But the big question is, what gear do you need to take with you to make sure your trip goes smoothly (well, as smooth as downhill biking can get)? Here’s our round-up of kit that all mountain bikers should take with them when going to the Alps.

Flat pedals: These are essential for when the going gets rough.

Full face helmet/Knee/shin/elbow pads: Coming off your bike in the rocky dirt of the Alps isn’t pleasant, so make sure you’re well-protected.

Spare downhill inner tubes: Essential for any mountain biking holiday. You can get these around the Alps but it’s best not to take any chances.

Tool kit: Pack a tool kit with all the essentials you need for repairs, e.g. allen keys, chain whip, spare spokes etc.

Spare brake pads: These can be rather pricey around the Alps, so make sure you pack some spares.

Finger tape: With such intense rocky downhill tracks, you can bet your fingers will get sore. So pack some tape to wrap them up so you can keep biking.

Spare rear mech hanger: These can brake quite easily and it might be hard to find a local replacement that fits your bike, so bring a spare!

For more information about mountain biking holidays, as well as mountain bike route ideas, visit our home page.

Hopping on your bike is a great way to see a side of Ibiza that eludes most tourists. The Spanish island boast great sun-bleached scenery, mountainous landscapes, and sea views, all of which are best viewed at leisure from the saddle of a mountain bike. You can also plot out your bike routes to take in a number of local historical attractions.

There’s around twenty official bike routes around Ibiza that veer away from the touristy areas and take in the rustic interior of the island. All of these bike routes are really well sign-posted so you should have no trouble following them and they cater to both expert bike riders looking for a long tour and complete novices who just want a relaxing ride.

You can bring your own mountain bike to Ibiza and you’ll be well-severed by repair and gear. Even if you don’t have your own set of wheels you can take advantage of the numerous bike rental shops that litter the island.

Thinking of plotting your own bike route around Ibiza? Visit Trailzilla’s home page for more information on how to use our route mapper.

Plan your route

While just ambling around can be attractive, you should really plot your walking route carefully – or undertake an organised walk. Trailzilla lets you plan walking routes with ease, or you can do it the old fashioned way on an OS map.

Take a compass

It goes without saying that you’ll need a reliable compass when going on a long walk or hike, especially around the Lake District where you’re often left without distinguishing landmarks.

It’s all in the timing

When planning your walking route make sure you overestimate the amount of time the walk will take to complete. Unexpected detours can happen  - your walking pace may not be as fast as you think – and you don’t want to be stuck out on the moors when the sun goes down.

Waterproof clothing

The weather around the Lake District can change quickly, so make sure you take some waterproofs and some warm clothing.

Torch

Hopefully you’ve planned well enough to avoid getting stuck outside when night falls, but you never know what might happen and if you do find yourself groping around in the dark a torch is an absolute life-saver.

First aid kit

A first aid kit should be in your backpack no matter where you’re walking. Make sure you have antiseptic, gauze and plasters.

Memorial Fabio Casartelli

Fabio Casartelli was an Italian cyclist who died during a leg of the Tour De France and this biking event, which takes place in October, is in his honour. The event is held at St Girons and features a number of races, all which stop at the Casartelli memorial.

Cyclosportive L Ariegeoise

This event is a non-competitive race that allows cyclists of any level to take part, with the emphasis on having a good time.  Taking place in June, Cyclosportive L’ Ariegeoise, starts off in Tarascon and encompasses a number of bike trails and routes.

The Ronde de l’Isard

The Ronde de l’Isard is kind of like The Tour de France but for younger cyclists aged between 19 and 22. The event consists of a time trial, afternoon stage and then three full days of cycling. This year’s event took place on May 20th and the winner was France’s Kenny Elissonde.

For more information on bike trails, as well information on how to plot your own biking routes, visit the Trailzilla home page.

While Exmoor is one of the smaller of the UK’s national parks, it offers a diverse range of landscapes. From rocky and dense wooded areas, with lush vegetation, to stark moors that give us an insight into a primitive ancient landscape.

Exmoor walking routes can take in a number of spectacular sites. The massive cliffs by the Bristol Channel – a Heritage Coast site – offer stunning views of the park. Or you can work your way through the densely wooded Brendon Hill and out onto the striking moors where sheep graze on the lower slopes.

Exmoor national park features over 1000km of footpaths that wind over moors, woodland and trickling streams and there’s also plenty of walking guides that offer tours around some of the most scenic areas. Or, of course, you could use Trailzilla’s own walking route planner to plot your own bespoke journey.

However you choose to explore Exmoor just make sure you travel well-prepared, plot your routes carefully, take enough supplies, and always make sure you give yourself plenty of time to complete your route.

Devil’s Tor

Devil’s Tor is a set of rocks near Cowsic Valley. It’s not as scary as it sounds and no one is really sure of the reason for its satanic moniker, but it’s great area to visit. Start at Holming Beam and work your way to the stand stone of Beardown Man.

East Dart waterfall

The East Dart waterfall is one of the most beautiful sites at Dartmoor. You start off at Postbridge carpark and the walk winds around Lade Hill and Sittaford (check our route map). It’s a five mile walk, good for intermediates, and the views around East Dart valley are wonderful.

Great Links Tor

One of the biggest and most impressive tors on Dartmoor has to be the Great Links Tor – a striking rocky outcrop on the barren moors. It’s one of Dartmoor’s highest points and offers great views over the barren landscape below. Start out on the Granite Way, near Sourton, and take in Hunt Tor, Kitty Tor and Bleak House before coming up to Great Links. Be warned, this Dartmoor walking route is rather tough, so be prepared.

If more of us cycled to work it would cut rush hour congestion, and result in a healthier, fitter workforce with the all associated benefits of increased productivity and reduced absenteeism that entails.
Nearly a quarter of all car trips are made by people getting to and from work and we know that many of these are relatively short journeys of less than five miles, that could easily be cycled. Providing on site bike maintenance and cycling incentives and rewards, along with sending out clear signals from the top that cycling to and from the office is a good thing, can all help make cycling a realistic, alternative option for travelling to work.
This is an opportunity for employers, for a relatively low cost investment, to reap massive returns for their organisation and their communities: reduced congestion – means faster journey times, reduced carbon emissions – better air quality, and a healthier, fitter workforce.
Those who do choose to cycle to work, will find it is an economical way to get healthier and enjoy a better quality of life.

The Cycle to Work Scheme is part of the Government’s Green Transport Plan Initiative that allows people to get bikes tax free through their employers. The bikes and safety equipment are then hired to the employees on a suggested “salary sacrifice” system where a small figure gets taken monthly. The savings are made up from exemption from Income Tax, National Insurance Tax and VAT if the employer claims it back. It’s not uncommon for the savings to add up to around 40-50%. Not bad really.
At the end of the hire period – normally 12 months – the bikes can then be sold on by the employers to the employees for a “fair market price”. The employer can get money back, and the employee gets a cheap(er) bike!
Once you have your cheap bike you can take advantage of the Trailzilla cycling guides or cylcing to work route planners. Trailzilla offers FREE MAPS for cyclcing to work and the option to download routes to your IPhone , iPad , Android smartphone, Mac , PC or GPS

Taken all in all, with a cheap bike, free maps and doing your bit to “green” the planet; it’s not a bad day’s (cycle to) work.

It’s 267 miles of walking in the Pennines and Cheviots is, perhaps, best known for the bogs, mud and rain. Although that’s not all it offers.

Described as the the Granddaddy of Britain’s long distance footpaths and inextricably linked to Britain’s most famous long distance rambler: Arthur Wainright; completing it successfully has been described as a “spiritual experience”

Here are a few facts to ponder before setting out:

• It was the first National trail in this country
• To quote from the official literature: “Its original theme was the provision of the opportunity to make long distance journeys through predominantly wild country. The ability to navigate by map and compass was, and is, intended to be a necessary skill for those undertaking the route.”
• The Trail has:- 319km of Public Footpath, 112km of Public Bridleway 32km of Public Highway.
• The Pennine Way passes through three National Parks [Peak National Park, Yorkshire Dales National Park and Northumberland National Park] and the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – the largest in England. In all 365km of the route is in these designated areas for landscape protection.
• The Trail passes through many protected habitats and environments. These include:-2 Environmentally Sensitive Areas [125km], 20 Sites of Special Scientific Interest and 2 National Nature Reserves [197km],Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site [16km]
• Walker surveys indicate that:-
• 16% are walking less than two miles, 45% are out for less than a full day, 32%for a full day walk, and 7% are long distance walkers. Almost 30% are on a
  day trip and 68% on holiday or a short break.

For women the study revealed the resepctive figures were 3.9 years and 2.2 years.

So not really a major scientific revelation that regular exercise benefits health and so will help you to live longer! but it does show how cycling to work is a great way to fit regular exercise into a busy schedule and its cheaper than a season ticket. Download cycling to work maps at Trailzilla.com

Traditionally, the printed guidebook has been an essential item within any explorer’s pack. These helpful books contained trail information, hazard warnings, climate details and anything else which would have been helpful while in the great outdoors.

Nowadays though, these guides have moved into a digital format which can be stored on your mobile phone, tablet computer or GPS tracking system. As such, they can now contain much more information, giving the outdoor enthusiast more to work with.

Just make sure that you choose wisely when it comes to digital wilderness guides. There are a lot of differences with both the user interface and the amount of information contained within these systems, and some smart thinking is necessary so that you choose the best product available.