A tribute

THE DEBT IS NOT LISTED!

"How to follow the Derby", or, "Tom - sports journo extraordinaire"

My friend Tom (@iamcooling) is taking over my blog and twitter feed while I'm away in Mongolia.  Thanks, buddy!

Here he is, kissing a dog

If you'd like to follow the Mongol Derby closely, you can track the riders live here:

http://www.tracking.theadventurists.com/#mongolderby/mongolderby14

Bear in mind that Mongolia is 7 hours ahead of the UK, so the race will start every day at midnight UK time and the riders will have to stop at 1300 UK time each day.  

If you miss the live action, you should be able to read an update from Tom on this blog or my twitter feed (@rmmongolderby) later in the afternoon, although he obviously has a life and is doing me a favour so no guarantees!

Sunset

Unusually, I found myself strolling along the Southbank at sunset.

That is all.  Bye bye London.

Pure gold: skincare tips

But not your average skincare tips...

This is for rowers, climbers and anyone who works with their hands.  Want to know how to make your hands harder?  Want to repair your hands after they've taken a bit of a beating? Want to glue your split nails back together and manage ragged cuticles?  File

calluses?

This article tells you everything you need to know - product, care and maintenance.  It's fabulous.  Vogue beauty awards be damned!

http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-gear/gear-shed/style/The-Pros-Hand-Care-Tools-and-Tips.html?utm_campaign=rss&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=xmlfeed

Sky Running

An old housemate of mine, Liz Barker, recently ran the Dolomites Skyrace.  She's a serious athlete and I'm used to seeing photos of her cycling or running in scenic mountain locations, but the photos she posted recently are something else.

Image borrowed: www.widermag.com

This is an event only for experienced mountain runners: the route is a 22-kilometre up-and-down loop which features 1750 metres of ascent and 1750 metres of descent.  The start and finish are in the ski and holiday resort of Canazei (1450m).  The highest point on the course is on the summit of Piz Boè (3152m), the highest peak of the 'Gruppo del Sella' massif.

I can't really describe how awesome this race is.  Just take a look at this video...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CkvS6tUIQY8

Chapeau, Liz!

The last cowboy

Last month, I wrote about Felipe Leite, who has ridden from Canada to Brazil.

He's working on a documentary and book about his ride, so watch this space.

Outside magazine interviews him here:

http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/the-current/events-expeditions/Catching-up-with-Journey-America.html?utm_campaign=rss&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=xmlfeed

And an earlier interview by the magazine in 2012 is here:

http://www.outsideonline.com/blog/outdoor-adventure/expedition-watch-a-two-horse-journey-from-canada-to-brazil.html?utm_campaign=rss&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=xmlfeed

Jusqu'ici tout va bien

I must apologise for the long delay since my last post.  As the race has drawn closer, I've been busier training but also at work and making sure that all the plates keep spinning.  One of those plates has been fundraising.  I have been immensely touched by the generosity of old friends, new friends, acquaintances and colleagues who have dug deep to raise over £3,000 for Seeing is Believing (with bank matching).  

You can join the fight against avoidable blindness here.

As for my progress in other areas, with nine days until I get on a plane and fly to Ulaan Baatar I can only repeat the immortal words:

jusqu'ici tout va bien

Clearly an excuse to post this video.  Enjoy!