Overseas essentials

My world had shrunk to a bouncing circle of torchlight and a cloud of foggy breath. The only sounds were my breathing and the repetitive crunch of my footfall on the frozen trail. It was December and

Want to cycle 1,000 miles across rugged Scottish terrain, climbing more than twice the height of Everest? Oh, and it’s totally unsupported. Then try the Trans Alba race: you don’t have to be mad to do it, but it probably helps!

It’s 7pm. There is just 5km left between me and the cod drying rack that marks the finish of this race. I’ve got a cramp in my left thigh. I’m soaked through and just about to set foot into the forest

Q How can I run longer distances without getting tired? A As you run longer distances, it’s normal to feel tired. To run further without exhausting your body will mean adapting to the extra mileage an

I ’m projectile vomiting into a pool of light from my headtorch, the rest of the night reduced to strange noises and shadows in the jungle around me. I’m down to my last clean T-shirt, I can’t find my

Seasoned bikepacker and route guide Markus Stitz shares the six cycling destinations he rates as the very best in the world