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Encouraging Quotes 4
February 3, 2014
Napolean Bonapart The only one who is wiser than anyone is everyone Mahatma Gandhi Strength does not come from physical capacity, it comes from imdomitable will Lyndon Baines Johnson If we are to live together in peace we must come to know each other better Augustus Caesar Hasten Slowly John Fitzgeral Kennedy If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherver it takes him
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Discover How the Oakley Radar Cycling Sunglasses Stood Up To A 3 Year Adventure Tour
January 29, 2014
A good pair of sunglasses are essential if you are cycling to protect your eyes from dirt, dust and the sun. This is my review of the Oakley Radar cycling-specific sunglasses. Features / Benefits Radar® features an interchangeable lens Hydrophobic™, anti-static lens coating repels water, skin oils and debris (lens coating that prevents water from leaving streaks and sheens - Skin oils, fingerprints and lotions are easily wiped ) The frame architecture creates a cooling flow of air Impact Protection The materials and geometries of Oakley eyewear provide unsurpassed protection against impact.
Tags: OakleySunglasses
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Prepare, Pack, Pedal: A Practical Guide to Bicycle Touring
January 9, 2014
A year ago, I realised I had written so much to help people plan their bicycle tours on my blog but it was all on blog posts I thought it could be made more accessible. I decided to rewrite and extend the posts into a guidebook. The book is organised into sections. There is advice on how to prepare your trip when you don’t have a lot of free-time to do so and might need some motivation.
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Craghoppers Classic Kiwi Trousers - Live in Trousers for Your Bicycle Travels
December 10, 2013
These hiking trousers from Craghoppers are lightweight, quick-drying, and comfortable. They consist of sun-protective fabric, stain proof and water repellent fabric. Features 8 pockets including OS map-sized cargo pocket and zipped security pockets Reinforced knee and seat Part elasticated waist for comfort fit Mobile phone holder SmartDry nano water-repellent finish Belt included Heel tape SolarDry 40+ UPF fabric Polyester Cotton These trousers are ideal for taking on a bike tour as you can wear them on and off the bike.
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Between Worlds: The Promise of The Road - Cycling to India Book Released
November 26, 2013
My new book which covers my cycle journey onward from Georgia, through Iran, Pakistan, India, Nepal, and a separate trip to Mongolia, as well as a jaunt back to London overland with a fresh perspective to pick up visas, is finished. Working with another great editor we’ve been through the text four times; its eighteen longer chapters compared to the shorter chapters in ‘Weave of the Ride’ and the content is a progression from the travel narrative and the ‘throwing yourself into a big adventure’ themes of the first book.
Tags: Andrew welchReleaseBetween worldsCycle touringBookCycling placesWriting
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Middleburn 32T Hardcoat Chainring Long Term Review
November 20, 2013
Upon kitting out my long distance touring bike I knew from past experience that I tended to wear out middle chainrings faster. A worn chainring had proved to be problematic even causing the chain to slip once it had completely worn out. I considered ways I could mitigate this. I wanted something that would be light but also tough. A steel chainring would potentially add weight but be more durable whereas an aluminium chainring would perhaps be lighter but wear out more quickly.
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Are 1000 Mile Marfil Road Cycling Socks a Good Choice for Adventure Cycling?
November 20, 2013
This sock was sponsored by a company for Ride Earth. It contains a yarn called Marfil which apparently is very good at wicking away moisture so your feet stay dry. They are also very thin so good if it is hot and there is a chance that your feet will overheat. However, conversely they are also useless by themselves for cold weather. According to the company, “The sock is environmentally friendly to produce and is easily recyclable.
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Are Shimano MT91 Boots A Good Choice for Adventure Riding?
November 15, 2013
I managed to get a pair of these beauties sponsored from Chain Reaction Cycles. They are a hiking-style boot with a solid sole for riding efficiency. They are useful for long distance riding where comfort, water resistance and durability are paramount. Protection: Rubber reinforcements on toe and heel for protection and durability/ Volume+ last for a more accommodating toe box Upper: Natural Nubuck leather paired with waterproof, breathable Gore-Tex Performance Comfort Footwear liner
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Get Your Layering Right - Helly Hansen Base Layer Review
November 14, 2013
A base layer is a really important item of clothing as it sits next to your skin. Having a long sleeve base layer is good in the winter, and can be doubled up with a t-shirt underneath and a micro fleece over the top makes a good winter riding combination. The garment is lightweight. I had a navy blue and a black one with the stripy arm-band which is good for visibility and looks great.
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Vaude Hogan Ultralight Argon Tent Long Term Review
November 14, 2013
Some people don’t like tents and prefer to sleep under a shelter or just in a protective breathable ‘bivvy’ bag. However, there are times when a tent has obvious advantages like if it is really cold, wet or there are a lot of insects. A tent seems like such a simple concept; a sheet over some poles that keeps the weather out, but there is plenty of variation out there. With simplicity comes subtle clever design principles such as advanced material choice.
Tags: CampingKitCycle touring kit2 man tentTentUltralightHogan ULVaudeGreenGearsleeping
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A Three Year Test of the Leatherman Blast Multi-tool for Adventure Cycling
November 14, 2013
A really useful item for travelling overland is a good multi-tool. Gerber and Leatherman are the main brands. The blast is a lightweight, solid-feeling tool which comes (unsurprisingly) in a leather case. Technical specification It has the following tools: Bottle Opener Hard-wire Cutters Large Screwdriver Needlenose Pliers Phillips Screwdriver Regular Pliers Saw Small Bit Driver Small Screwdriver Wire Cutters Wood/Metal File Wire Stripper Spring-action Scissors 420HC Blade Materials High-carbon (HC) form of 420 stainless steel optimized by heat treatment.
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What is a Buff and Why is it The Most Useful Piece of Travel Kit You Will Take?
November 14, 2013
Before I had any experience of travel I had no idea what a Buff was and when we were sponsored by Buff they sent us about 12 of them featuring different varieties for warmth, visibility, wackiness of design. However, a Buff is now the first thing I throw in my bag if I am travelling anywhere. I even wear one in bed. What Buff say More than 20 years ago, BUFF® invented the tubular headwear category with our Original BUFF® product.