Other Stuff.

Decathlon Arpenaz 100 Boots.

I'm a bit of a fan of Decathlon's gear I must admit, and have had no issues with anything I've bought from them so far. They have a goodly range of outdoor clothing to suit all pockets, even my notoriously tight ones, as well as hardware for all sorts of pursuits - skiing, fishing, shooting, cycling, Ferret Tickling, you name it, they've got the clobber and the gear for you.

I am now on my second pair of Decathlon boots, and very pleased I am with them too. The first pair, the cheapest walking/trekking mid height boot they sell, is the Arpenaz 50 at just £11.99, and I'm wearing them right now. I bought them for on the bike use after several equally cheap pairs from other sources all failed in some way. These Arpenaz jobbies though are pretty well made for the money, and I only retired the '50s' from front line biking because I fancied a pair that might add some waterproofing to my arsenal of wet weather gear. The Arpenaz 50s are not sold as being waterproof, and they aren't at all, so fair enough. I still wear them around the house though, and they are still all in one piece.

So fancying some Beetle Crushers that I could go a paddling in, I went for the next model up in the range, the Arpenaz 100s shown here, for a mere £24.99.

Now I must be honest, I was a little sceptical of that waterproofing claim... waterproof for 25 Lizzies? Hmmmm... but it turns out I was wrong to doubt the blurb, so far they have only let one bit of damp in, and that I think was my fault by having the laces over tight and rucking the upper up above the tongue, allowing some moisture in. I was stood in a ford mind you with the water well over the top of the toes at the time, so I forgive them that, especially as since they haven't leaked a drop. Now that to me is impressive bootery for such little money.

As with the cheaper model, they are comfortable straight out of the box (Anyone else remember the days of agonising breaking in periods for new boots/shoes?) and appear well enough made. No loose threads, no splits or separations of layers etc. The tread pattern is one of blocks and grips the pedals well, but they do clog with mud fairly easily. The 100s are a tad wider on the foot too, a slighter broader boot, but I haven't found that an issue.

They seem warm enough in winter and yet my feet don't sweat in summer either.

This is why I wanted some waterproof bootage - dicking about in fords/puddles/streams trying to get the angle of photos I want, and I haven't been disappointed. It is quite liberating being able to just wade straight in happy in the knowledge that one's feet will stay dry.

I'm not sure how these would hold up to full time hiking and clambering about in varying terrains, but for my requirements I can't really fault them. For the money I'd say they are an absolute bargain.

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Mini Trangia Stove.

I used to like camping with my then wife in my earlier years, usually with a motorcycle as the preferred motive power. The freedom to roam, the cheap accommodation, the fresh air, the lumpy ground, the leaking tent, the sitting outside the tent looking up at the stars with a freshly brewed mug of coffee, looking back on the day's events. I've got many happy memories of camping trips, but alas, with my various ailments now, I think my days of staying out under the skies are over. But I can take one aspect from those trips and use it on my bicycle rides these days, the stove.

Back then we had a large Trangia camping stove, which while not cheap, was a superb piece of well thought out kit. We did a fair bit of brewing and cooking on that stove, their versatility belying the modest looks. The only thing we added to the original stove kit was a kettle, and that fitted inside the rest of the ensemble, so it took up no extra space on the bike. There are no moving parts, and they are all solidly made, these things are built to last.

Surfing about the web I'd noticed a few cycling folk doing early morning coffee rides, where they set off at silly o'clock to ride somewhere scenic and brew coffee while watching the sun come up. What a superb idea! Well, maybe not the pre dawn part, good in principle, a bit tricky in practice I find, but I can do 'early'. It may be light, but it is still 'early.'

A quick ride down to river, and the first coffee of the day is on the way - magic.

So after a little thought and net browsing, I went for a Mini Trangia, seeing as it's just me, Billy no mates, nowadays, and straight away it brought back so many memories. Just the feel of the various parts and the smell of Meths saw me recollecting campsites with Alpine views, and days spent riding and evenings relaxing. One or two bits are different, but essentially the Mini Trangia is just a normal Trangia downsized in a couple of areas. The spirit burner is the same, same screw top so fuel can be stored in the burner, same simmer ring/snuffer cap. Same saucepan and frying pan/lid arrangement, just a bit smaller. The grab handle and the burner pot/windshield have changed but it's just like old times. And it works. Slowly, compared to gas stoves apparently, but it works. I added a kettle (also downsized from our previous one) and a windshield, as the pot the burner sits in doesn't do the job on breezy days. I now don't take the saucepan and lid with me unless I anticipate needing them, just the pot, the burner and the kettle, so it is all carried pretty easily and weighs about the same as a family size packet of crisps. Then of course there is an ignition source (matches/lighter/fire steel) a mug and something to drink, plus something to stir it with. I've also taken a second mug, and some of those mug meals too. All thoroughly enjoyable, seemingly tasting far better for being prepared and consumed while out and about.

These sorts of quick snacks work well too.

Mainly for me, it's coffee that I consume while out. Some folk get into carrying all manner of fancy coffee beans, grinding and filtering devices on their bikes, I so far, have stuck with these simple instant jobbies from various sources. All do the trick, and picking the right one for the right location/weather/mood is all part of the fun.

The stove has added a new dimension to my rides. It is an additional reason to get out somewhere and to get out early too. Making a coffee brewed outside somewhere the first of the day, makes a good incentive to get going, and a great reward for the effort involved in getting there. Plus I linger in one spot longer, rather than moving on after a quick photo or two. It's not just about the coffee, it's about the location, and the occasion. Making the first coffee of the day something to savour rather than just gulp down as I would at home. I've had one or two funny looks mind you, but knickers to 'em. They can have theirs out of a manky old flask or in a coffee shop with a load of other people, I'm brewing mine up sat by a river, or in the woods. I win.

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Winiary Chicken Noodle Soup.

I have three addictions - books, magazines, and one particular Chicken Noodle simmer soup.

Knorr do a good Chicken Noodle soup, very tasty, and I do consume theirs too, but the real treat is from Polish firm Winiary. I love this stuff, and have some almost every day for lunch, and have done for about 18 months now. I think each packet is suggested to serve four, but cobblers to that, the other three can get their own, I have a whole packet to myself... 

I did suffer soup trauma a while back mind, when the supermarket I got it from stopped stocking it (Tesco). That was a disaster. In stepped my sister who sent me some from Bristol, where her supermarket was more enlightened. Then I discovered Asda had it and I switched allegiances and the world was a happy place once more. I get my shopping delivered, so I always make sure several packets are ordered each week, despite having acquired a cupboard half full already - I don't want to be caught out by a shortage again!

I add a little chopped onion, some black pepper, sometimes chopped mushrooms and some croutons, but really, the soup is just sublime without any further embellishments. The flavour, for me, is spot on, really tasty, and the smell... The smell fills the house with a seductive foody fragrance that has received mentions from people who have knocked on the door while my lunch was bubbling away on the stove. Out on a ride and as I get nearer home I can almost taste the soup and smell it in my copious nostrils as I look forward to lunch, it is that good. 

According to Hollywood, after the bomb or some big natural disaster, petrol (Mad Max) and soil (Waterworld) will be the sought after commodities that people will fight to the death for. Sod that, it's this soup for me. 

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