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Which is Better - Ebook vs Paper Book
February 5, 2017
An ebook is a useful format that is different from a paper book. An ebook can be updated comparatively quickly and easily. It has next to no distribution or production costs and is available to anyone with an internet connection. When I first researched and produced ebooks I did so because I was interested in creating an ebook version of a paper book to double up on its availability and because the technology was there.
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An Updated List of the Best Steel Bicycle Frames
February 5, 2017
Purely a list of steel bike frames - mtb and touring to be updated as and when. MTB Stanton Slackline Stanton on ebay Pipedream Pipedream on ebay On-One Inbred [on one](https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?&_nkw=on one) Kona Explosif Charge Duster Orange P7 S Voodoo Bizango 853 Reynolds Rock lobster Team Tig 853 Cove Handjob Surly Karate Monkey 27.5 Cotic Soul cotic on ebay Salsa Ala Carte (steel) Independent Fabrications Steel Deluxe Desalvo
Tags: TouringFrameSteelMountain bikeBicycle Framebike-components
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2016 in Review
February 5, 2017
This post is a bit late now as we are already into February 2017. To be honest, it wasn’t that easy to summarise the year as there were no great trips or plans. This is to a certain extent a deliberate strategy. Whilst in 2015 I knew I would go to Georgia in the summer, in 2016 I decided not too for various reasons - I am preparing a long format blog post about my experiences running bike tours in Georgia to come soon.
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The pros and cons of programming as a career
February 5, 2017
I’m self taught coder. It is the best way I have found to make money and it interests me. I like computers and I’ve always had a talent for doing things with them. Here I detail some of the pros and cons of making a living from coding, programming, web / app development and related sectors. Pros: Money Space to think Creative space over how you achieve things Programming is a useful skill to know as it can earn you money but it can also be helpful to be able to understand gadgets and machines that can be programmed Participate in an emerging technology Intellectual challenge Get to meet intelligent people Cons: Screentime Still a very poor wider understanding of what programmers do by rest of society (and the scope of the work behind the scenes).
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5 Electronic Music Documentaries
February 5, 2017
Music has the awesome ability to change a mood in a second. Technology has democratised access to music as well as, to some extent, the production of music via software. Netflix has seen a glut of music documentaries because learning about the history of artists and the technical aspects of music production is obviously proving in demand. Below are a few music documentaries to try. Netflix 2020 Hip Hop Evolution
Tags: MusicElectronic
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Adventure Mountain biking on the Island of Korcula, Croatia
February 5, 2017
When I was bike guiding in Croatia, there were a couple of guests who came out called Rob and Rachel. On one big day ride we went out and headed east across the island. At about this time through the season I was starting to explore further afield into the Island away from the normal routes and offered this as an alternative during the day rides as an ‘adventure ride’ in which I explained to people they should expect some exploring.
Tags: HackBike hikeAdventure rideCroatiaKorculaRidingMountain biking
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5 adventure / survival themed computer games
February 5, 2017
Since I went to Scouts as a child I always had an interest in survival skills. Perhaps its the doomsday outlook about the future in the media or the consumerist society where you buy everything you need rather than having the skills to do it yourself. Everyday life doesn’t offer much opportunity to actually use these skills. Even on my adventure travels I only used survival skills a handful of times.
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The Best Cycle Cafes in London
February 4, 2017
Look Mum No Hands Cycle Cafe 49 Old Street, EC1V 9HX Combining a cafe, a bicycle workshop, a bar, and exhibition space. Coffee comes from local roasters Square Mile, cakes from nearby bakeries, fresh food everyday - breakfast, lunch and dinner from 7:30am - 9pm. Wash it all down with craft beer from London breweries and beyond. CycleLab Juice Bar 18A Pitfield Street, N1 6EY Get your ride serviced and sip on a fresh juice or Square Mile coffee while you wait at this East London cycle shop.
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Loosing a Ski at the Top of a Mountain in Armenia
February 4, 2017
Having cycled to the Caucasus, I arrived in Armenia, spring 2008 and was staying with some Couchsurfers, Max and Irene. Max suggested we go skiing in the nearby mountains. I felt a little dubious because I didn’t want to get injured but I couldn’t resist. Max’s friend turned up in a Nissan 4x4 and we piled in. He drove fast up the highway, the car flying along in a jet stream of cold air.
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What is the Best Process for Photography - Workflow and Technology?
February 4, 2017
Since I started taking photos, I have amassed thousands. Especially since 2007, when I first got a decent camera and went travelling. Whilst travelling, I used SD cards and each time I got to an internet connection I would go through the photos I had taken since the last time I was at an internet connection, choose the ones I considered to be highlights and uploaded them onto Flickr. I believe I also backed up the images onto a hard disk and CDs.
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Mountain Biking Trail Discovery Ride in Tbilisi
February 4, 2017
Originally written 2009, updated 2017. Living in Tbilisi, Georgia 2009, I converted my touring bike into a mountain bike and spent an afternoon exploring. I rode rode out of Tbilisi towards Kojori and turned off the road down a dirt track into a gorge with a river flowing down a crease in a huge slab of granite. At some point there had been a road bridge over the river but that had long since been reduced to a crumbling sculpture of red brick invaded by a small plants, weeds and grass growing out of the mortar.
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Top 10 Surfing Documentaries
February 4, 2017
Surfing is an idyllic activity - sun, sand, waves, culture and there are many superb documentaries out there. Here is a selection for you. Step into liquid Discovering Mavericks Bra Boys A Fly in the Champagne Take me Back Leave a Message Lost Atlas Ride the Wild Code Red Mundaka
Tags: DocumentarySurfingFilm