Secret Compass are a young tour operator that pioneer expeditionary trips around the world. With 2012 departure dates set for trips to Mexico, South Sudan, Afganistan, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, founders Levison Wood and Tom Bodkin are working on new itineraries in Madagascar, the Congo, Argentina, Iraq and Brazil. As such as young company, Secret Compass are in a great position to refresh adventure touring and create demanding adventures with team action. One of Secret Compass’ focuses is to find trips that have a historical relevance, particularly within exploratory myths. Their tour in South Sudan follows the footsteps of one famous explorer, Samuel Baker.

Here are some edits from this summer’s whitewater exploits – enjoy. 2011 Whitewater Grand Prix by Tribe Rider MF Nooksack Canyon by The Bomb Flow Riders of the Year  II … Read more

In August, I linked up with a group of Clif Bar employees on a fundraising ride for their Climate Ride California. After meeting at the Clif-owned Velo Vino tasting room in St. … Read more

Thursday night saw the London premiere of All.I.Can, a film by Sherpas Cinema and sponsored by numerous adventure brands including Arc’teryx and The North Face. The film has been two years in the making … Read more

The final Great Swim Series event of the year took place on a beautifully sunny September day in Strathclyde National Park. Scotland’s usual cold weather kindly abated for the weekend, making for a spectacular swim and an enjoyable day for the nearly 2,000 participants and their supporters.

As technology takes a greater hold on the way we run our lives, it’s no surprise that adventure brands are jumping on the digital band wagon to enhance user experience. To bring their adventure software in line with established platforms from other watch manufacturers, Suunto released Movescount, their version of performance tracking. As well as updating training data features, Suunto introduced a neat social networking element to enhance the Movescount product. Here I’ll outline some of the key features, and guide you through the process of setting up an account.

Found on the northern edge of Spain’s Costa Brava in the heart of Dalí country, Hostal Spa Empúries has recently furnished its way to the top end of eco-chic tourism, becoming … Read more

Aware of the similarities between adventure apparel and functional travel gear, many brands have begun to develop products that represent this crossover within the leisure sector. Columbia Sportswear offer a particularly extensive range of travel-suited adventure gear and with some exciting new products on the shelves this season, I’ll run through some flavoursome products from their summer alpine range.

As a key product in Columbia’s trail running armoury, the Trail Pro Freezer Crew reflects the brand’s efforts to innovate and design for an emerging adventure activity. While many apparel and footwear brands jostle for recognition in trail running, Columbia have developed the Trail Pro to create a unique product with a simple effectiveness, mirrored by similar inroads on the backpack scene with the now legendary Mobex. Though more minamalist and sport-specific, the the Trail Pro garners similar support.

Following research into the therapeutic benefits of beetroot juice in reducing high blood pressure, scientists then looked at the advantages of nitrates as a sports supplement. The William Harvey Institute has conducted research in the area to find out the effects of vascular contraction and dilation, while Exeter University Sports Science have been testing athletes changes to their their oxygen efficiency and stamina levels when taking the shot itself. Find out more about this research on the Beet It Research Page.

Having ridden in the Chiltern Hills for nearly three years now, I thought that I would share my favourite road routes in the area. In the Google Map below is a 17 mile loop that can be extended by taking a right, or carrying straight on through the Fingest junction. Fingest is often rates one of the prettiest places to live in the UK, and is within walking distance of great pubs such as The Chequers Inn and The Bull & the Butcher in Turville. There is also a pub nearer Marlow, The Prince Albert.

Despite its wide availability in supermarkets across the country Soreen malt loaf benefits for sportsmen and women shouldn’t be overlooked. Each loaf is packed with carbohdyrate goodness and, with the newly released banana flavour, now offers something new for active lifestyles and performance athletes.

Any runner has got to love a brand that goes by the slogan of ‘Human Propulsion Laboratories’. Nathan Performance Gear, aware of the growth of running and multi-sports activities, design gear to aid … Read more

For mountain bike enthusiasts and trail runners in the London area there’s a new event worth checking out – the Columbia Hellrider. The duathlon challenge not only adds an extra competition to the racing calendar, but promotes a stunning outdoor location at West Wycombe Park, less than an hours train or drivve from the centre of London.

This season sees the launch of a new fleet of performance yachts into the European Racing scene. Sunsail have released 42 of their new F40 range to establish a firmer foothold in both the European racing circuits and the emerging novice market. Together the 42 yachts make up the world’s largest matched charter fleet.

Win a pair of Smith Optics Goggles in the Magnetic Junction Spring Giveaway

The Alpine Invader ski jacket is part of the Columbia Omni-Heat collection, the brand’s latest innovation for outdoor winter adventures. Whether challenging black pistes or baguette-break runs make up your morning agenda on the mountain, the Alpine Invader promises to be a trustworthy ally.

Armada Subversion Ski Pant

Following the tsunami that hit Japan on 11th March 2011, international disaster relief charity ShelterBox have arrived on the scene to help the response to the situation. The 8.5-magnitude earthquake … Read more