Routes, trips and practical outdoor learning — from DofE expedition skills to cycling, hiking and adventure planning. A space for outdoor routes, expedition ideas, DofE learning resources and honest notes from time spent walking, cycling, travelling and leading in the outdoors.
Routes, trips and practical outdoor learning
The outdoors has always been a place for challenge, perspective and learning. Through cycling, walking, expedition planning and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award leadership, I’ve seen how valuable the outdoors can be — not just for adventure, but for confidence, resilience and decision-making.
This part of the site brings together practical resources, route notes, trip reflections and educational content for people interested in outdoor travel, DofE expeditions and accessible adventure.
Practical adventure, useful guidance and real outdoor experience.
Featured Resource Section
DofE Expedition Kit List
A practical guide to the kit young people need for a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expedition — covering what matters, what can be borrowed, what is worth spending money on, and how to avoid overpacking.
Rucksack & Packing
Sleeping System
Waterproofs & Clothing
Cooking & Food
Navigation & Safety
Optional Extras
Route Guides
Walking, cycling and expedition route notes with practical information on terrain, distance and what to expect.
Navigation Basics
Beginner-friendly notes on map reading, bearings, pacing, route choice and making good decisions in the field.
DofE Resources
Simple, practical guidance for expedition preparation, outdoor skills, navigation, camp-craft and confidence-building.
Cycling & Bikepacking
Long-distance rides, cycling routes, packing notes and lessons from time spent travelling by bike.
Kit Lists
Straight forward kit guidance for day walks, DofE expeditions, cycling trips and multi-day outdoor travel.
Trip Notes
Honest reflections from walks, rides, trips and challenges — what worked, what didn’t, and what I’d do differently next time.
DofE expedition learning
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is one of the best ways for young people to build confidence, independence and resilience outdoors. These resources are designed to make expedition preparation clearer, calmer and more practical.
The aim is not to overcomplicate the outdoors. It is to help participants understand the basics, prepare properly and feel capable when they step onto the route.
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How to plan a realistic expedition route, understand distance and terrain, identify checkpoints, think about timings and avoid building a route that looks fine on paper but becomes too demanding on the ground.
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Simple guidance on map reading, compass use, bearings, handrails, catching features, pacing and making sensible decisions when the route becomes less obvious.
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Practical advice on pitching tents, cooking safely, organising kit, staying warm, managing wet conditions and leaving camp properly.
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Practical advice on pitching tents, cooking safely, organising kit, staying warm, managing wet conditions and leaving camp properly.
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How groups can look after each other, communicate clearly, manage tiredness, respond to changes in weather and make calm decisions outdoors.
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The outdoors can feel intimidating at first. These resources are designed to help young people build confidence through preparation, practice and positive experience.
Kit that works in the real world
Good outdoor kit does not need to be the most expensive. It needs to be suitable, reliable, comfortable and understood by the person using it.
These kit notes are designed to help people make sensible choices — especially for DofE expeditions, day walks and multi-day trips where comfort, safety and weight all matter.
Walking Routes
Accessible routes, training walks and expedition-friendly terrain across Yorkshire, the North and beyond.
Cycling Routes
Long-distance rides, endurance cycling notes and practical reflections from travelling by bike.
Expedition notes
Lessons from planning, leading and taking part in outdoor challenges, with a focus on preparation and confidence.
Outdoor leadership & learning
Outdoor leadership is about more than getting from one point to another. It is about helping people prepare, make decisions, work as a team and build confidence through experience.
Through my DofE role, I’m interested in making outdoor learning practical, accessible and positive — especially for young people who may be stepping into these environments for the first time.
Expedition preparation
Expedition Assessment
Route planning and navigation
Camp-craft and outdoor routines
Group confidence and decision-making
Practical outdoor safety
Reflection and learning after the trip
“I’m not interested in making the outdoors feel complicated or exclusive. The best outdoor experiences are often simple: a good route, decent preparation, the right people and the willingness to keep learning.”
— Allan Rice
