Huw Oliver

Huw’s favorite thing to read is a map – when he moved across the border to Scotland, the first thing he did was buy one. Bikes are a good way to check that the map wasn’t lying, and the resulting trips have taken him to nearly every bog in Scotland, to Patagonia, Nepal and Arctic Lapland. The odd bikepacking race thrown in for good measure keeps him honest. More recently, the addition of a packraft meant that even the blue bits of the map are fair game! Occasionally, he works as an outdoor educator and mountain bike coach, hoping to show other people why they ought to read more maps, too. His blog is Topofests.com.

Gear & Tips for Touring the Iditarod

In March 2023 I rode the Iditarod Trail from Knik to Nome, crossing around 1,000 miles of Alaskan terrain over the course of three weeks, on what has got to be one of the most rewarding winter journeys anywhere in the world. The route was intimidating, but also exciting, since I learned a long time … Gear & Tips for Touring the Iditarod

Going Round in Circles on the Cairngorms Loop

A couple of weeks ago, I took advantage of a dry spell to have a go at a fast ride on the Cairngorms Loop. I’ve ridden most of the loop many times, but somehow have never gotten around to riding all of it continuously. Based on what I knew and other people’s rides, I figured … Going Round in Circles on the Cairngorms Loop

Ride – Lead – Race – Q&A With Scotland’s Emma Holgate

Emma Holgate likes to chase adventures through the mountains on bikes and skis. Having worked as a ski patroller in the gnarly weather of Scotland’s ski hills, and set up her own mountain bike guiding business, she now works full time as a bike instructor at Scotland’s national outdoor training centre in the Cairngorms, helping … Ride – Lead – Race – Q&A With Scotland’s Emma Holgate

Desert Dreams and Ghost Cows – Fastest Rookie Time Ever on the AZT with Huw Oliver

Going in to the AZT300, my main aim was simply to be present, be confident in myself and to find that elusive state of mind that makes ultra-racing so utterly addicitive. Annie and me spent a full month in Arizona, spending some time with Kurt Refsnider and Kaitlyn Boyle, the respective male and female record … Desert Dreams and Ghost Cows – Fastest Rookie Time Ever on the AZT with Huw Oliver

Tread Lightly: The Three Plateaus

The granite plateaus of the cairngorms began their life far from the sun, at the roots of a mountain chain, at a time when Scotland and America were still parts of the same landmass. Wind, water and ice took their toll, and the mountains were eroded into nothing, but their roots remained. Ice came and … Tread Lightly: The Three Plateaus

Highland Trail 550 Gear Freak-Out

The 2018 Highland Trail got a little too exciting for me, and in the end wasn’t a completion, although it had nothing to do with my gear choices. I do like to indulge in a little gear nerding from time to time, and optimizing my kit for this year gave me something to think about … Highland Trail 550 Gear Freak-Out