~ Field Notes ~

Bikepacking around Estonia’s Jurassic Park  
Thrilling activities, Refreshing screen break, Dramatic canals, Remote escape, Rugged landscapes, Adventure hub, xEstonia, bikepacking adventure Estonia, Estonia, Trek Marlin, Aidu quarry, Bikepacking, Bikepacking Estonia, europe Chris Shirley MA FRGS Thrilling activities, Refreshing screen break, Dramatic canals, Remote escape, Rugged landscapes, Adventure hub, xEstonia, bikepacking adventure Estonia, Estonia, Trek Marlin, Aidu quarry, Bikepacking, Bikepacking Estonia, europe Chris Shirley MA FRGS

Bikepacking around Estonia’s Jurassic Park  

Sensing I needed a work break, I organised my first bikepacking trip of the year in Estonia's Jurassic Park (aka the Aidu quarry). With my fully loaded Trek Marlin mountain bike, I explored rugged landscapes, deep craters, and dramatic canals. The quarry site offers some incredible views, perfect for a refreshing 24-hour screen break. A remote escape that left an unforgettable impression on me!

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Bikepacking the Eurovelo 11 route across Estonia
balance, work life balance, mental health, adventure, fortitude, compound adventure, millennial, Bikepacking Eurovelo, Bikepacking Europe, Bikepacking Estonia, gravel bike, cycling, wellness, health, resilience, health and wellness, cycle touring, Eurovelo 11, Eurovelo, Estonia, Bikepacking Chris Shirley MA FRGS balance, work life balance, mental health, adventure, fortitude, compound adventure, millennial, Bikepacking Eurovelo, Bikepacking Europe, Bikepacking Estonia, gravel bike, cycling, wellness, health, resilience, health and wellness, cycle touring, Eurovelo 11, Eurovelo, Estonia, Bikepacking Chris Shirley MA FRGS

Bikepacking the Eurovelo 11 route across Estonia

The Eurovelo cycling routes are one of Europe’s best kept secrets. Waymarked by blue signs with occasional directions to the next town, the routes criss-cross European countries.

The entire Eurovelo 11 route is c.6500 kilometres, starts at Nordkapp (the most northerly point in Europe) and finishes at the southern tip of Greece, covering 11 countries on the route. It’s apparently referred to as ‘the Beast of the East’ (according to the official website) and completing it in stages is quickly becoming a personal goal.

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10 UK-based expeditions to take on in 2023 and beyond
Ocean rowing, Bikepacking, Bikerafting, Fastpacking, Snowdon, Crib Goch, Snowdon horseshoe, Snowdonia, South west coast path, Corrvreckan, Corryvreckan whirlpool, Alpacka, Alpacka raft, Alpacka packraft, Penine way, Edale, Trail divide, Colorado trail, South downs way, Llyn Padarn, Windermere, South downs, Spine race, South west coastal path, Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis, Ironraft, Ironraft packraft Chris Shirley MA FRGS Ocean rowing, Bikepacking, Bikerafting, Fastpacking, Snowdon, Crib Goch, Snowdon horseshoe, Snowdonia, South west coast path, Corrvreckan, Corryvreckan whirlpool, Alpacka, Alpacka raft, Alpacka packraft, Penine way, Edale, Trail divide, Colorado trail, South downs way, Llyn Padarn, Windermere, South downs, Spine race, South west coastal path, Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis, Ironraft, Ironraft packraft Chris Shirley MA FRGS

10 UK-based expeditions to take on in 2023 and beyond

During the lockdowns, I wanted to start planning endeavours for when they’d completely ended, so I compiled (and in some cases designed) a bunch of UK-based physical challenges that can be completed according to difficulty.

I started off with 5 ideas that soon sprouted and turned into 5 more – so I allocated them a difficulty rating along the lines of medal you’d get for completing them.

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