One Man And His Bike ..Flying In The Face Of Consumerism
Jan 17, 2015 13:57:31 GMT
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Nelly, notsarkyadam, and 2 more like this
Post by hodgy on Jan 17, 2015 13:57:31 GMT
So ..I'm part way around a figure of eight loop in a remote part of Kielder Forest ..when coming around a corner on an uphill fire road section I see a figure in the distance pushing his bike ..first thought was " why is he pushing ..it's not that steep " ..quickly followed by " jeez ..but he is loaded for bear " when I noticed the 4 panniers on the bike and the biggest back pack I have seen !
Stopping for a chat as I got up to him it transpires that he is from Egremont in West Cumbria and is making his way from west to east coast ..solo
My eyes then turned to his bike .. No brand name on it ..fully rigid ..cantilever brakes a stem that is as long as the Titanic..in short ..a bike that you would probably have scrapped 15 years ago ..and here he is way out in the wilds making his own way across the country ..not following any route guide as such ..but just finding his own way and going wherever he chose !
No spring chicken either ..obviously retired ..with time on his hands ..but not a hobo as the bike apart ..he was suitably attired in bike specific clothing .
It also turned out that he had camped in the forest overnight in a one man tent !
I rode with him for about 10 mins until I had to turn off ..but left him with a feeling of total respect ..that's what you call being " out there" !!!!
Stopping for a chat as I got up to him it transpires that he is from Egremont in West Cumbria and is making his way from west to east coast ..solo
My eyes then turned to his bike .. No brand name on it ..fully rigid ..cantilever brakes a stem that is as long as the Titanic..in short ..a bike that you would probably have scrapped 15 years ago ..and here he is way out in the wilds making his own way across the country ..not following any route guide as such ..but just finding his own way and going wherever he chose !
No spring chicken either ..obviously retired ..with time on his hands ..but not a hobo as the bike apart ..he was suitably attired in bike specific clothing .
It also turned out that he had camped in the forest overnight in a one man tent !
I rode with him for about 10 mins until I had to turn off ..but left him with a feeling of total respect ..that's what you call being " out there" !!!!
