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List of adventure, expedition and bike packing bikes 2016
June 1, 2016
I recently came across an excellent resource on cyclingabout.com. It is amazing the level of research that has gone into the list. The number of companies offering bespoke touring bikes is mind boggling. This is why I’ve been through the list and picked out the ones that appeal to me. I’m on the search for a new adventure bike. I recently tested a Surly Long Haul Trucker. It is a great bike.
Tags: Adventure cyclingTrekking bikeExpedition bikeTouring bikeMountain bikingCyclingBike
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What defines a life well lived?
May 26, 2016
If you asked someone “Define a life well lived”, how would they respond? Possible responses may include: Having as much fun as possible Plenty of good memories Comfortable material situation Well travelled Well read Leaving a legacy for family, for all humanity Taking each in turn. Having as much fun as possible Fun is when you feel happy in a sustained way. Fun is about activity. Activity that produces feelings of happiness.
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How to Build a Decent Mountain Bike for £410.93
May 3, 2016
Update Summer 2017 Upgraded the bike with a Brand X Dropper post. Update October 2016 After riding weekly with local club Wakerley Wheelers, the bike worked great. Upgrades I’ve made have included: a rear mech with a clutch system and a chain device. The chain had a tendency to fall off so these are the modifications I’ve made to fix it. I like to build bikes. However, after finishing one bike, I always have a few parts left over.
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A Writing Manifesto to Keep the Words Flowing
May 3, 2016
Get up early in the morning to write. 6 am and earlier. I tried writing late at night and got into a counter-productive routine of falling asleep at 10.30 pm, waking up at 2 am and working for a couple of hours. That could be your ideal routine but I’ve found the morning to be best for me. Give yourself the chance to write the ‘rubbish first draft’.
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Transboundary Mountain Bike Trail in the Caucasus
April 25, 2016
I wrote this doc in 2014 and took it round to a bunch of NGOs in Tbilisi with the aim to getting some assistance to build it. Friend Tom Allen is currently travelling to the Caucasus to create a hiking trail so thought I would put it out there as part of the awareness raising about the benefit of these kinds of projects. Note that mountain bike trails are generally different from hiking trails.
Tags: TrailMountain biking
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The Paradoxical affect on Motivation of Hot Media
April 17, 2016
From Wikipedia: “a snake oil salesman is someone who knowingly sells fraudulent goods or who is themselves a fraud, quack, or charlatan.” There are a people who portray themselves on the internet garnering a following of people and eventually offer something for sale. With open access to the tools of the internet medium to communicate, if you are good at these ‘mediums’ then you get to put yourself in the public eye.
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The Pursuit Zone Podcast
April 11, 2016
I’ve just done a podcast with Paul Schmid who runs the Pursuit Zone Podcast. Given the opportunity to talk about my experiences and passions I gladly did! We ran out of time too quickly but the podcast covers: Getting into cycling Mountain bike guiding jobs Preparing for a cycle tour Cycle touring gear Experience of cycling Iran, Pakistan, India, Nepal Staying in Georgia (Caucasus) Setting up a bike tour offering in Georgia (Georiders) Making an adventure film Podcast available here
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Self Shot Travel Filming Manifesto
March 13, 2016
This is a manifesto for how to shoot a movie, inspired by my own experiences filming whilst travelling, advice from String Films and a project I did whilst studying design at Goldsmiths. Formulate complete sentences when speaking into the camera. Keep the audience in mind with what you say to the camera. The camera is not a confidant. Use your diary for that. If you are going to do a travelling shot, spend the time and make it worthwhile.
Tags: Film
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How to Make an Adventure Film, So Far
February 29, 2016
The Initial Set Up In 2006 I began preparing for a journey to cycle round the world. Cue loads of preparation and research. It was going to be a huge adventure. Video cameras were widely available and it seemed like a no brainer to take one along to record the adventure as it unfolded. In an attempt to get sponsorship and free kit, a ticket to an outdoors event was blagged and whilst there a chance meeting lead to a couple of young filmmakers who would attempt to make some kind of film from the output.
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Thinking about Alternatives to the Current Economic System
February 25, 2016
Any ambitious person wants to feel as though their life is progressing and any intelligence person who participates in society does it because it makes sense to work with other people to benefit from the synergy that it bring. Human beings are generally social animals and need to feel loved, appreciated, and have their efforts witnessed. Without other people, there is only only the internal abyss of the mind (all very well to explore but you wouldn’t want to stay there forever).
Tags: CapitalismSustainability
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Gear Review: Merrell Trail Glove 3 Zero Drop Barefoot Running Shoes
February 11, 2016
Having really liked the New Balance MT10 barefoot running shoes in the wide fit, I wanted to find a similar pair when they were discontinued. I was excited to come across the latest offering from Merrell - the Trail Glove 3. A nice shoe for conditioning and training. I bought a pair receiving a discount from Wiggle.co.uk and started getting the miles in. I bought them to take with me on a trip to Spain and used them for trail running in the dusty, dry, mountain conditions there.
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Encouraging Quotes 6
February 4, 2016
Frank Lloyd Wright Early in life I had to choose between honest arrogance and hypocritical humility. I chose the former and have seen no reason to change. Frank Lloyd Wright I believe in God, only I spell it Nature. Frank Lloyd Wright Art for art’s sake is a philosophy of the well-fed. Rene Char A poet must leave traces of his passage, not proof.