WALES IN YELLOW: LE TOUR RETURNS

have amazing news, something I’ve been waiting for has finally dropped: the Grand Départ is returning to the UK! There is an unrivalled magic when the Tour de France crosses the Channel, and I am absolutely buzzing that the world's greatest sporting spectacle is set to grace our backyard once again. Not since that spine-tingling summer of 2014 have we seen the peloton on British roads, and the prospect of that electric atmosphere returning is nothing short of incredible.

This time, however, the yellow jersey is heading north and west. With Stage One in Scotland, Stage Two in Cumbria, and Stage Three in Wales, the route is skipping Yorkshire—but it's that Welsh stage that has me dreaming. To see the world’s elite riders tackle the roads of my favourite place on earth would be a total thrill. While I’m a realist about the logistics of making it to the roadside, you can bet I’m already looking for ways to tag a viewing onto one of my usual trips.

But the excitement doesn't stop with the men's race. In a historic first, the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift is also coming to the UK for its own Grand Départ later that month. While I'll be looking west for the men, the women’s peloton is bringing the drama right to my doorstep. Stage Two on Saturday, 31 July, is set to finish in Sheffield after a grueling climb over the Snake Pass. It feels like a beautiful full-circle moment to have the world's best female riders finishing in the same city where I watched Nibali take the yellow jersey back in 2014.

My excitement is rooted in my original post from that incredible weekend in 2014. I can still feel the ache in my legs from that 6:00 am start, cycling out of the city to find the perfect spot on the Côte de Midhopestones. I remember sitting on the summit with my sandwiches, soaking up the atmosphere as the helicopters crested the hill and the peloton flew up a climb that I’d been 'blowing out of my arse' on just hours earlier. Seeing myself on TV highlights later as Marcel Kittel passed my spot cemented it as a true life event. I would give anything to experience that kind of magic again.

From 2014

Of course, the desire to be there in person is even stronger now that the landscape of television coverage is shifting. The issue of free-to-air access remains a frustrating hurdle for fans, a topic I covered in a post last year when the end of an era was first announced. If we can't rely on the traditional TV experience, then making it to the roadside becomes more than just a dream—it’s the best way left to witness the spectacle.

If you appreciate the atmospheric grit of northern life—and the resilience it takes to tackle both steep climbs and daily hurdles—you'll find those same Norse echoes in my webcomic, Northman. While I’m busy planning my route to the Welsh roadside and dreaming of the peloton, my characters are navigating much more treacherous terrain through the rugged landscapes of Jorvikshire.

Read the latest chapter here: northman.kirt.me.uk

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For regular updates, behind-the-scenes content, and further reflections on my creative path (and perhaps a photo of me back on the bike!), connect with me on social media.

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ZERO HANGOVERS, TOLERANCE, AND SPACE

ero-percent beers have been a total game-changer recently. Being able to head to the pub or share a drink with friends without the looming dread of a hangover or the logistics of driving is brilliant. I first blogged about this back in 2018 and followed up a year later, but the landscape has shifted so much since then.

HOW TO GET A HEAD OF THE STORM

hite landscapes have dominated the national news this week, with friends in New Quay and reporters in Whitby sharing scenes of a winter kingdom; and yet, South Yorkshire has stayed resolutely clear. It feels as though the rest of the country has been blanketed in a crisp layer of frost and flake, while our little corner remains stubbornly grey. Perhaps the Pennines have acted as a giant stone shield, deflecting the drifts elsewhere and leaving us in a snowy 'shadow'.

N PLUS 1

 know, I know—everyone is likely tired of hearing about my cycling collision. But the truth is, if it weren’t for that moment back in November, I wouldn't be sitting here with a new bike. My old one is only three years old and perfectly repairable, so why the upgrade?

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2026

he year, with all its sound and fury, has settled into memory, and now we face a new one. What will 2026 bring? It feels like only yesterday we were raising a glass to the new millennium, brimming with dreams we can barely recall now.

But let's anchor ourselves back to the present: Yule is drawing to a close. Before the inevitable return to routine, I want to take a moment to share the quiet observations, the small joys, and the reflections that made up my week before looking at the year ahead.

THE MIDPOINT OF MY YULE

hile many feel the festive spirit starts to fade as soon as the Boxing Day leftovers are cleared, those who celebrate Yule know the magic is only just beginning. Far from being a fleeting moment, Yule is a season that carries us through the heart of winter, with celebrations continuing well into the New Year. As we reach the midpoint of this ancient festival, I wanted to pause and share a recap of my journey through Yule so far.

THE CAPTAIN'S ANNUAL YULETIDE MESSAGE AND AWARDS

very year, at the same time as the monarch delivers their message to the Commonwealth, I post my message to the world. This year is no different... except it is. I always write about the highs and lows of the year, but this time, I’ve decided to frame my annual review as an awards ceremony.

THE RIDE OF ODIN: MY MIDWINTER PATH

t this silent, sacred point, the deepest dark has arrived. It is the halfway point through the darkness, a sacred pause that reminds us new life is promised. Soon, the cold will yield to warmth as Cernunnos arrives to awaken the world with vibrant colour and life.

BACK PAIN, BIKE DREAMS, AND A SECRET SANTA SIGH

t’s a slow and deliberate process, but I am truly trying my best to settle back into a normal life and, to some degree, I’m succeeding. The persistent back pain, however, still accompanies me most of the time, which is incredibly annoying. I cannot wait for the day I can ditch the tiresome bus commute and get back in the saddle; my bike is calling to me.

DREAD, RECOVERY, AND THE TURNING WHEEL

he season has now drawn us deep into its quiet heart, the Wheel of the Year quickly turns towards the Winter Solstice, the sacred longest night. This is a profound moment for introspection, where the darkness settles to its deepest point, calling us to slow down and honour the stillness. Yet, even as our world pauses in winter's grip, I find myself scrambling to get the mundane business—the shopping, the planning, the preparation—in place, all while navigating the deeper work of healing and daily life.