Comments for Ride Earth

Comment on Kona Explosif 2007 Frame Review by mike

mike — Wed, 14 May 2008 10:49:52 +0000

If it’s not a big problem, would you consider reviewing the Magura Odur fork ?? I am considering a purchase, so a review after such an extended use would be very helpful. Thx in advance.

Comment on Procrasti-Nation by guess who

guess who — Fri, 09 May 2008 12:44:58 +0000

You two are an inspiration - I just hope you manage to capture the unconverted and make them realise what they are missing. And re-ignite others who have forgotten what good things in life are free.
I have been told that I am easily pleased, probably by people who need much stimulation to be happy, but I’m glad to be so.
This morning I went for a bike ride and indeed gained much pleasure from simple things - the birds singing (including the cuckoo), the fields full of new growth, the vistas along my route, climbing up Nevill Holt hill without getting off and the wind rushing by as I free wheeled down, passing the time of day with folk who were out and about. These are things I have enjoyed all through my life and reading Ben Child’s reply on your previous blog reminded me of a very happy rural childhood where life was full of the outdoors and nature.
We must look after our planet for the generations to come.
GET A BIKE - HAVE FUN, MEET OTHER PEOPLE, GET FIT AND SPREAD THE WORD

Comment on In My Back Yard by Andy

Andy — Fri, 09 May 2008 07:49:16 +0000

Thanks Ben.

Comment on In My Back Yard by Daniel minjares

Daniel minjares — Thu, 08 May 2008 05:46:30 +0000

I recently recovering from a knee injury all I can say is when you cant do what you like its then you relize how much of you life in biking has your time and when your not doing what you love its time really missed Now on the mend all I can say is happy as can be. life is short ride today and make it a good one.

Comment on In My Back Yard by Ben Childs

Ben Childs — Wed, 07 May 2008 21:22:42 +0000

Hi Andy,

Reading this made me think back to the times when we were younger and we used to go down to the brook at the bottom of the field behind your garden. As we got older and more brave we negotiated our way to the end where it went under the road and to a small waterfall to which we could move no further forward. The pinnacle was wading, crouched down through the tunnel, listening to the cars rumbling overhead before turning round. I lost count of the times we did this but it never got boring or dampened our enthusiasm for it.

Whilst I have now got used to a life of “home comforts” and convenience I still look back fondly on the times where we could be entertained by the countryside and would encourage everyone to take your advice above and enjoy it whilst it there.

Massive respect for what you are doing.

Comment on Armenia and Global Issues by guess who

guess who — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 21:42:56 +0000

A very thought provoking blog.
A life of plenty creeps up on you. Being brought poor up in the 50/60’s we were encouraged to use our educational opportunities to better our selves. This probably meant getting ourselves a career with prospects but this inturn encouraged aspirations of livng a better life than our parents with a home with more material goods.
I was brought up in a rural environment where pleasures were simple. Was I happy? Yes. I now have many material goods and assets. Am I any happier? Probably not.
However, sometimes one has to have been there (i.e. have achieved the trappings or have been brought up with them) to appreciate how a simple life is quite attractive.
As I get older I sometimes think my life is too hedonistic. I search for a niche to give more to the community in which I live or to help those more needy than myself. This blog has made me think I must do something about it.
I will watch ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ and see if it directs me to a way forward. And I will let you know.

Comment on Small is Beautiful by Ben G

Ben G — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 16:28:05 +0000

Great quotes Andy, the second in particular sums up exactly how I feel about the situation we are in. There seems to be a MASSIVE lack of wisdom in the way we as individuals and as a global community continue to live. Instead, greed is the overriding trait that motivates us. This completely relates to Tom’s blog entry (Armenia and Current Affairs). Its interesting that while you are both apart you’re still thinking similar things…

Comment on Armenia and Global Issues by Ben G

Ben G — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 16:17:37 +0000

Also, I meant to say that this idea of going back to a simpler way of living is far too easy to romanticise - I am probably more guilty of doing this than probably anyone I know!

You have reminded me that I need to watch an Inconvenient Truth again. I’m going to buy it from Amazon now.

Comment on Armenia and Global Issues by Ben G

Ben G — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 16:12:33 +0000

Really interesting points you made here Tom. Its something I’ve been thinking about how recently; how would we, in our comfortable western lives actually deal with having a simple life once again.

Personally I think it might well be a wonderful thing, which makes me think that I should simply do it, give up the trappings of 21st Century living… but then I also wonder what would it actually achieve? Ok, it might mean I feel some kind of relief, leading a less complicated and stressful existence, but in doing so I would be ducking out of this society and generation that I have been born into. And with it possibly any opportunity to make some kind of inroad in influencing society in some way (in my case being able to make a documentary.)

So I think we do need to live simpler lives, but it should not and cannot be about simply going backwards. We need to use the technology and knowledge and mastery of our surroundings in a responsible way, with a great deal of WISDOM in order to start redressing the balance that at present is so woefully out. And before we can begin to do that, we need to take responsibility for our seemingly endemic human GREED that seems to me to be our biggest flaw as a species.

I came across a famous quote by Gandi the other day, you may have heard it before, which I think says it all really:

“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need, but not every man’s greed”

Hope you’re well.

Comment on Armenia and Global Issues by Katie

Katie — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 09:09:17 +0000

I showed an Inconvenient Truth to my 10th graders, and it really made them stop and think. Their class teacher liked it so much that he decided to show it to all the other classes in the high school. Great film!