Monthly Archives: May 2009

30
May
2009

Endless summer

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Posted in Uncategorized
Dipping into the archives: a few posts I like from this time last year: - The state of the nation - Who am I? What do I want? - Where have all the leaders gone? - Get off your butt DON’T MISS A THING – FREE MONTHLY UPDATE BY EMAIL: Have you read Alastair’s books? [...]

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29
May
2009

Photo Friday – Endure

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Posted in Expeditions, Photo Friday, Photography
The first in a new series on this blog of someone else’s inspiring travel, adventure or expedition photo each Friday. (I refuse to call it ‘Foto Friday’, or even ‘Photo Phriday’). Hopefully it will get you in the mood for making the most of your weekend. If you have a Flickr photo that you would [...]

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28
May
2009

Phil reaches his Million

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Posted in Charity
Fantastic news: Phil’s made it to a million quid! Here’s a video about his new project: DON’T MISS A THING – FREE MONTHLY UPDATE BY EMAIL: Have you read Alastair’s books? Also available for Kindle, iPad and children.
28
May
2009

The best part of my day

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Posted in Cycling
I enjoyed this entry on the Howies blog which enthuses over how perfect an English summer can be: even though i love working at howies, the best part of my day is usually the ride home. especially on days like today when the sun is out, but the air is cool enough so you don’t [...]

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26
May
2009

Top 20 Great British adventurers

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Posted in Expeditions, Lists
There was an interesting article in the Telegraph recently of their “top 20 great British adventurers“. List postings are, of course, lazy journalism for days when inspiration has not struck. Having said that I use them myself pretty often (here, here and here for starters)! They serve to titillate or irritate, and to prompt debate [...]

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26
May
2009

Why go on expeditions? (2)

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Posted in Best Bits, Expeditions, Motivation
Here are the answers some others have given to the question “why?” - “Because it’s there” – George Mallory - “To impress girls at parties” – Robert Swann - “To pay the bills” – Ranulph Fiennes - “….realising a dream ….best experience of life ….pushed harder than ever ….more despair than ever ….no-one else will [...]

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26
May
2009

Mark Beaumont’s new expedition

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Posted in Cycling, Expeditions
This week Mark Beaumont begins his next trip. I met Mark a couple of years ago when he came to a lecture I gave up in Edinburgh. He was researching the route for his own round the world ride. I enjoyed chatting with him and was happy to help him with his plans. He duly [...]

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24
May
2009

Discovery is always spine-tingling and hair-raising, and tumescently inspirational

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Posted in Expeditions, Our World, Travel
AA Gill wrote a long piece today about the RGS and its recent debate on whether to resume sending out its own expeditions. That debate may or may not interest you. But what caught my eye were these few paragraphs which resonated with me and are of interest whether or not you care about the [...]

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24
May
2009

Running to test the soul

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Posted in Motivation, Running, Training
DON’T MISS A THING – FREE MONTHLY UPDATE BY EMAIL: Have you read Alastair’s books? Also available for Kindle, iPad and children.
24
May
2009

Book give away: Ten Lessons from the Road – chapter 1

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Posted in 10 Lessons, Best Bits
My third book, Ten Lessons from the Road, came out earlier this year. I’m really pleased with it, and I would love people to read it. But I’m realistic about how few people will actually read the book. So I decided to give it away -for free- here on my blog. Hopefully it will reach [...]

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22
May
2009

Life is a journey full of infinite potential experiences

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Posted in Best Bits, Expeditions, Motivation, Our World
I have just been for a coffee with James Hooper who climbed Everest aged 19. James was the expedition partner and best friend of Rob Gauntlett who died whilst climbing in the Alps in January. He was 21. Until today I had only met them both at the same time, a real double act as [...]

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21
May
2009

Ran Fiennes summits Everest!

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Posted in Expeditions
Sir Ranulph Fiennes, aged 65, summited Everest today. He’s the first British pensioner to make it to the top, and a continued inspiration for me. What a legend! There’s a good article in today’s Independent about his amazing achievement. Chapeau! DON’T MISS A THING – FREE MONTHLY UPDATE BY EMAIL: Have you read Alastair’s books? [...]

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19
May
2009

The Unfolding Road

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Posted in Best Bits, Our World, Poetry, Ramblings, Travel
I was asked to read a poem at a friend’s wedding last week. The poem (Ben Okri’s ‘To An English Friend In Africa’) was one of my favourites, in fact it is the one that I have carried with me on all my journeys for a decade or so. Here’s a few snippets. Be grateful [...]

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16
May
2009

9 reasons to go on an expedition or journey

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Posted in Best Bits, Expeditions, Lists, Motivation
9 possible answers to the question I am always asked at the end of my talks: “why?” It’s a question I often touch on on this site (see here, here and here for starters!) Can you give me a tenth reason to add to my armoury?! 1. Why not? 2. It’s fun, or at least [...]

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15
May
2009

Guest blog from Mark Beaumont

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Posted in Cycling, Expeditions, Guest Blog, Travel
These are busy times for Mark Beaumont, cycle touring’s superstar. He is planning a new adventure: his mum, who helps with the planning of Mark’s projects, phoned me to chat about the wisdom of Mark riding through Colombia. I asked Mark if he would be willing to write a guest blog, about whatever subject took [...]

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15
May
2009

The solar cycle diaries

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Posted in Cycling
This morning I waved Jamie, Iain and Susie off on the beginning of their round the world bike ride. Their project will “highlight ways we can work together to combat climate change. In particular, they will demonstrate the potential for solar energy to provide a sustainable solution to global energy needs.” My friend Tom (aka [...]

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12
May
2009

Phil Packer walking the London Marathon

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Posted in Charity, Marathons, Motivation
Danfung, the photographer who accompanied Phil and I on our Channel row has now made this little video about Phil’s heroic last place (!) in the London Marathon. He is creeping ever closer to his amazing £1million target. You can read Phil’s latest news here. Phil’s now training with Andy Kirkpatrick for his next challenge… [...]

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12
May
2009

An adventure video to stir the wanderlust

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Posted in Expeditions, Video
A pretty neat adventure video to stir the wanderlust. I rode with Tim and Colin in the Yukon. DON’T MISS A THING – FREE MONTHLY UPDATE BY EMAIL: Have you read Alastair’s books? Also available for Kindle, iPad and children.
10
May
2009

Audio slideshow introduction to India

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Posted in Expeditions, India, slideshows, Travel, Video
A Soundslides summary of my journey across India
03
May
2009

Preview of my new book, Ten Lessons from the Road

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Posted in 10 Lessons, Motivation, RoundTheWorldByBike, Writing
After a lot of work by Jim, Eye Books and myself, Ten Lessons from the Road is finally finished and available. I am really pleased with it. It looks great (see the video clip above) -hardback, full colour- and it feels like something fresh and new. Fingers crossed the reviewers will agree! The idea was [...]

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