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Kitesurfing Lessons and How to Look After Your Kitesurf Gear
October 23, 2016
Many former windsurf enthusiasts have now moved to kitesurfing which has grown immensely in popularity in recent years. I was attracted to kitesurfing by the minimalism of the gear compared with windsurfing and so I decided to take some lessons at the Kitesurf Centre at Camber Sands.
The course lasted a few cold windy days and I took the train down to Rye from London and cycled down to the coast to the hut on the beach.
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Updated: Ways to travel on the cheap
October 23, 2016
Travelling is often seen as something for the rich. However, over the years travel has got cheaper. The majority of my ‘real’ travel experiences have been the cheapest ones and involved the bare minimal amount of money, living as close to a travelling hobo as possible.
Saving up and generating cash
- Ask nicely for kit that you can test for a company - find the right person who deals with that sort of thing.
- Handle your media and communications - be known for something and use it as a foundation for generating support such as crowdsourcing funding.
- If possible, get yourself featured in high visibility media: news, magazines, documentary, films: use the media of the moment to promote yourself.
- Become a photographer - use it to document the places you go. Take photos of equipment in use and send to the brand. Sell photos to magazines and list on stock photography sites.
- If you are a good writer, write articles for relevant magazines.
- Sell artwork like postcards, and drawings. If you are a good enough musician, can you busk for money?
- Write a blog and sparingly offer paid promotion opportunities.
Take cheap transport
- Bus is probably the cheapest motorised transport followed by train
- In some countries taxis can be affordable
- If you can cycle, then it makes the most sense from a cost perspective
- Hitch hiking is another option
Use free hospitality
- Use Couchsurfing, Be welcome or similar free hospitality sites. Be aware that being a good guest is an art and if you aren’t paying for accommodation you shouldn’t treat it like a hotel
- Sleep in a tent
- Sleep on the deck of boats / on buses / trains. E.g. plan it so that you travel at night where possible
- Ask people for help - if you don’t ask you don’t get
- Be desperate and in need. ‘Stay Hungry’
- Be flexible. Paying for services can make you feel more assured but if you are a guest then you don’t know exactly how things will pan out
Buy, take and carry only what you really need
- Minimise your possession
- Wear long lasting clothes
- Use rechargeable batteries
- Don’t buy maps or guidebooks unless necessary. Guidebooks are heavy and you can usually find maps on the way.
Live off the land / reduce your living costs
- Borrow hand wash from public toilets - carry around in a drinks bottle and refill.
- Forage for food.
- Buy food before you go or before you come into a touristic / expensive area.
- Drink tap water instead of buying drinks.
- Don’t drink alcohol.
- Don’t use a mobile.
- Avoid all but the cheapest restaurants - eat where the locals eat.
- Be vegetarian.
Last updated 2022
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Which Jobs Combine Tech and an Adventurous Lifestyle?
October 23, 2016
As someone who has mostly made a living out of working in tech, but who loves the outdoors I have questioned the kind of existence that comes with “screen based work” - framing it as something that is at odds with an adventurous lifestyle. Here are some kinds of work that could combine the two.
Capturing media and stories from spectacular places.
The adventure content producer is someone who uses modern media capture technology - film, audio, written word etc to create stories which include company product placements. The media content may have value in its own right and can be sold as exciting adventurous stories to inspire armchair travellers and enthusiasts. Reaching consumers via stories instead of adverts is popular. Some companies employ a content team that goes out and specifically produces action-sports clips with their products - think Red Bull, any big outdoor manufacturer or consumer gadget with an outdoorsy audience. Shooting, directing, editing, and producing video content are all valuable skills.
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Every Ride Has a Story - Adventure Mountain Biking
October 23, 2016
Over the years I have seen a definite evolution of mountain biking. 15 years ago it was a niche activity and anything was acceptable but the marketing side was only just emerging and what was visible was the glamorous competitions and downhill world cups. The opportunity presented by owning and riding a mountain bike raises thoughts and possibilities of how to go further, take different routes or adjust equipment to increase the potential adventure. This has always lead to explorations down dead end paths, bike hikes up walking trails or across open ground often leading to a ‘hike with a bike’ rather than a ‘bike hike’ - bike as excess luggage rather than ‘can I get through this on my bike’. This inevitably leads to more juicy storytelling potential as the obstacles, routes and unknowns are greater than usual.
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How to Improve Mountain Biking Skills
October 23, 2016
Notes from when I did my mountain bike technical leader course
Climbing
Weight position
Position your weight to keep the front wheel on the ground for effective steering and sufficient traction through the rear wheel. The can require a shift forwards onto the front of the saddle. Pull back rather than up on the handlebars with the elbows bent and tucked in. This helps keep the front wheel on the ground and going straight.
Tags: Mountain bikeSkills
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5 Top Day Trip Backpacks Review
October 23, 2016
QUECHUA Forclaz 22 Air Day travel Backpack
Quechua are the budget option but usually well made and good value for money. Designed for day hiking in all weather (hot, rainy, etc.). Weight is distributed between the shoulder straps and belt. It features a ventilated back, belt, water bladder (not included) and mesh pockets and a rain cover. A decent budget option. moreOsprey Daylite Daypack
A daypack for a fast hike, trail running or city walking. Osprey are a more upmarket option and you pay for quality construction and customer service. more
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Interview with Goat from Ridingthespine.com about Fatbiking the Length of the Americas
October 23, 2016
I contacted Goat from the ridingthespine.com because I was planning to do a similar trip. Goat and two friends rode the Great Divide Mountain bike route from Alaska down to Mexico and then rode off road all the way down the mountains of South America. I haven’t seen another trip quite like it and I was attracted to it’s adventurous spirit, ambition and willingness to get off the roads.
Goat is known for his wonderfully poetic writing and his email response to my queries about his bike, route, and other thoughts was equally mystic. He is always happy to get inquiries about the Ride the Spine trip.