I am skinny - if I am not actively swimming in fresh water I am sinking (sea is different but sea comes with waves which is an added complication). If I am tired or nervous then I have to fight with my subconscious to be calm and stay safe. So I would add mental strength to the list for a first time swimmer. And even then I’d say don’t go out of your depth.

I wanted to avoid Garmins new paywall model. The avoidance of sending money to the US is a bonus. Changed 645 for Suunto Race S. Tip - you can download the Suunto app and use it for an activity or two to see what it does - obv you don’t get much data. There is ecosystem shock when you change from Connect (not connect plus because fuck Garmin) but you get over it. Maps are amazing.

Have a care with Garmin - they are starting to put data behind a subscription so you should assume in future it’s a subscription based hardware purchase. This means a) the hardware may now look overpriced and b) you can look at rideanalyze or strava or training peaks as alternatives to Garmin a connect plus. And they are stronger in some areas.

Thx Inxtx - evry day is a schoolday (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magneto-optical_drive)

What is the space underneath the floppy disk drive thing for? And how old is the picture do you think?

Article dated 9 July 2023. Clickbait

Universal healthcare for animals yes. A truly advanced civilisation would find the ownership of an animal by another (a pet) abhorrent. Animals are rational beings and have their own will, therefore we have a moral duty to care for them and not exploit them or keep them captive.

No idea about piracy …, but Kobo is definitely your go-to for any file format.

I wonder …

I understand using generations as an aid to statisticians dividing populations but using generations to generalise behaviour is weaponising age in a way that shouldn’t happen (as a test swap out a generation comment for a body type or your homophobic slang of choice)

Pronto

Cool cafe Also you are doing all this without suspension. I started a tour in Italy last year on my hardtail, but it was a bit punishing as the trails looked like yours. I’m going back in June. It taking my fully in touring-bike mode (tent on the front, drybag strapped below the saddle bag. I think it’ll be ok)( I just have to carry less)

Good call for the early rest day, and kudos for fessing up to the badass photo (although in truth the whole journey and all the photos are actually badass). Nice report. Please write more while you wait for food - it feels like one of my trips and the story is almost as good as being there. Except the beers.