I do have some words and images from my time in New England in the posting pot, because it would be a (minor) travesty not to wrap up my wonderful time there and share some of the routes I rode.

But let’s fast forward to the UK for now, as it’s the first time I’ve been back in Blighty close to 4 years, and I’m thrilled to be ‘home’! To kick off, here’s a little ride in Purbeck that I enjoyed today – it’s actually part of a longer route I posted to Bikepacking.com, the Purbeck Bimble, a gentle ramble that I enjoyed with Mike a few years ago.

If I lived here again, I could see this ride becoming my Local Loop of sorts. I enjoy the cathartic value of repeating a particular ride again and again, of observing new details each time around, and uncovering its character traits in weather both good and bad. Seeing it at its best, and when it’s in a temper!

Ground Effect Tardis Mini Review

First things first, though. Thanks to strategic packing (cheers for the help, Seth!) and the bigger-than-it-looks Ground Effect Tardis, the LWB arrived safe and sound in London, and I built it back up in the garden here in Dorset on a gloriously sunny day.

This really is a clever bike bag, and one that’s very easy to use.

• First, pull off your pedals and wrap them up in something soft. Then, remove both wheels and place them on either side of the bag in the sleeves (I like to remove disc rotors too), so they sandwich your frame like a BLT. Fit the fork and dropout spacers to protect them from getting crushed. The Tardis actually comes with a set but I lost mine – it’s easy enough to cut down replacement ones with 1/2 inch PVC tubing for the rear and 7/8th for the front, which is what you can see in these images.
• Next, unbolt your handlebars and strap them to the top tube, making sure there’s some padding crammed in there too. It’s best to remove the derailleur too – I Voile-strap it between the stays in bubble wrap – and while you’re at it, you might as well remove the chain. Pull out the seat post, and tape a piece of cardboard to it so it doesn’t go on a gouging rampage.
• Place the frame between the wheels and add strategically positioned bits of reused cardboard, camping gear, or whatever else you have to hand for further protection. Seth made me a little derailleur protector too, from a piece of PVC pipe, though in hindsight, I might be tempted to remove it entirely as it’s easy to do on my frame.
• I like to position big pieces of cardboard between the wheels and the frame, so there’s no risk that any metal touches. Be sure to run additional cardboard along all the edges, for added protection to the dropouts, fork, and seat collar. Double-check that no bits of metal can rub or potentially gauge other bits of metal, even if the bag is jostled roughly around, as is often the way with baggage handlers.
• The bag can then be zipped up (I intend to get a small lock) and its exterior straps cinched tightly into place. This hugs everything inside and creates a remarkably sturdy (yet relatively light) package that should be able to handle a knock or two.

Although taking bikes on planes is always a nerve-racking game of roulette, I’ve used these bags for many years without any issues. If the bag does get damaged en route – mine has a couple of small abrasion tears – it’s easy enough to repair. I do, however, think they’re likely best suited to more robust steeds, like mountain bikes and touring bikes, rather than spindly and delicate carbon road bikes, where a rigid bike box may be better.

Derailleur removed and Voile-strapped to stays. Handlebars cinched to the top tube using my Austere straps, with padding. PVC frame and fork braces installed. Rotors removed and flat packed. The key is to keep metal from touching metal, or rattling around during transit.

All the dimensions are on the Ground Effect website but in real-world terms, the Tardis fits across the back seat of a small taxi or can just be smuggled aboard a TGV train in France too, which often requires bikes to be stored in a fairly small bag. There are rarely any issues when taking it on conventional trains, too.

Even with your trusty steed inside and accompanying paraphernalia (mine weighed in at 23kg, with lots of camping gear), it’s possible to carry it over your shoulder for short distances… or at least, it’s much easier than hefting-dragging a big bike box up and down curbs. What’s more, an empty Tardis can be folded into the provided pouch to create an A4-shaped parcel (tipping the scales at just 1.8kg). It can then be discreetly stashed in a guesthouse, or posted to your destination if you’re embarking on an A to B ride.

This is the ‘newer’ version of this bag. It’s a bit roomier than my original one from years past and is designed to accommodate modern hardtails, as well as plus and fat-tyred bikes. I was pleasantly surprised that I didn’t even need to remove the truss fork on my rather long Jones LWB (size M, 46.3″/1178mm wheelbase). I know some bikes are getting really long now, so you may need to remove the fork.

And hey presto, it’s a bike again.

I took the LWB (and a thermos of afternoon coffee) up to the local folly – Grange Arch – to soak up the light. Also, what is it about the Fabio’s Chest in ‘Ron’s Burgundy’? It just looks so freakin’ good against that 18th Century stonework!

I call this grassy bridleway ‘The Chute’. It has a couple of launching opportunities for low-drama jumps too!

Unrelated by related. One of this year’s discoveries has been these usually long Pedaling Innovations platform pedals, which are worthy of their own writeup. It took some time getting used to the different foot placement (the arch of your foot is positioned over the spindle, rather than the ball of the foot), but now that I have, consider me a convert. The pedalling position feels efficient, powerful, and as someone who rides in fairly flexible shoes, especially comfortable and bereft of hot spots. When I jump back on a bike with standard pedals, like my beloved Hope F20s, it feels like I”m riding on tip toes! This has created a new financial conundrum though… I think I’m going to need another set or two.

In the image above, they’re paired here with my 5.10s and some purply new Bikepacking.com socks. Snazzy. Find them here!

What is it with 2 x selfies in one post?! I must be happy to be back in Dorset…

I only intended to get out for a quick ride, but my mind wandered, the sun shone, and I found myself diving down the brambly bridleway to Chapman’s Pool… for the promise of a swim.

A momentary impasse, before this bleating sheep galloped off down the trail.

The sweet summer smell of wild garlic in shaded woods…

Dropping into Chapman’s Pool. This little segment of the ride is petite, but well worth the out and back.

Can’t. Stop. Taking. Photos. Of. This. Bike. It does look good, right?

After all our recent swims in frigid Lake Champlain, Vermont, the English Channel felt warm and almost bath-like.

Grass up the middle.

I made eye contact with mama sheep and she let me pass.

Although I now have a working cell phone, I considered making a call to a far-off land, from a red telephone box deep in the English countryside.

A museum of fossils and local finds at the Square and Compass… and a crumbling Corfe Castle that’s almost a thousand years old…

Through the village and up a last hill, before The Chute home.

Purbeck Local Loop

I’ve included some POIs, marking some nice places to eat and swim!

Bonus Kimmeridge

Popping down to Kimmeridge is another option! Here are a few images from the area.

Music I’ve been listening to

• Vulture Prince by Arooj Aftab

• The Nation’s Most Central Location by Warrington Runcorn New Town Development Plan

• El Bueno y El Malo by Hermanos Gutierrez

Thanks for the recommendations, Simon. Incidentally, Simon Weller is one of my fav photographers and a good friend, check him out here. He has an enviable collection of bicycles, too!

Thanks for reading! Questions? Fire away!