How to get into the outdoors? Top tips from the UK's most exciting adventurers
Sometimes it's hard to know what local groups to join or where to meet fellow outdoorsy folk. That's why we have brought together the UK’s most inspiring guest speakers and community groups, to share their thoughts on how you too can get involved in your own adventures - both big and small! From record breaking adaptive adventurers to community cycling groups, Olympic athlete nutrition advisors to award-winning endurance athletes; get inspired with these top tips to adventure in a way that suits you.
Sabrina Pace-Humphreys
Sabrina Pace-Humphreys is the co-founder of Black Trail Runners, author, a trail and mountain ultrarunning athlete, personal trainer and podcast host with a vision for a truly inclusive outdoors. Sabrina aims to break down the barriers to access the outdoors for people of colour.
Q: One word that sums up your relationship with the outdoors?
A: Addicted.
Q: Tell us why you love spending time outdoors?
A: It gives me all I need to manage the constant demand of life - it’s healing.
Q: What would be your top tip to getting started on a new adventure?
A: Find adventure in your own locality. Seek out new places.
Q: Favourite destination you've visited on an adventure?
A: The Alps.
Renee McGregor
Renee McGregor is an ultra runner and sports dietitian whose work covers women’s health and the menopause, healthy ageing, and the inclusion of individuals who don’t necessarily conform to the stereotype of an athlete. Renee’s career has spanned 20 years, including the London Olympics, Rio Paralympics and Commonwealth Games in Queensland. She is the author of five books and has completed epic ultra running challenges including the seven-day Manaslu trail race (220 km through the Himalayas).
Q: One word that sums up your relationship with the outdoors?
A: Peace.
Q: Tell us why you love spending time outdoors?
A: Being outdoors creates an instant calm in my mind and body. I feel most like me when I’m out in nature. The landscapes and surroundings instil a sense of grounding and remind me how amazing Mother Nature is. I feel most at home when I’m outdoors.
Q: What would be your top tip to getting started on a new adventure?
A: Remember it doesn’t have to be extreme to be an adventure - just learning to step out of your comfort zone even for a short while creates a huge sense of adventure but also boosts your self esteem, knowing you did something new, overcame some fears and learnt from it.
Q: Favourite destination you've visited on an adventure?
A: Nepal, Himalayas.
Lakes Gravel Gang
Lakes Gravel Gang is all about building a community of local women who like riding bikes off road. Drinking coffee, sharing stories, forming friendships and building confidence through inclusive social rides and meet ups.
Q: One word that sums up your relationship with the outdoors?
A: Empowerment.
Q: Tell us why you love spending time outdoors?
A: It’s a tool for brilliant community and confidence building.
Q: What would be your top tip to getting started on a new adventure?
A: Find a supportive, friendly and welcoming community to become your cheerleaders!
Q: Favourite destination you've visited on an adventure?
A: Anywhere with a cafe stop! We love Lucia’s in Grasmere.
Jamie Ramsay
Endurance athlete Jamie Ramsay has completed over 43,000 km of human powered adventures in 31 countries on 25 different adventures. Best known for running 17,000 km solo and unsupported from Vancouver to Buenos Aires, Jamie has also taken on numerous other adventures such as cycling across the USA and Australia, trekking across Utah and Mongolia and running across Iceland. When not doing or planning adventures, Jamie is a Cotswold Ambassador, public speaker and presenter.
Q: One word that sums up your relationship with the outdoors?
A: Freedom.
Q: Tell us why you love spending time outdoors?
A: It is my chance to recalibrate and learn more about what I am capable of.
Q: What would be your top tip to getting started on a new adventure?
A: The flippant one would be "Just walk out your front door!" But seriously, I would start small and each time you venture into the outdoors, try and find a way that pushes your boundaries.
Q: Favourite destination you've visited on an adventure?
A: Too difficult - But if I HAD to pick, then it would be bikepacking across the flooded Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia.
Steph Wetherell from Every Body Outdoors
Every Body Outdoors advocates for clothing, gear and representation for larger and plus sized bodies in the outdoors movement in the UK.
Q: One word that sums up your relationship with the outdoors?
A: Expansive.
Q: Tell us why you love spending time outdoors?
A: I love the headspace it gives me, how it takes me to places I wouldn't otherwise have gone, and how strong it makes my body feel.
Q: What would be your top tip to getting started on a new adventure?
A: Find something at the edge of your comfort zone - something that pushes you gently but that is within your ability. Don't measure success by what that means for other people.
Q: Favourite destination you've visited on an adventure?
A: Norway!
Hear from Every Body Outdoors in Bristol as part of the Kendal Mountain Tour in June.
Dominique DeLeon from Ebony Hikers
Ebony Hikers provides inspiration, encouragement and support for people with Black ancestry in Birmingham of all ages, who are interested in exploring the outdoors through walking and hiking.
Q: One word that sums up your relationship with the outdoors?
A: Magical.
Q: Tell us why you love spending time outdoors?
A: The outdoors provides opportunities to escape from the chaos that can be the real world.
Q: What would be your top tip to getting started on a new adventure?
A: Bring snacks!
Q: Favourite destination you've visited on an adventure?
A: Cairngorms National Park.
Hear from Ebony Hikers in Birmingham as part of the Kendal Mountain Tour in May.
Darren Edwards
Since sustaining a life-changing injury, Darren Edwards has completed some epic challenges - whether that be freediving to depths of over 30ft on one breath, or becoming the first disabled person to kayak from Land’s End to John O’ Groats. Darren has just completed his biggest challenge to date, becoming the first disabled person to complete the iconic World Marathon Challenge. That’s seven marathons across seven continents in just seven days.
Q: One word that sums up your relationship with the outdoors?
A: Essential.
Q: Tell us why you love spending time outdoors?
A: It is the only time when I feel truly alive.
Q: What would be your top tip to getting started on a new adventure?
A: Don't be afraid to start small, to take small steps…
Q: Favourite destination you've visited on an adventure?
A: Icelandic glaciers.
Hear from Darren in Canterbury as part of the Kendal Mountain Tour in June.