Moderators: Bearbonesnorm, Taylor, Chew
The RTTS probably sticks in my mind this year. It felt kind of surreal at the time with the contrast of riding through the night then the 30 degree temps the following day as we climbed back over the mountains ... good times.Favourite route, not necessarily one you have done but perhaps one you thought, hmmm, someday
Not really bought much this year and just really using what I already have.Favourite piece of kit, something you bought this year and took a fancy to
I generally find the glossy write-ups and bigish budget films of trips to far flung places something of a turn off as it often feels that the trip was done for the following publicity rather than simply for itself. Bivvy a month thread is just the opposite, so I'll go for that.Favourite piece of media, be it a film, photo or write up
Don't do heroes, don't really look up to anyone and I'm not easily inspired by those people who are proclaimed to be inspirational. The emerging 'bikepacking superstars' are largely a business or advertising medium. I'm going to go with all those people who set off on a crap January night after work with no fanfare ... the folk riding for love and freedom, not likes and shares.Favourite personality - be nice and try not embarrass anyone
I know (!) but this little device has provided my maps whilst out, some fantastic memory pictures that I look back on and more recently, a device to make short films. 
. . My favourite? "A blank canvas". If I can't have that I'll take "any 1:25 OS map" please - works of art, source of myriad possibilities, hundreds of square miles laid out before you. "Wonder what that is over there".....: not interested in the pomposity of titles/letters-after-names/"respect"/authority/etc. I'll respect skill, justice, courage and compassion if anything. Other than that, every BB rider mad enough to go with me, and the stories they have to tell.
Completely agree. She went out to ride around the world to see if she could ride around the world. None of this cynical monetisation of it, mentioning it in every Instagram post forevermore or anything like that. Just a really sound person.ScotRoutes wrote: Personality: easy. Jenny Graham. Not just because "I knew her before she was famous" but for coming across as an ordinary person doing extraordinary things. And she's still as mad as a box of frogs.
I can't disagree in general, but as a counter point - how about you're living in a dead-end town where few people seem to GAS about life. It's grim, school's pointless as you see so few opportunities and at 13 you think smoking weed with your mates is the only way to have fun. Maybe you have a bike, maybe you're good at wheelies. Before the weed turns to glue or gas and you stop riding a bike, you're exposed to the idea that you can take your bike further than the city and camp out. Someone makes it look possible and fun. Maybe it just seems like a better way of getting out for a cheeky smoke, maybe not, but either way you've been exposed to another side of life. There's a chance that youth workers in all areas can make a difference by inspiring those who are close to having nothing to motivate or inspire them.[tangent] Personally, I think the problem with 'personality' is that people begin to believe the hype. Admiring someones skill or prowess is one thing but are they really the inspirational character they're often portrayed to be ? Nah are they f*ck.
The teenage WWII fighter pilots were an inspiration. The bloke losing his sight while trying to diffuse a bomb in order to save others and the kids learning to walk again after contracting polio, they're inspirational ... someone riding a bike is simply someone riding a bike and in most cases it could be argued that they're actually just on holiday while doing it. Hardly inspirational is it? Perhaps those requiring inspiration should be setting their sights somewhat higher? [tangent over, sorry]
Although it was only the idiot drivers on that A-road that had me about to bail, the rest was just hard in the best way. Great company on the ride also helped make it. )Yes.. he makes what I think bike trip films should be - simple and positive stuff. Worth a browse - https://vimeo.com/barrygodinMedia: I don't watch much. Anything by Barry Godin usually scores well.
I do see what you're saying there James and generally the Sydicate are a very good example - possibly the prime example. However, they might be the exception that proves the rule as I can't think of any other individual, group or company that actively promotes bikepacking at a younger audience in the hope of keeping them from worshipping Satan or sniffing Bisto ... it's mostly for adulation or profit.I can't disagree in general, but as a counter point - how about you're living in a dead-end town where few people seem to GAS about life. It's grim, school's pointless as you see so few opportunities and at 13 you think smoking weed with your mates is the only way to have fun. Maybe you have a bike, maybe you're good at wheelies. Before the weed turns to glue or gas and you stop riding a bike, you're exposed to the idea that you can take your bike further than the city and camp out. Someone makes it look possible and fun. Maybe it just seems like a better way of getting out for a cheeky smoke, maybe not, but either way you've been exposed to another side of life. There's a chance that youth workers in all areas can make a difference by inspiring those who are close to having nothing to motivate or inspire them.
