The #1 expert is MatthewNorway on YouTube.
Matthew just launched a website for folks — like me — who want to information on how to ride in one of the most expensive nations:
I’d already hired Matthew to plan a 3000km route for me starting July 2022.
I’ll be using his new website, as well.
Click PLAY or watch an introduction on YouTube.
One reason I bought the Trek Checkpoint was to be able to cycle more rugged trails with a fully loaded touring bike.
How did that work out for me?
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
I’ve experimented with many tripods over the past 2 years. CRITICAL gear as I mostly travel solo and want to take photos and videos of myself while adventuring.
Weight and volume are super important. I can take them all on some bikepacking trips. But for hiking, I usually only take two of the smallest. All of these tripods can hold any of my 3 small cameras.
My favourite is the Miggo Splat. Super tough. Very reliable. BUT I did manage to break one.
Even better — but not as durable — is the Fotopro uFO 2.
Like the Splat, it can wrap around fence posts, tree branches, almost anything.
Least likely to make a hiking or bikepacking trip is my Neewer 56 inches/142 centimeters tripod. It’s good — but 2.73 pounds/1.24 kilograms is often too heavy.
I’m not much of a selfie stick guy, but the new-to-me 3m / 9ft Insta360 Extended Edition Selfie Stick has me intrigued. I MIGHT even end up getting one of their expensive Action Cameras.
I’ll often take it along despite the 365gm / 12.8oz load.
I bought the lightest JOBY GorillaPod I could. Only 325 Grams. But it’s pretty flimsy for anything more than a phone camera. I’ve never had much luck with JOBY. Those arms break easily.
So far I’m really liking my new DJI Mini SE drone. Until I crash it 🤔 … drone footage can replace tripod for long establishing shots.
Shooting video of yourself when alone can be tricky. Here’s how I’m doing it, so far.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
As my low end DJI Mini SE has NO OBSTACLE AVOIDANCE, I wanted to see how difficult it would be to shoot in the trees. 🤔
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
PLAN is visit the remote Faroe Islands summer 2022 as part of my PLANNED Norway, Faroes & Iceland cycling tour. 🤞
Weird and evocative.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
My Trek Checkpoint bike is still like new.
Today I flipped over the handlebars. First time ever, I believe.
I was wearing my helmet. But — happily — the Gymnastics training kicked in and I pulled off a shoulder safety roll with perfect technique. No damage. Helmet never hit the dirt.
I was on level ground. Easy riding. INSTANT stop.
My fender somehow came loose and wedged behind the tire.
Weird. I’d never heard of this happening before.
It’s still on warranty so I’ll have the dealer fix it.
The only thing that worried me about my new Trek Checkpoint ALR 4 backpacking rig is lack of suspension. It’s supposed to have some suspension in the carbon fork — but I still find it a lot stiffer than my old hard tail Ghost.
One way to add suspension is with a special saddle. Makes sense.
When I first heard about this unique product — the PNW Coast Suspension Ext Dropper Post — I started research in earnest.
Dropper posts allow riders to quickly lift and lower their saddle without the need to dismount and loosen the quick-release seat clamp.
The PNW Coast Suspension External Dropper Post is the first suspension dropper post, combining ride smoothing suspension and the benefits of a dropper into one seatpost.
The post comes with 100mm or 120mm of drop travel. It is perfect for XC mountain biking, gravel riding, bikepacking, commuting, and much more.
So far I’m LOVING the ability to quickly and easily raise and lower the saddle, even while riding. I now have 3 different handbag placements and multiple seat positions.
But I still don’t have as much suspension as I’d like.
Click PLAY or see how it works on YouTube.
Click PLAY or see a review on YouTube.
Here’s a review from someone who rides in my own style. Gravel. Bikepacking.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
I tried and failed to fly a DJI Spark drone when it was released 2017. Did not once get it off the ground. It was a dead weight on my Patagonia trip that year.
In 2021 the (Mavic) Mini SE is their entry level model. CAD $349. … How long before I break it? 😀
I’ve either gotten a lot smarter — or their drones are much easier to operate now.
Click PLAY or watch the 1st flight on YouTube.
I’d always been a skeptic of helmet mirrors: Easily breakable. And WHY would I be riding in traffic?
BUT so far I’m quite happy with the EVT Safe Zone Bicycle Helmet Mirror:
The largish mirror makes it easier to see what’s coming. But it’s nowhere near as good as a car mirror.
AND it’s quite expensive. About CAD $90.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Rick McCharles 