Matt Baird

1 week ago | 220triathlon.com | Matt Baird

Credit: Rob Slade 220 Triathlon verdictScore: 85%ProsFantastic value for moneyFit worked well for this testerConsNo MIPS or certification from the Virginia Tech instituteLimited ventilation for hilly or hot daysDecathlon’s in-house brand Van Rysel deserve plenty of credit for bringing a serious sub-£100 aero road helmet to the table with the Road Bike Helmet FCR.

2 weeks ago | 220triathlon.com | Matt Baird

220 Triathlon verdictThere’s plenty of top tech on display for swimmers wanting to go faster, but be aware of the delicate material. Score: 78%ProsBalanced buoyancy profile is welcomeQuick to removeConsDelicate neopreneSome water ingressLifted straight out of the box and the Huub Alchemy instantly joins the other best triathlon wetsuits in feeling like a lean, supple and lightweight wetsuit.

3 weeks ago | countryfile.com | Matt Baird

Completing any open-water swimming event is a huge and ultimately rewarding challenge, with often cold waters, currents, waves and more often encountered on the way to finishing pontoon success and that celebratory warming cup of tea. Not all swim events are created equal, however, with many upping the ante for vastly experienced open-water swimmers to test their endurance capabilities in deep, bracing and unpredictable waters.

1 month ago | countryfile.com | Matt Baird

The beauty of the Forest of Bowland in Lancashire and Yorkshire and its inspiring conservation efforts was captured in the latest edition of the BBC’s Countryfile, which aired on 27 April and is available now on BBC iPlayer. And yet, depressingly, it was Datshiane Navanayagam’s segment on fly-tipping that set social media alight, drew the attention of tabloids and the local press, and resulted in a full mailbag here at BBC Countryfile Magazine.

1 month ago | countryfile.com | Matt Baird

Immortalised in Raynor Winn’s The Salt Path, the South West Coast Path is one of the UK’s longest, most famous and popular long-distance walking trails. Some of the UK’s most beautiful beaches, prettiest coastal villages, historical landmarks and prehistorical hot spots are all here. But it’s often the quieter, less travelled sections – the hidden coves, weathered fishing villages, atmospheric inns and exposed headlands – that prove the most rewarding and enchanting.