Tim Moss Expert Interview
Tim Moss is a serious adventurer, a Guiness World Record holder no less (longest journey by rickshaw!).
His blog records all of his adventures, including a recent 17-month, 13,000 around the world cycle trip, which makes for an inspiring read. For now though, Tim is back home and getting itchy feet.
Hi Tim, thanks for agreeing to get involved. We've been reading your adventures and they're pretty epic. What's your favourite memory closer to home though?
My favourite camping memory is from one of my earliest bivvying experiences. It was on top of Glyder Fach in North Wales on a cool autumn evening. We had the whole place to ourselves from sunset to sunrise (of which we watched both) and had that wonderful feeling of knowing that it's cold outside but that you're warm inside your sleeping bag.
Toasty! What about an experience you'd rather forget?
When I was 17, my friends and I set out to walk across Dartmoor in the winter. We pitched early in a copse and were getting comfortable in our tents when we were lit up by headlights, apparently in someone's driveway. Needless to say, he was unimpressed.
We rapidly gathered our belongings and crunched our way through frozen snow by moonlight, carrying our bundled tents in our arms and feeling sorry for ourselves. Now, I always ask permission before camping.
That's sound advice for sure. Do you have any cycling tips you can share?
The same advice I give for most adventures: just go. If you know how to ride a bike then you know all that you need to about cycling and cycle touring. Anything else is a bonus that you'll pick up in the end.
That's not facetious or dismissive. It's just meant as a reminder that you can never have all of your questions answered in advice and you can never be 100% prepared. The one single thing you can do to guarantee you go on your bike ride or have that adventure is to pack your bag, put your shoes and step out the front door.
What about favourite cycle routes?
My old commute from Hampton Court to the Royal Geographical Society in South Kensington. I loved knowing all the quickest routes and quietest roads though London. Richmond Park is always a treat - accelerating up the hill, looking out for deer or sneaking through the darkness after its been closed to cars.
What is the strangest thing you always pack?
People always smile when we tell them we took the kitchen sink with us on our round-the-world cycle trip but it was excellent. A small folding kitchen sink, made by Ortlieb, made washing up so much easier in the middle of nowhere, and gave us somewhere to wash our vegetables, soak our feet and chill our beers (not all in the same evening).
There's nothing wrong with a few home comforts! What about microadventures closer to home?
In 2011 I came across the fantastic fact that, no matter where in the UK are you standing, you are never more than 70 miles from the sea. Sitting in my London flat, this seemed unfathomable so I set out to test it the old fashioned way.
I tied my shoe laces and started running east. 12 hours and 55 miles later I arrived at the Essex coast. The fact that the tide was about a mile out did spoil my finale a little but the fish and chips felt like compensation enough.
Where is your favourite place in the UK?
The Outer Hebrides will always have a special place in my heart. Such a great feeling of remoteness and calm.
Yes, a popular choice that. What about somewhere secret and undiscovered?
The aforementioned summit of Glyder Fach (or Glyder Fawr, I can never remember which - perhaps that will help keep it undiscovered?). Easy to lose yourself - in a good way - and the perfect spot for a night under the stars. It'd be pretty bleak in bad weather though so go prepared.
Is there anywhere you're planning to explore next?
I've just moved up to "the North" so am looking forward to exploring Lancashire which I hear so much about.
Finally, what experience do you think should be on everyone's UK bucket list?
Sleeping under the stars in a bivvy bag.
Short and sweet, but no less accurate for it! Thanks Tim :)
Tim's website, The Next Challenge offers free advice for aspiring adventurers and has supported over 100 expeditions across all seven continents. You can also connect with him on Facebook and Twitter.