Digital editor Richard Windsor’s Meteor Works Aesir tourer

A few years ago I decided to give up doing anything particularly fast or competitive on a bicycle any more, much as I enjoyed paying for the privilege of finishing in the mid to low end of a local road race.

Long-distance, multi-day touring had captured my interest – an activity much better suited to sub-zone two riding but still literally packed with challenges thanks to the sheer number of hours and days spent loaded up in the saddle.

For my initial