Monster Bike and Hike Training

Something I forgot to mention. I signed up...no.....my colleagues signed me up for an event called the Monster Bike and Hike. At the time I didn't take much notice about what it was or what it consisted, but I'm certainly taking notice now.

The Monster Bike and Hike is a 30 mile cycle followed by a 43 mile hike along the Scottish Great Glen Way.....all in 24 hours. The bike and hike is a fundraising event for Maggie's Cancer Care centers.

Naturally when it finally sank in what the Bike and Hike entailed I decided some training was in order. As a kid I rode a bike all the time. Over the last few years the cogs have got rusty...and I'm not just talking about the bike. So I decided now is as good a time as any to get my backside used to the saddle once more.

Thankfully 12 of my colleagues are also taking part, and I'm fairly certain I won't be last to finish :)

Our first training session was a 12 mile hike over the Pentlands which was achieved pretty easily. That however, was nothing compared to the training session on Sunday. The route for the Monster Bike and Hike is relatively flat (alledgedly) so we thought this time we'd go for distance and speed.

Here's the route we took;


View Larger Map

The power of technology told us we were averaging 13 minutes per mile. We completed the first half of the hike in a little over 3 and a half hours. The pace was quick. The return journey was equally as quick...although a couple of pubs got in the way at the end. Well deserved I say.

And today my feet, calves and thighs are all fine. The back of my knees are not. It feels as though someone is boring a hole in the back of my knees. If that was result after 22 miles I dred to think what the result will be after 43 miles. Thankfully I've attended Monster Bike and Hike two training sessions. I'm worried for those who haven't started training yet.

Essentials for the Bike and Hike

This is more of a list for me than anything else, but if you're planning on doing the Monster Bike and Hike, here are my suggested necessities;

• 2 pairs of walking boots / shoes
• Several pairs of breathable socks
• Talcum powder
• Blister packs
• Energy bars
• Haribo
• Lots of water (suggest a Camelbak)
• Vaseline
• Breathable waterproofs
• A rucksack that allows your back to breathe (Berghaus do a good Freeflow range)

If you think of anything else, let me know! This years Monster Bike and Hike takes place on the 3rd/4th May.

IKEA Train

In an interesting PR/advertising stunt, retail giant IKEA has fitted a train in Kobe with sofas and curtains. The 'IKEA train' looks comfy, but if this was done in the UK our Health and Safety boffins would have a field day :)

The IKEA train photos below are from Gizmodo;




Unfortunately the IKEA train makeover is only temporary to mark the opening of a new store in Kobe

A Door and a Mirror

I've been meaning to write this post for months and FINALLY got round to it....all work and no play makes Simon a dull boy.

Over the last 12 months I've been to a number of places around the globe, including France, Germany, Spain, Greece, USA and Canada. I usually carry a camera around with me, but there's always one or two situations where I didn't carry it with me, and wish I had.

Cue smoke and Enter stage left: the mobile phone camera.

My ethos? If in doubt, take the picture anyway.

So here we go. The first picture below was taken in Munich. You'd think by the content that this mirror was situated in a brothel. Wrong (and besides, I would never frequent such places). A strip club? Nope. Believe it or not this picture was taken outside a window looking into a shoe shop.....



The second photo was taken in Whistler, Canada earlier this year and had me laughing for longer than a Bushism normally would. You could almost see this sign appearing in a Wile E Coyote cartoon;


I was glancing through StumbleUpon last weekend, and came across a similar post from Blingit. The post was aptly titled Pictures - Taken at Just the Right Time. I'd head over there if you want to see some more amusing pics. Real or not, my favourite is number 9.....