Seamus Allardice

Seamus Allardice is a freelance writer and content creator. When he’s not cycling or working at mountain biking and trail running events, you’ll find him with a good craft beer in hand. He also loves dogs.

What are some of your most memorable achievements?

To be honest, it’s been a while since I focused much on sporting achievements. The things I didn’t do bug me more now. Though paddling in to a proper 8-foot set wave at Sea Farm, in winter 2022, was a very memorable experience and one I’d spent three sessions slowly working towards. I’m pretty nervous (read scared) of heights, so not doing the final three jumps at Suicide Gorge still bothers me. But then again I did force myself off Bloukrans Bridge for a bungee jump… so maybe that counts as something to be proud of?

What are the ambitions that you are working towards?

Simply to keep having adventures. I love doing at least one solo trip a year. I think I’ll be taking some of First Ascent’s prototype bike packing bags on a Klein Karoo trip this winter. And I’d also love to make the time to do a Breede River source to the sea solo paddle. For shorter stuff I try to squeeze in something cool at least once a month, be it a big day trip to surf up the Weskus, a big bike ride, or a hike. Life is busy though so I try to do as many mini adventures as possible, from going fishing on the farm where I stay to going for a morning surf followed by working from a coffee shop near the ocean. I’m very aware of how fortunate I am that my career takes me to cool places and that often my work is an adventure in and of itself.

What are some of your top tips?

My number one bit of advice for anyone is that you’re capable of more than you realise. Just go slow at first. If you didn’t grow up in the mountains or on the coast, the elements can be intimidating. But if you find a good crew to learn from and start off slowly, you’ll be amazed at how far you can push your comfort zones. Just make sure you have the right gear!

What is your favourite First Ascent product and why?

This is a difficult one actually because there are so many great products that I’ve got a lot of use out of. I love the Journey Cargo Bibshorts, for bikepacking and gravel biking. My Stamina Tent has been all over the show with me, from wild camping next to a pool where a leopard came down to drink, to numerous bikepacking trips strapped to my handlebars. But my ultimate First Ascent product is my Explore Down Sleeping Bag. It has never let me down. I’ve camped in freezing conditions in Namaqualand and in Willowmore, ahead of a Trans Baviaans, and when paired with the Thermolite Sleeping Bay Liner it’s unlikely that it’ll ever get cold enough in South Africa to need a warmer sleeping bag. 90% of the time I use the Explore Sleeping Bag I don’t even zip it up. It’s something I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys camping as well as people who often do MTB or trail running stage races.