I've been giving route navigation a bit of a think. Maps are so last century. I reckon it would be at least 52 OS Explorer maps to cover the entire LEJOG route. Using phone navigation is fine with the right app, but getting it out at every junction or keeping it out so I can check I'm on the right path will be too laborious. I need my hands free for poles or eating or drinking or praying to the gods. The received wisdom from all my ultra friends is to use a GPS watch with maps. For the event itself, the daily GPX file is given by the team. Easy. Just follow the watch. So I've bought a new Garmin watch as an early Christmas present to myself. And now I know why everyone says you need to practice using it. I planned a walk to M&S (about 1 mile) taking a circuitous route to test it out. The display scale is too small, then shifts to being too big. And every time I try and change the display I create another lap, making it buzz annoyingly, or I lock the watch. Then
I don't want to get political. But I've been turning left for quite some time, and now I'm a bit sick of it. Ok, it's been a change, with a smoother ride, less bumpy and less chaos. But all the doom and gloom about what's gone on in the past and how it takes short term pain for long term gain, it's all got a bit pessimistic. I want to turn right again. I want to get back to the good old days. You know, like reaping the rewards after investing in steep climbs, by sitting back, drinking and enjoying the less taxing rolls. Like partying at the top despite others still struggling to climb up. So I ditched my usual left inclination, reformed and turned right the other day. And I have to report it felt good. I came out in a cold sweat. Breathless. But I did it. I actually turned right for once. Nothing to do with politics of course (I'm very comfortable with which way I'm turning on that front). It was whether I turn left or right out of my house on my