Cycling legend Graeme Obree was once quoted as saying that, if his house was on fire, the first item he’d rescue from the flames would be his turbo trainer. We’re not saying you have to cherish your indoor trainer to quite the same extent as Mr Obree but, for maintaining consistency and quality of cycle…
Totally Active
Get into: Cyclo-cross
From the archive: If you’re looking to have some muddy fun this winter, increase your cycling fitness and develop your bike handling skills, give cyclo-cross a go. This article was first published on 13th October 2016 and is a feature piece from Totally Active. Shop our cycling collections now > What is it? If you’re…
The Cape Wrath Ultra
From the archive: Totally Active Gear Tester Paul Barton is an experienced trail and fell runner and mountain biker but the Cape Wrath Ultra was a new level of challenge. He had three hilly ultras under his belt, two just under 50 kilometres and the 64 kilometre High Peak 40 but how would he fare…
Interview with Diana Nyad, Open Water Swimmer
From the archive: In 2013, at the age of 64, Diana Nyad became the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without the aid of a shark cage, swimming 103 miles in fifty-three hours from Havana to Key West. The film, The Other Shore – The Diana Nyad Story, part of this year’s International…
Interview with Tamara Lunger, Alpine Climber
From the archive: Tamara Lunger is one of the stars of the European Outdoor Film Tour 2016. The two hour special edit of the year’s best outdoor and adventure films includes the 28 year old Italian’s ascent without supplemental oxygen of K2. The rising star of the alpine climbing world also held the World Champion…
Interview with Andy Cave, mountaineer
As Lowe Alpine celebrates its 50th anniversary, Totally Active speaks to legendary British mountaineer Andy Cave about his 20 years as an ambassador for the brand and how he was first introduced to climbing. This is an extract from an article first published in October 2017 in Totally Active. You left school to work as…
Tips and tricks for fell running
Paul Barton heads to the Lake District to pick up some technique tips from some of the best in the business and put them into practice on the Skiddaw Fell Race. This article was first published in October 2017 and is a feature piece from Totally Active. Shop the SportPursuit trail running collection now > This…
Interview with Ricky Lightfoot, Fell Runner
Chantelle Kelly speaks to fell running champion Ricky Lightfoot to find out how he felt when he completed the Bob Graham Round earlier this year and the struggles he faced along the way. This article was first published on 3rd October 2016 and is a feature piece from Totally Active. In January you completed the Bob…
Interview with Lucy Gossage, Triathlete
Lucy Gossage is a cancer doctor who last year put her career on hold to become a full-time, professional triathlete. A self-confessed late starter, Lucy didn’t do any sport seriously at school or university. Her first triathlon a decade ago was a New Year’s challenge to herself and she only tried Ironman after a bet…
The Bob Graham Round
Claire Maxted is an all-round outdoor lover, runner, cyclist, occasional climber and kayaker who has adventured all over the world but still insists the UK in good weather conditions is the best playground on the planet. She is editor of Trail Running magazine. This is a feature article from Totally Active Magazine originally posted on 30th September…
Tour of Flanders Sportive
With a love of cobbles, mud and beer, Totally Active Editor Nik Cook heads to Belgium to tackle the 239 kilometre Tour of Flanders sportive. This is a feature article from Totally Active Magazine originally posted 3rd October 2016. Like all cycling fans I’ll avidly watch the Grand Tours but the races that really fire me up…
Interview with Anna Frost, Ultrarunner
From the archive: New Zealander Anna Frost has been a professional ultra runner since 2004, following a hectic schedule travelling and racing all over the world. From the peak of setting a new record for the Transvulcania Ultramarathon in May 2012 she hit rock bottom, suffering with female athlete triad, a hormonal imbalance which caused…
Telemarking
Never one to shy away from a new challenge, cyclist and freelance journalist Juliet Elliott loves travelling the globe in pursuit of adventure and belly laughs. An ex-professional snowboarder who hung up her boots to go on tour with a metal band, these days you’re more likely to find her cycling than sliding sideways down…
Dirty Duathlons
Nik Cook gives you the low down on off-road duathlons and why they should be part of your autumn and winter racing schedule. This article was first published on 28th September 2016 and is a feature piece from Totally Active. Who are they for? Anyone from experienced triathletes looking for a competitive outlet through the winter…
Afan Welsh Gravity Enduro Mash-Up
A freelance journalist and sponsored rider, polymath cyclist Juliet Elliott loves exploring every corner of the cycling world. Throwing herself into every challenge she finds upon her journey, Juliet’s never happier than when on two wheels. In this feature from Totally Active, Juliet Elliott experiences the thrills and spills of Enduro mountain bike racing. This…
Nutrition for Triathlon
Ian Craig, MSc, DipCNE, INLPTA is an exercise physiologist, nutritional therapist, NLP practitioner and an endurance coach. Previously a competitive middle-distance runner, Ian specialises in sport from an integrative health perspective. He is the editor of Functional Sports Nutrition magazine and also lectures and writes extensively in the UK and South Africa on the concept…
Get into: Track Cycling
With six indoor velodromes in the UK find out how to give track cycling a go this winter. Read more articles like this in Totally Active Magazine. If you’re a cyclist, you can’t fail to have been inspired by the sensational success of the Great Britain’s cyclist this year, including standout performances from Team Sky’s…
Three Videos to Watch
Three great videos to inspire you to get out and get active Totally Active’s cyclocross expert Nick Craig gives a real feel for this unique and amazing event. In 2016, the inspirational Nicky Spinks made fell running history by becoming the fastest person to run a Double Bob Graham Round. The 49-year-old cancer survivor marked…
A Royal Ramble
The 440km long Kungsleden in Swedish Lapland offers hiking through some of Europe’s greatest wilderness. Lara Dunn heads north of the Arctic Circle to tackle part of it. This article was first published on 13th October 2016 and is a feature piece from Totally Active The Kungsleden stretches 440km from Abisko in the far north of…
Beginner’s Guide to Heart Rate (Part 1)
Nikalas Cook explains how to get the most out of your heart rate monitor. Read more articles like this in Totally Active Magazine. The first wireless heart rate monitor was invented in Finland in 1977 by Seppo Säynäjäkangas, founder of Polar, as a training aid for the Finnish National Cross Country Ski team. They became…
Grand Raid Cristalp Mountain Bike Race
Charlie Evans has worked for British Cycling for the last eight years, developing their coaching pathway across the road and mountain bike disciplines. He has raced mountain bike XC to an elite level, though enjoys nothing more than riding his home trails of the Peak District. Read more articles like this in Totally Active Magazine….
Is It Good To Go Long?
Fortunately, for magazines such as this one, endurance is currently very en vogue. Whereas, not so long ago, people would aspire to run a marathon, 26.2 miles is now just not enough and the once considered realm of supermen, ultra-running, is now their goal. Incredible challenges such as the Bob Graham Round or the Marathon…
Bike Fit Blues
Apart from the self inflicted, and enjoyable for some, burning pain in your quads and lungs when you’re pushing hard, cycling should be a pain free experience. It’s no coincidence that it’s the chosen rehabilitation activity following many injuries as it’s zero impact and therefore incredibly kind on your joints. However many cyclist do experience…
Trekking and Hiking Fitness Routine
Can’t get out on hills to prepare for a big hike or trekking trip? Don’t worry, top PT Ayo Williams has the perfect gym routine for you. Read more articles like this in Totally Active Magazine. The best training for trekking is to get out on the hills with a pack! However, with many of…