items… new ones…

as working life sucks at the moment (tendency to be so at the fading end)… other sides have to brighten up – and what makes any gear freak more happy than looking at new shiny gear?! Getting new shiny gear – exactly!

The first item that popped up on the list was mentioned earlier but will be the last one arriving – a new waterproof jacket. It’s funny, what would be perfectly suitable as alpine summer jacket is so completely not the thing one wants to wear during Scottish summers… After long discussions deep into the nights I came to the conclusion that as much I would love a Rab Latok (not Alpine!), the time when this jacket would actually be affordable without taking ransom would not come soon… The need however is there.

So I went onto another excessive search and came across a super special offer of a Marmot Exum – and without any longer discussion I am now waiting in awe for this item to arrive. The defence for this buy:

• can deal with Scottish weather (rain, snow, hail, wind, storm, or all at the same time)
• supposingly even very robust
• very light despite all the above – 400g
• pockets reachable when in harness or with backpack – I have no clue, why there are still jackets on the market for this area, which have the pockets on the hips. These developing guys seem not to wear any backpacks or harness… oh, they should be glued in by storm & hail, with gloves on and then try and reach these pockets…
• and if I finally manage to get out again climbing (I am still beginner… and haven’t been practising for some time… hmpf) I can fit my helmet underneath
• well, and yes, for this price I would never get such or any similar jacket… so….

So, I am finally sorted for that.

The next two items arrived this morning.

1. The Tardis Bike bag, which needs still testing but looked pretty sturdy in terms of material. The two side pockets for the wheels have extra padding on the outside, which seemed to be good idea. There is only one extra pocket in there for pedals et al. Thought, there would be more but that’s fine with me – will use little bags for other stuff. Not sure yet, if I will manage to squeeze my trailer in there as well. Need to check that. But overall, just by looking at it, it looked like the item that is doing what it is promising on the can.
2. Ticket to the Moon hammock – and already tested! After getting cabin fever in my room and escaping permanently into internet land, I had to come up with a solution. And somehow it bit me two nights ago that I had seen this hammock at some point, which is lightweight, easy to transport and reasonably robust. So, had a look, and thought, I try that. 500g, with attachment ropes, made out of parachute fabric, it arrived this morning (+ a bag of skittles… I like Backpackinglight – they know how to make friends )) – And after a very frustrating morning, I simply escaped on my bike to the next park with trees and tested the item. First I was very suspicious. The fabric is very thin and has a bit the appearance of silk… Now, who would throw themselves on a silk like fabric, not expecting to hear a loud nasty sound and find themselves quicker on the ground than expected? So, I carefully tested it – fine, then I sat properly down – still no nasty “ratsh”… lie in it – perfect… so, spend the afternoon slightly swinging side to side under a green roof and got my work done.

The next item is supposed to arrive tomorrow or on Saturday – a new bicycle saddle. Mine came with the bike, is for guys and is painful, if more than two hours are spent on it. And the idea of cycling through Denmark, even if flat – was a thought I did not want to ponder on any longer… so, again, after doing some research and asking a few people – the decision was made. Funnily enough – I guess, this might be one of those decisions, where a number of people might either scratch their head or strongly disagree with.

I ordered a Brooks B17 standard saddle (femaly version). And somehow I am looking forward to this little piece of equipment as little kids look excited forward to their first bicycle for Christmas… The company, I ordered it from run out of them and had to reorder them… I actually called them up to find out… when Christmas will be… no, but when I might get it… Vegetarians might shoot me now, as the good piece is made of leather. However, organically thinking – it keeps longer, if well cared for – it is better for nature, when falling apart and I need no gel cushiony things that might burst. So, overall, it might actually be better (just not for that individual cow, I am afraid). So, the first trip I will make with the new saddle is to cycle for 2 1/2h to a shop to get leather caring products to make it water proof and break it in. And then cycle all the way back again, rubbing the stuff in … It’s my main project for the weekend ). May it not rain until that piece has been treated properly!

So, after this rather excessive shopping spree, I guess there will be a long, very long break… On the other hand, I have been checking prices in other countries to find out, if it might be better to wait until I am in one of the other surrounding nations to get any of these items cheaper there… But no! Despite the bad price reputation, I had to find out that if I don’t buy the stuff here and now, I will pay far more, after leaving this country – Ouch!

So – time will tell, how silly I have been…

and now?

In the meantime I have finally come up with a plan, what the new moving route might be:
taking the train to the German/Danish border – get on the bike & cycle all the way till Frederikshavn (as they closed down the ferry between Hirthals & Oslo, as well – seems to be really a crap year for ferries), hop onto the Stena line ferry and move to Norway ).

This and the moving first by car brought up a clear problem – what to do with the bicycle – how to transport it? As many trains suffer “bike-allergy” and people working at check-ins in airports distrust their customers as basic instinct – I need some camouflage – pretending, my bike is not a bike… just luggage.
Hence, as a partial Doctor Who fan (full ones can actually recite Doctor Who, I can’t), I ordered the Tardis today! Yes, Tardis ). This fantastic piece of bike bag equipment should arrive in a week or so from New Zealand. Very excited because I might even be able to place the trailer in there, which not only would provide some extra stability but also “disguises” it as “luggage”. More about this when it has arrived and I have tested it. It’s first function will be keeping the bike out of trouble when moving by car & ferry to the continent … (Still wearing a big grin on my face due to excitement – travelling!!! soon!!!)

Tried today my luck on ebay but yeap, being logged in might help, when bidding on an item… so, I missed the big peep. Maybe better luck next time…

feels a bit like:

more cat pictures

And now?

So, the moving by bicycle has been postponed and will have a highly modified route. End point so far is still Norway – only the starting point will be the European continent – after Superfast has decided to close their route to the continent as well and I therefore hop on one of the last available ferries to make my life easier.

But besides trying to finish here off, handing in, moving place, and trying to find a job – I came across some new things, I thought might be worth looking into.

In terms of tours:

• Tatra: the natural border between Slovakia and Poland and the highest mountain range of the
• Carpathians: a crescent going across five countries
• Rumanian mountains

and the great thing is – it could be done in combination with cycling, depending on the season.

The pictures are amazing – the landscape and villages.

In terms of equipment – did I mention I love my Ortlieb panniers – have been using them consistently and enjoy every minute – particularly the wet ones. Also, I need to gear up for myself – just getting too wet ;o).

And I need a new jacket – my old Berghaus is starting to wear off. Thus, I have started to have a look into what would be a good idea but help… that’s going to be costly, if I get what I want… better wait with this:

• Mountain Equipment Kongur Jacket
• Rab Latok Alpine Jacket
• Rab Latok Jacket (being my favourite)

Well, let’s see and wait – maybe there is a special offer coming up.