Most handlebars for mountain bikes are either flat:

or what is known as a riser bar where the bar rises at an angle from the centre point:

Backsweep is another attribute in handlebars which is the angle that the bars are bent backwards from the centre point. Most handlebars for road bikes are known as drop bars which are flat at the top then curve forwards and down then back.

There is a hugely popular app game from Nintendo out called Pokemon Go. It topped the app store download chart on both iPhone’s App Store and Google Play just days after its initial release in the US, Australia and New Zealand. Its just been released in the UK today.

From screenshots it looks like an AR (augmented reality) app. I’m just downloading it now in order to give it a trial run. Other reports say in the game players search locations in the real world to find virtual Pokemon creatures on their smartphone screens. It uses your GPS. You catch monsters and train them to fight each other.

I like sleeping outside. If you are going to be able to find trees to strap a hammock between or staying at a camp with these conditions, a hammock is a good option.

Hammock Benefits

• Avoid the cold floor
• Avoid bugs

Hammock drawbacks

• Strange sleeping position
• Massive range to choose from
• Best brands are expensive

My Interest

I’m interested in one with a built in net to avoid bugs and long and wide enough to fit a 6'2" tall person who weighs 200 lbs.

Originally posted on Slowquest in 2011.

David Byrne’s primary mode of city transport during his career as a musician and artist is a bicycle. In a conversational style, Byrne talks about his observations whilst riding his bike.

On a podcast of ’the Bike Show’ on Resonance FM, there was a feature on how when you cycle, your brain is in an alpha-wave state. Your conscious and unconscious minds are slightly better linked and thoughts are more easily able to bubble over from one to the other. I found I had a clarity of thought and more ideas would emerge whilst I was travelling by bicycle.

I recently visited Oakham Cycles to test ride the Surly Long Haul Trucker. I wanted to check it out because it is a go-to bike, good value, used and recommended by many for adventure cycle touring. Having always built and ridden my own bikes based on mountain bike frames and with the abundance of specific adventure touring bikes now available I wanted to compare the bike considered to be the benchmark to other bikes I’ve ridden.

You might be more likely to find this headlamp in a hardware store than an outdoor shop. However, this lamp ticks many of the boxes in the search for my ideal headlamp. Are you looking for a headlamp for night running, hiking or mountain biking that is good value, rugged and has an adjustable brightness and zoom? The Coast HL27 might be for you.

The Company

Coast started off producing knives for filleting salmon in Portland Oregon. They branched out producing knives for other vocations. In the eighties they moved into producing multitools and is one of the largest producers of multitools. More recently their product line has moved into flashlights and headlamps. They clearly have a long craft heritage and you can read more about their history on their site

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. It made me wish a little that I had gone for an off the peg bike instead of putting together my own, simply because the frame geometry is so planted and that little bit of extra weight makes it flow along.

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.

The Crosso Dry 60 is a set of bicycle panniers designed for adventure touring.

They have a sealed and welded closure to prevent against mud and water ingress. Rainstorms and being submerged (for example during a river crossing) will still have a hard time getting your stuff wet.

The roll top system is a commonly seen system in dry bags, proving more waterproof and durable that a zip.

Adventure films inspire and motivate. They show amazing landscapes, places and countries around the world. We get close to the character who has to overcome internal and external obstacles on their journey. Here are 10 of my favourites.

Touching the Void

Seven Years in Tibet

The Motorcycle Diaries

Into the Wild

The Bourne Identity

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

127 Hours

The Last Samurai

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

The Beach