Consolations of the Forest

Just finished up reading Consolations of the Forest by Sylvain Tesson, the diary of a French travel writer who spent six months living in a log cabin in the Russian Taiga. Much of his time there revolved around working his way through the extensive library he took with, and drinking vodka - either alone or with surly Russian woodsmen. Tesson helpfully notes his equipment list near the start of the book, reproduced here for reference:

"REQUISITE SUPPLIES FOR SIX MONTHS IN THE BOREAL FOREST

Axe and cleaver
Tarp
Burlap bag
Pickaxe
Drip net
Ice skates
Snow shoes
Kayak and paddle
Fishing poles, lines, weights
Fly-fishing flies and spoons
Kitchen utensils
Teapot
Ice drill
Rope
Dagger and Swiss knife
Whetstone
Kerosene lamp
Kerosene
Candles
GPS, compass, map
Solar panels, cables, rechargeable batteries
Matches and lighters
Mountain backpacks
Duffel bags
Felt carpet
Sleeping bags
Mountaineering equipment
Mosquito net face mask
Gloves
Felt boots
Ice axe
Crampons
Pharmaceuticals (10 boxes acetaminophen for vodka hangovers)
Saw
Hammer, nails, screws, file
French flag for Bastille Day
Hand-launched anti-bear flares
Flare gun
Rain cape
Outdoor grill
Folding saw
Tent
Ground cloth
Headlamp
-40º F sleeping bag
Royal Canadian Mounted Police jacket
Plastic luge
Boots with gaiters
Liquor glasses and vodka
90% alcohol to make up for any shortage of the above article
Personal library
Cigars, cigarillos, incense paper and Tupperware container 'humidor'
Icons (Saint Seraphim of Sarov, Saint Nicholas, the imperial family of the last Romanovs, Tsar Nicholas II, black Virgin)
Wooden trunks
Binoculars
Electronic appliances
Pens and notebooks
Provisions (six-month supply of pasta, rice, Tabasco, hardtack, canned fruit, red and black pepper, salt, coffee, honey and tea)"

Image from here.

South East London Gravel Grinding

When a track is marked as 'off-road bikes recommended' on the map, it kind of piques my interest. For this reason - in an effort to scratch a gravelly itch - I headed out last week to the Southern end of National Cycle Route 21 at Biggin Hill, which takes in quite a few miles of rough bridleway/singletrack before hitting tarmac. (Edit: it's not really the end, it runs all the way to Eastbourne, but it looks like the end because my map stops.)

For maximum un-paved points I also took in Riddlesdown which, from the North, is a real treat, but do watch out for pinch-flats... ahem.

The full route on Strava. Managed fine on my road bike with 25mm Panaracer Paselas.

Grand Départ

When a good buddy of mine suggested we keep the weekend of the Tour de France Grand Départ free to go stay at his mum's place in Yorkshire and watch the racing, I couldn't say no. We've ended up making it a really long weekend, giving us enough time to recce the route, fit in some pretty serious riding, and hang with my pop who is assisting a local mountain rescue team up there for the duration. I'll be posting a report when I get back, but keep an eye on my 'Gram and my Strava in the meantime.

Allez!

Happy Father's Day II

Pops swimming c. 1980s?

Last year's edition here.