Can I find my way back, just using my own sense of direction, No GPS, no maps, finding my way on unfamiliar roads, as I try to get from Barnstaple, back to Exeter St Davids train station, where I have parked my van.

There was a time when we managed without GPS devices, so can we still find our way with old school navigation. Just the wind, landmarks and the position of the sun.

Well in this video, I set out blind, but full of confidence, that my sense of direction will hold me in good stead and easily find my way back in no time at all. But, I didn’t take into account, the terrain that North Devon offered me, which was a succession of 20% climbs!

Created with Wondershare Filmora

My Strava for those wanting to see the routes we ride is
https://www.strava.com/athletes/2357668

The Official Climbs Website for all the climbs I am collecting -https://www.100climbs.co.uk/

My equipment for list for filming :
iPhone 13 Pro(4K enabled)
Bitplay iPhone camera case
Front camera is IPhone 4K
Shure MV88 microphone
Tascam DR10 Lavalier Microphone
GoPro Hero 9
Insta360 One R

My Instagram is:

Personal Instagram is CyclingDarren37

Follow me on Twitter @dazza3740

Follow me on Zwift Darren Phillips (YT)

If you want to join any of our rides, send me a message

If you have any questions, I will be in the YouTube comments replying

Contact us on darren.phillipsyt@gmail.com

Affiliate links
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https://www.insta360.com/sal/one_r?insrc=INRFV98

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23 Comments

  1. Sorry but I had a good laugh when you got back to the start 😂😂 Its harder than you think and yes its hard to remember how we managed before gps. Think seeing the sun is crucial to getting it right.

  2. Welcome back Daz!!
    I rode Frome to Abingdon, no computer aided direction just memorised the towns i should be hitting at various stages…. Needless to say managed to get lost and end up on the slip road to the motorway to Oxford! Made it in the end but an awful lot later than anticipated!!!

  3. Hello Darren, how did we do it before GPS? Well I happily used a paper map mate, remember those? I did the South Somerset Cycle Route in the mid 90s using a map with the route penciled on it. I only made two small errors cycling 105 miles instead of the correct 100.
    Have fun Darren! We look forward to your next adventure.
    Pete.

  4. I found your channel a few weeks ago and must say it’s mostly VERY entertaining. You’re a funny guy!

    I only just started using gps. Before that I’d bring a compass and map. That said it’s far easier to nav in territory you know. Outside of that there’s more challenge. The map/compass nav, I think, is more of an adventure since you really don’t have much idea of topography unless you bring that specific type of map ( which I don’t).

  5. Sir, you didn't fail! It was a day out riding your bike, using one of the more tradition navigation methods.
    You were never 'lost', more 'temporarily in an unfamiliar area'
    😊

  6. Love your sense of adventure Darren! I'm tempted to give this a try on our upcoming holiday riding some new unknown areas. If you never hear from me again I guess you know it didn't go so well!

  7. Hello good sir. Enjoyable video even without the audio😂. Having watched the other 260 videos, your gestures and expressions said enough haha. Nice work and nice new helmet….

  8. Loved this. Very rarely use a gps when riding, preferring to try and memorise the route beforehand from OS maps and GSV. Did lots of tile bagging around Sussex and Surrey this way. Would have to stop and check occasionally. Never attempted anything like your challenge in unfamiliar territory.

  9. Great video Darren, good to see you back and in North Devon as well. Tis a bit hilly round here that's why I always wear my walking shoes when I go cycling 😂. If it's any consolation I get lost finding my round Marsh Barton industrial estate in Exeter.

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