Just got myself a few bikey tools

I had been looking to lighten my cycling tool kit, especially as now I tend to ride wearing either my CamelBak or Osprey bum bags, or what some may call a fanny pack "Ooh err missus!"

CamelBak Mule bum bag

Osprey bum bag 

I prefer wearing the bag around my waist as it can elevate getting a sore back and shoulders which can occur when wearing a backpack. Plus it can actually prevent saddle sores, due to better weight distribution.

And so to what I enjoy doing, a spot of research and trying to discover the best quality gear, that was both light and at a good price.

After checking out reviews on the likes of YouTube and online bike websites I decided to opt for a few bits of kit.

The first being a Blackburn Switch, which comes with all the essentials I would require should I have a minor mechanical on the trails. The Blackburn tool kit includes a chain breaker, which is pretty handy as some tool kits don't have one, so you then have to keep a separate tool in your tool roll.

Blackburn Switch ratchet tool roll

The next couple of handy items come from Peaty's, and these are a cool. I bought a puncture repair plugger, for tubeless tyres, that comes with a plugger and things I think they call "worms". These are inserted to plug where a potential thorn or other things has caused a puncture. 

Peaty's plugger

Then I purchased something called a "Hole shot" which is a CO2 cylinder, well two actually with a neat adaptor. 

Peaty's Co2 Inflator

These two items should save a lot of time should I encounter any punctures on the trails, and they are pretty light in my bag and I also have more room. 

Eighteen Years Later - Word of Warning Contains Graphic Images

It has been eighteen years to the day since I had my right leg amputated.

Kotz Prosthesis

Kotz Prosthesis

September 11th will no doubt bring back memories for lots of other people for a very different reason,  that being the Terrorist attacks in New York on the World Trade Centre and the Twin Towers 11/09/2021

For me, 2007 was to be the beginning of a whole new chapter in my life. Having been diagnosed with a giant cell tumour in my right tibia, this was around the May of 1995. The tumour emerged about a month after I witnessed a horrific murder just down from my parents' house.

WORD OF WARNING CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGES

Oooh I have got my eye on a new action camera that looks absolutely amazing

Being off bored and nothing much on TV I did my usual and checked out Youtube, where upon I got my eye on this absolutely amazing action camera. The camera in question being an Insta 360 X5.

  

Insta 360 X5

The camera has dual lenses and can shoot in 8k and comes with AI software that can be either used on a computer like a Mac or Pc. You can even choose to use the mobile app. From the shots taken and then edited in the softaware some of the films I have watched look amazing, with very stable footage and the shots taken from some unbelievable vantage points and angles.

The camera can be used with a selfie stick and I am not sure how... it must be something to do with the AI software, but in the final editing the selfie stick and camera cannot be seen. This makes the filming of your films look like someone else has shot the final takes, and you can also take a shot which appears as if a drone has captured the images.

The Insta 360 X5 which is the latest addition to the Insta range has lots of accesories which can be purchased to add to your collection and enable you to take even more inspirational footage from various vanatge points.

I am now hoping to get myself one of these cameras as I believe it will help with my own home grown cycling films and create more interesting and scenic shots.