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…not just tents…a camping equipment blog too!

When it comes to Adventure Racing, Ian Adamson has achieved phenomenal success, winning the World Championships no less than six times! He has achieved fifteen world championship podium finishes and fourteen international adventure race championship titles, including Eco-Challenge and Primal Quest.

Ian Adamson, the worlds most successful Adventure Racer

Ian Adamson: Adventure Racer and Kayaker

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Ironman UK logo

Ironman Triathlon Bolton

Ironman is a name that has become synonymous with the triathlon event:swimming, cycling and running. The first Ironman event took place in Hawaii in 1978. Since then it has become a global phenomena. In 2010 there will be 25 Ironman races held in 16 countries worldwide.

“Swim 2.4 miles! Bike 112 miles! Run 26.2 miles! Brag for the rest of your life” Ironman registered trademark.

Top athletes can compete the course in just over 8 hours, however to finish the race, participants must complete all three sections within 15 hours. All finishers are entitled to call themselves an Ironman!

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Mountaineering Ethics will help protect the Mountain Environment.

Mountaineering Ethics will help protect the Mountain Environment. Source: Flickr by dino_olivieri.

To coincide with International Mountain Day 2009, the UIAA International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation released their new code of Mountaineering and Climbing Ethics.

The UIAA’s bold summary encompasses the thinking behind the declaration:

Stretch Your Limits, Lift Your Spirits, Aim for the Top!

The mountaineering and climbing ethics code encompasses the following twelve points, which I have summarised below:

  1. Individual Responsibility – Be responsible for yourself, for others and for the environment.
  2. Team Spirit – Support and encourage your climbing team members.
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Bike and Ski at the same time!

The winter sport of skibiking, or skibobbing as it is also known, has been around since the 1950’s. A skibike is quite literally a bike with skis instead of wheels. Most of the other normal features of a bike have also been removed, such as the pedals, chain and brakes. Skibikes tend to be ridden down hill only and let’s face it, only a wuss uses brakes! Skibikes do have suspension however!

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The Adbu Dhabi Adventure Race, climbing in the desert.

The Adbu Dhabi Adventure Race, climbing in the desert.

Winter is upon us now in the UK. There was a frost this morning and there has been snow on some our higher peaks for some time now. Its time to put on lots of layers and maybe get out our winter accessories. You can’t beat hiking on a sunny winters day, seeing the snow in the trees and on the ground. The fresh, cold air invigorates your face, making your nose go cold. Best of all there is a log fire and a pint of real ale with your name on it, waiting in the country pub at the end of the walk. So why anyone would want to go to Abu Dhabi to take part in a gruelling adventure triathlon across the desert is beyond me…:-)

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Blackpool Tower: location of covert tower climb.

Blackpool Tower: location of covert tower climb. Source: Geograph. © Copyright Dave Green and licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence.

First opened in 1894, Blackpool tower is a 158m high steel structure. Blackpool Tower was modelled on the Eiffel tower, however one of the main differences is that the Eiffel Tower is a free-standing structure and Blackpool Tower is not. This fact presents a large obstacle for anyone who wishes to climb Blackpool Tower without the owners permission, as tower climbers “Userscott” and “Stepping Lightly” know only too well. At the foot of Blackpool Tower is a building of about 6 stories that houses which hides the base of the tower.

It’s about our hundredth attempt at possibly one of the hardest ‘buildering‘ challenges in the UK that leads us to the base of the tower. For two years the challenge wasn’t even the tower – it was getting to the base of the tower

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Sleep at night on your cycle tour, with some handy tips Tour by Greg Williams
Sleep at night on your cycle tour, with these handy hints
Image by Greg Williams

Bicycle Touring is an exciting, healthy way to spend your free time, either on your own, with friends or even your family! In my previous article An Introduction to Bicyle Touring the main forms of touring were defined. For most Cycle Tours the gear needed will essentially the same, although it will depend upon how much each individual cyclist is prepared to carry, what they view as essential items, what level of comfort is required, what terrain and distance the tour will cover and whether there are any support vehicles to carry equipment.

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Objective Achieved

I take great delight in informing you that both Paul and Martyn successfully completed the Liverpool Triathlon, posting competitive times in the process. Most importantly the “lads” had a thoroughly enjoyable day and can not wait for next year’s event which take place on 27th June 2010. They both enjoyed the tremendous support they received along the route whilst participating around the iconic Albert Dock.

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On monday Paul was moving like he was the Tin Man, wheres the WD40 when you need it! Source Flickr by J Bischoff

On monday Paul was moving like he was the Tin Man. Now where did we put the WD40? He will be ready for the race though.

Source Flickr
by J Bischoff

Paul, CheapTents Tin Man

With less than a week to go the Liverpool Triathlon there were concerns within the CheapTents.com team on Monday, as to the well being of our veteran competitor and “Ace” (his own words) shop manager Paul. Loud creaking noises were to be heard on the shop floor which staff attributed to building fatigue. Unfortunately for Paul the creaking was only heard when he moved. He later admitted that he was feeling a little tender due to his training regime over the weekend of a big Chinese meal…….. oh yes, and some running, swimming and cycling. Although we are all sure that after a few days rest he will be back to normal, maybe we should oil his joints!

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June 21st 2009 sees the first running of the Liverpool Triathlon with around a 1000 competitors expected. The CheapTents.com team have an interest in any such activity, but this is increased when two members of our shop staff (Paul & Martyn) are competing (or turning up!) to race around Liverpool’s Iconic landmarks. The Liverpool Triathlon has a range of events for people of differing standards and experiences, there are full distance and sprint events as well as children’s ones, and it will be interesting to see how well this new event can work with the exisiting local Sefton Triathlon taking place on 27th June 2009.

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