Fat Girl On A Bicycle

Meet Emily Chappell, a hero of mine. A reformed London cycle courier, she’s cycled from Wales to Japan, from Anchorage to Seattle in the depth of winter and raced across Europe on the gruelling Transcontinental Race.

On Thursday 3 March 2016 I took her for lunch - excuse the background noise - and we talked about the joys and perceived pitfalls of riding long distances alone, ice lollies versus ice cream and how riding the Alaska Highway is actually easier than a winters day in the United Kingdom.

Emily’s new book is What Goes Around: A London Cycle Courier's Story, find out more about it on her fantastic blog: http://thatemilychappell.com/2016/01/by-the-way/

Music is Beyond the Blue Horizon by The Green Brothers: https://archive.org/details/GreenBrothers147Songs

What is the secret of a bike jumble?

The Manchester Velodrome Cycle Jumble is the largest indoor event of its kind in the world. I've attended as a shopper for a few years, and headed along this year as a stall holder.

I thought it would be a good way to make some spends and clear out clutter. Turns out that wasn't the point.

I talked to some old and new hands, trying to uncover the secret of a bike jumble. Thanks to everyone who chatted to me.

Background music by Black Keys Bob Stevenson, used under a CC licence: https://archive.org/details/GreatestSaloonPianoHits

“I got a bottle of fanta - I didn't drink it - I just rolled it over my head...”

Around 30 years ago, my Dad’s best mate - Phil Collins* - decided to take his bicycle to Morocco. Based on his experiences, this is a short podcast about how not to go cycling in the Sahara.

(Just a chap who happens to have the same name as *that* Phil Collins.)

Background music is traditional Moroccan music from the Freesounds website, used under a Creative Commons license: https://www.freesound.org/people/Eelke/sounds/266651/

A short podcast about failing at cycling.

I had the idea that I would ride the 200-odd miles "home" for Christmas. But frankly wasn't up to it physically or mentally.

Music from Manchester by Impulse Powers, you can buy the EP City Songs on Bandcamp: https://theimpulsepowers.bandcamp.com/album/city-songs