. May the (navigational) force be with you.

Exploring the Best of New Zealand’s South Island

by Alison Ingleby on August 29, 2017 in Misc • 0 Comments

I’ve been sorting out the photos on my laptop recently and came across some snaps from my trip to New Zealand. It’s easy to lose track of time reminiscing about holiday memories and dreaming of beautiful places! The New Zealand landscape is one of the most varied and beautiful I’ve come across, so here’s a little photo inspiration to brighten your day.

Forested hills rise out of the drowned valleys in the Marlborough Sounds

Hire a canoe to explore the waters of Abel Tasman National Park at Kaiteriteri Bay

Beautiful Bark Bay, viewed from the Abel Tasman Coast Track

The Tolkienesque landscape of Takaka Hill

The path to Wharaiki Beach

Wharakiki Beach: spectacular, beautiful and remote

Natural rock sculptures at Punakaiki (Pancake Rocks)

The beautiful west coast of the South Island, New Zealand

Morning light on New Zealand’s west coast

A Kea is caught in the morning light over Fox Glacier

And, because I can’t fit all of the beauties of the South Island into one blog post, I think this will be the first of several!

All photographs are copyright © Alison Ingleby and Windswept Writing, 2017. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Alison Ingleby and Windswept Writing with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

The One Bike to Rule Them All: How to Choose Your Perfect Bike

by Alison Ingleby on August 22, 2017 in Cycling • 0 Comments

Road bikes leaning against trees

Many cyclists will claim that the optimum number of bikes to own is n+1, where n is the number of bikes they already own. Whilst generally, I am all in favour of shiny new purchases, the vast majority of us are unable to afford (or justify to our partners) the n+1 equation. And if you’re in the position of buying your first bike, the choice of steed can be a minefield.

“I just want a bike that can do everything!” I hear you cry. Well, tough. Such a bike does not exist. (Except possibly in the world of Harry Potter – you can do anything with a good wand.) There are bikes that can do most things, although there will be compromises. If you can only choose one type of bike, the decision comes down to what you want to prioritise most. And that’s where this handy guide comes in. We’ve distilled down the essence of each type of bike to help you figure out which is the perfect bike for you.

If you want one bike to do a bit of everything, your perfect bike is a gravel bike

You can take a gravel bike almost anywhere. With the dropped handlebars of a road bike, the fat tyres of a mountain bike and the gear range of a touring bike, these are the mongrels of the bike world. You’re not going to be tackling black runs in them, but for a mixture of road, off-road, easy trail riding and a spot of touring, they’re tough to beat. They’re a jack of all trades and master of none, but if you want a bike that can do a bit of everything, a gravel bike is the one for you.

If you’re erring more towards road riding (e.g. for commuting), then cyclocross bikes have a more aggressive riding position and are usually a bit lighter and faster on the roads.

If you want a commuting bike, your perfect bike is a hybrid

Someone’s going to disagree with me here, I know. So I will preempt you by saying that there are really two choices here: either a hybrid or a road bike. If you do a lot of road riding as well as commuting then a road bike may be your best option. For pretty much everyone else, a hybrid will be your perfect commuting bike.

Why? Well to start with, if you’ve never ridden a road bike before, it can be a bit nerve-wracking to get used to, especially if riding in traffic. A hybrid has a more upright, stable cycling position and with those nice wide handlebars, you won’t be worried about wobbling all over the road when indicating. If you cycle on rough roads or have some off-road sections (e.g. along a canal) then a hybrid will be a much comfier ride. Sure, it’ll be a bit heavier, but for most people, you’ll be stopping and starting often enough that that won’t make a huge difference. Check out our beginner’s guide to cycle commuting for more tips on cycling to work.

Of course, you may be forced down a completely different route depending on your commute …

If your commute involves travel by train, your perfect bike is a folding bike

If part of your commute to work involves travelling on public transport, then a folding bike is really your only option. Or at least, the only option that won’t earn you killer stares from fellow commuters on the 8:15 to Waterloo. (Mind you, even a folding bike might earn you killer stares on the sardine-tin trains.) They’re not the easiest bikes to manoeuvre on the roads and you won’t set any speed records, but they do the job they’re designed to do. A folding bike may also be your perfect bike if you like to keep your steed close to you at all times. If you don’t have secure bike storage at work, you can tuck her away under your desk until home time.

If you want a bike solely for commuting and live in a city with a bike share programme, you may not need to invest in a bike at all. With many schemes, the first half hour of cycling is free and you’ll never have to worry about your bike getting stolen.

If you’re a speed demon, your perfect bike is a road bike

If you’re not fussed about off-road cycling (and I mean any off-road), then a specialist road bike is likely to be your perfect bike. If you’ve never ridden one before, the body position and thin tires take a bit of getting used to, but once you’ve mastered this, you can get some serious miles under your belt. If you’re interested in getting into sportives, then this is the bike for you.

If you’re riding on rough roads or in cities, strong tyres are a must, but don’t go thinking that means taking a shortcut along the bridleway is ok. The one thing road bikes don’t have is suspension.

If you enjoy long cross-country rides, your perfect bike is a hardtail mountain bike

For general mountain biking, including long undulating rides and hitting the trails, a hardtail is going to be your perfect bike. It won’t be quite as bouncy on technical downhill sections as a full suspension bike, but you’ll appreciate the weight savings when tackling uphill sections or on longer rides.

A hardtail is also a good option for beginner off-road bikers who want to tackle a variety of different terrains. If this is you, a XC trail bike will be your perfect bike. If you’re looking at a bike for racing over moderate terrain, a lighter XC race bike may suit you better.

If you love the downhills, your perfect bike is an all-mountain/enduro bike

Enduro bikes are designed for races with fast downhills, complex terrain and short uphill sections. They have full suspension with plenty of travel in the front and rear shocks to tackle technical drops and obstacles. They’re not the easiest or lightest bikes to pedal back uphill and you wouldn’t want to use it for your commute, but it’s more versatile than a downhill racing bike. If you love downhills, an enduro will be your perfect bike.

If triathlons are your thing, your perfect bike is a road bike

What, not a tri bike? Nope. At least not if you can only choose ONE bike, which is the whole purpose of this buyers guide. Triathlon bikes are designed to reduce some of the impact of the cycling stage on your quads (so they’re ready for the final run), at the sacrifice of comfort. As well as a stiffer feel, tri bikes are typically fitted with fixed aerobars, so you only have one riding position.

They’re specialist bikes designed for flat-out racing on short, flat courses – pretty specific! A road bike is much more versatile: it’ll serve you better on hilly courses, be more comfortable for general riding and you won’t feel out of place riding it to the pub.

If you want a bit of extra help on the hills, your perfect bike is an electric bike

Regarded by some cyclists as ‘cheating’, electric bikes are becoming a more popular option for people who want the freedom and flexibility of a bike, but with a bit of assistance. They come in all shapes and sizes, from hybrid and road models to serious all-terrain mountain bikes.

An electric bike isn’t a free ride though – you still have to pedal, and they’re heavier than the equivalent non-electric bike so you’ll still get a good workout. If you live in a hilly area or suffer from joint problems, an electric steed may be the perfect bike to get you out and about.

How to choose your perfect bike

Now you know what type of bike you want, it’s time to go shopping. And that opens a whole new can of worms. What size frame? Which brakes are best? What size wheels do I need? This article from Jen Reviews gives a good overview of what you need to consider when buying a new bike and your local friendly bike shop staff will be more than willing to help you debate the options available.

Exploring The Best of Gairloch and Poolewe

by Alison Ingleby on August 15, 2017 in Misc, Vanlife • 0 Comments

Photo of Charlestown harbour with mountains behind

North-west Scotland is one of my favourite places in the world. I haven’t explored nearly enough of it yet, but one place I keep returning to is the area around Gairloch and Poolewe. Nestled between Torridon and Ullapool, it’s a family-friendly haven of beaches, mountains and lochs.

While some parts of the Highlands are arguably becoming overwhelmed by tourists during peak season (hello Skye!), so far Gairloch and Poolewe seem to have escaped this fate. Its remoteness probably helps this, along with the dreaded Scottish midge, but those who do make the journey will be rewarded with some of the most stunning scenery Scotland has to offer.

Gairloch and Poolewe: The Lowdown

Where is it?: Gairloch is part of Wester Ross on the northwest coast of Scotland, around 70 miles west of Inverness.
How to get there: Gairloch is about four and a half hours drive north of Edinburgh. Unfortunately, Wester Ross isn’t the most convenient area to navigate by public transport. The nearest train station to Gairloch is Achnasheen (connecting trains from Inverness) and there’s one bus a day to and from Inverness.
Where to stay: There’s plenty of accommodation in the area, including camping and caravan sites, B&Bs and self-catering cottages. Many campsites back onto beaches, including Gruinard Bay Caravan Park and Sands Caravan and Camping Park. There are also more basic (but beautiful) sites at Mellon Udrigle and Firemore Cove. We travelled in our campervan and spent most of the time wild camping (which is legal in Scotland). There are hundreds of beautiful spots to park up for the night – just make sure you follow proper wild camping etiquette.
When to go: Thanks to the nearby Gulf Stream, Gairloch and Poolewe typically have a milder climate than their northerly latitude would suggest. That said, this is Scotland, so if you go in the winter, don’t expect to be sunbathing. Being Scotland, it can also rain a lot. May–September are the best months to visit, but it’s pot luck as to whether you hit a sunny spell or a rainy week.
What to bring: A waterproof, sun cream and lots of midge repellent. Oh, and a camera, to capture the beautiful views.

Gairloch and Poolewe Highlights

You can find the ‘official’ highlights of what to do in Gairloch and Poolewe here. This is my unofficial guide, focused on the outdoor stuff you people love!

Badachro and Red Point Beach

Red Point Beach

Red Point Beach lies nine miles down a dead-end road off the A832. There are actually two beaches – one on either side of the headland – from which you can look across to the Isle of Skye. It’s a great beach for swimming (if you dare brave it!) and seal-spotting.

Badachro Bay

Back down the road, stop in at the Badachro Inn, a great pub located right on the harbour. Good food, good beer and great views.

Fairy Lochs

Fairy lochs

Fairy Lochs are a small group of freshwater lochans that lie in marshy ground in the hills behind the Shieldaig Lodge Hotel. They’re also the site of a wartime plane crash. An American Liberator bomber, flying back to the United States via Iceland crashed with the loss of all 15 crew and passengers. The strewn wreckage remains on the crash site as a memorial to those who lost their lives.

A pleasant 6 km circular loop takes you up to the lochans and back via Loch Braigh Horrisdale. Be warned – it’s boggy!

Wild Camping on the Beach

Wild camping

If you can brave the midges, the area around Gairloch and Poolewe has some of the most beautiful wild camping spots in the world. A campfire, hot dinner and the sound of lapping waves make for a perfect evening. If you’re new to wild camping, here are some tips.

Gruinard Bay

There are many, many beaches to explore in this area. But Gruinard Bay is one of the most spectacular. It’s actually a series of bays, with a huge tidal reach that can catch out unsuspecting sunbathers. You can scramble back to the car park above the high tide line, but I wouldn’t recommend it. (Voice of experience…)

An Teallach

Of all the Munros and other hills in this part of Scotland, An Teallach is the most intimidating. The full ridge is a Grade 3 scramble and a great day out. We started at Corrie Hallie and dropped down into Glas Tholl Corrie to give a circular route without too much road walking. It’s a popular day out and if the sun is shining, you’ll need to get there early to grab a car parking spot.