I stumbled upon the HIGHPASS HYBRID BRIEFCASE BACKPACK in an electronics store. And was instantly impressed with the look, feel and weight (762 grams or 29 ounces).
I discarded the shoulder strap, further dropping the weight.
On the road, I frequently need to day trip with my laptop and a just a few extra items. Jacket. Snacks.
Read a review.
For all the many months I’ve traveled South America, I’ve not been to Ecuador.
It looks GREAT.
And I’m even considering forking over the dough for Galapagos.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
After 2 years, I finally got back to Bermuda, this time a month with the NEW Gymnastics Federation. I’m an appointed non-voting consultant on their Board
This trip was busier than ever before jumping back and forth between the two largest clubs.
With the Federation, we’re dealing directly with the Bermuda Olympic Association, still joyous about Flora Duffy winning the Triathlon at the Tokyo Olympics.
BEST was having no Spring allergies in Bermuda. What a relief from Canada.
The weather was mixed. We had more cloud, rain and wind than I can recall in the past.
I’m not sure when I’ll next get back to the Triangle. Perhaps May / June 2022 for our proposed 1st ever Bermuda National Gymnastics Championships.
End of the road.
2022/03 – SkyPixel 7th Anniversary Aerial Photo & Video Contest – 1st Prize Winner Nature
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Benn TK is one of my favourite video editors and travel vloggers. An Aussie, this was his first trip overseas in 2 years.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
My last trip before pandemic shut down travel was to Bermuda. March 2020.
Exactly 2 years later I was finally able to return. Just in time to help with the annual Bermuda International Gymnastics Competition (VIDEO) — though we had no international competitors this year. We kept it fast and fun hoping to inspire kids that the new normal would soon be here.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
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.
A new upgrade to my life is this lightweight minimalist wallet.
It carries only 2 cards (driver’s licence & credit) along with some emergency cash.
I don’t attach it to a phone. Instead I keep it in a a dedicated zippered card pocket which most of my pants and shorts feature.
What I like best is using it as a phone kickstand.
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.
Rick McCharles 