I’ve enjoyed all manner of fantastic mini adventures in Colorado and New Mexico with Emma and Sage over the last month, a few of which I planned to write about and share…

But suddenly here I am back ‘home’ in England again, with nary a blog or Instagram post in sight! So, while I’m channeling an abundance of Dorset stoke, I’ll jump the queue and share some images from my first weekend in the UK’s South West… saving those US South West outings for later.

There are few spots like the Purbeck Hills when the summer sun is shining… so green, so verdant, so many flowers, so many stinging nettles, so many gates!

These last couple of days have been a heady blend of jet lag, local swims and local trails, cakes, cider, and coffee. Weather-wise, I’ve struck Purbeck gold for now, so I plan to make the most of it.

Whilst visiting the UK last year, I connected with Tom, Ben, and the Woods Cyclery Crew. It’s been a real delight to jump straight back into the thick of it again with such a wonderful band of friends – and talk life, bike builds, and more. I look forward to the weeks ahead, and the overnight campouts, sea swims, bike pushes, and bridleway bashes these lingering summery days will bring.

Rough Stuff Fellowship, Purbeck Chapter.

Feeling rather fortunate to have this goodness in my backyard… I fully intend to make the most of it!

Double espresso, cake, and a blob of clotted cream. Better get riding then!

Tom’s gorgeous Singular Peregrine Mk 3, with a custom framebag by Wizard Works and a Fabio’s Abs up front. How’s that for nomenclature…

After all the rain earlier this summer, the flowers here are popping (as are the stinging nettles, brambles, and thistles).

Cider and a pastie, please. Oh yes, it’s good to be back in Dorset!

None more jungly. Or bumpy. Or grassy. This is true ATB terrain, and I love it.

Rocky the Pugs, what a sweet little snuffler. And the same goes for Ben, too (-;

The Bikes

I’m riding my Jones LWB Spaceframe (steel, size M), with carbon hoops, Mezcal 2.6s, Paul brakes, PNW dropper, and a Shimano Linkglide drivetrain. I brought my Tailfin Aero Pack with me from the states – it’s so easy to move from bike to bike. The intention? A fun, easily serviced, durable ATB. I do like a dropper post on a rigid setup!

Tom’s the purveyor of the Woods Cyclery in the New Forest, so has quite the collection of bikes to choose from. For this ride, he was aboard his Singular Peregrine Mk 3. He still owns the OG version but for this build, he’s dabbling with an XL frameset and 27.5 x 2.5in Teravail Ehlines, complete with a massive custom Wizard Works framebag. I love the look of this bike, even if curly bars aren’t my thing these days.

Lastly, Ben’s aboard his trusty Crust Alumalith, as pieced together by the Woods Cyclery last year, in all its neo-retro glory. Cantis!!! His Cedaero Portage Pack sets it all off rather nicely. Maybe I can do a deep dive on this steed at some point, especially if I can catch him doing one of his famous wheelies.

The Ride

This ride is an all-terrain affair. Expect grassy ridges, stout climbs, rock (and breeze block) strewn descents, and just a brief moment on asphalt. Personally, I wouldn’t go too skinny on the tyres, though even if you do, it’s just a case of slowing down a little. And don’t forget, walking (a la Rough Stuff Fellowship) is also a great way of soaking up those views…

Check out the Ride With GPS map above, and keep an eye out for some of my favourite spots along the way.