Ted Simon, Jupiter's Travels

Ted Simon speaking in 2012;

"A long time ago I heard Truman Capote describe his idea of a short story as, "a scrap of lightning that briefly illuminates the landscape." The image is so vivid that it has stuck with me over many decades, and I can't think of a better model for Journey Insights. Ideally they should be short and unpretentious. They should deal with a single event such as an incident, a meeting, a confrontation, a revelation, but within the telling there should be something that illuminates the landscape, and that landscape could be the local environment or culture, the journey of which it is part, or it could be the human condition. Some Insights may stray a long way from this prescription, but whatever it is it must be simple, honest and genuine, and to write something honest and genuine is already a triumph." 

Ted is the original Jupiter's traveller. On his trusty Triumph he showed us all how to travel simply, and as a co tributing and whole part of the local cultures he visited. He remains a strong inspiration for me and us all.

His blog is linked on the right - have a look!

Kriega R35

This rucksack lived up to the strong recommendations it was getting. Ride Magazine, MCN and Bike Magazine all gave it gleaming reviews.

JB agrees.

It's in the little touches that the R35 really excels. The grippy pads on the inside of the chest and waist straps to stop it shifting at speed make a surprising difference to comfort and wearability on the road. The two zipped pockets at the front are, frankly, a genius idea. These pockets alone have saved me a cumulative time totalling hours whilst filling up. No need to take the pack off or scrabble inside an outer jacket; cards and cash are right there. I got so slick that all I had to take off was my right glove in order to hold the pump and punch in the pin. The side pockets (vertical zips on the back) are solid and waterproof and the space inside is just right. On the downside, for there must be balance in a really good review, under heavy load the shoulders still take a strain and the mesh pocket at the top is too small for most everyday kit (wallets, phones etc) combined.

Journeymanbiker's verdict: Sorted.