Mushypea

I have a long relationship with Ricoh compact cameras, going back 15 years now.  As I do most of my photography on my bicycle, I found my SLRs were just too heavy, big and clunky to take with me on my trips.  I started using a 35mm Ricoh R1 and then progressed to a G1 before going digital with the GX5 in 2006.  I use the new interchangeable GXR body with a 28-300mm Wide Tele lens, as well as the 50mm Prime with APS-C sized sensor – great for portraits or any scenario where I need a greater depth of field.  For an article I wrote on compact photography with a Ricoh GX200, head here

Capturing the spirit of Adventure, the Australian Geographic Society support projects from Adventure, Community, Research and Science.

Powertraveller solar products are relatively new to Australia.  I have been testing the new PowerGorilla battery bank as well as the Solar Gorilla solar panel in north Queensland and am super impressed by just how useful and reliable the units are.  I use an inverter on the road to convert the DC output from the solar back to AC so that I can use my regular chargers and power adapters.

Ever since my first long distance mountain bike ride back in 1997 I have been riding Kona mountain bikes.  I have ridden Kona Kula XC exclusively as I have the best of both worlds, a great XC shredder for the weekends and an easily adapted frame for the long hauls.  Kona were way ahead of the game back in the 90’s with their Green ethos, way before it became fashionable.  I am proud to be riding a Kona Big Kahuna for the Shambhala trip, a 29er!

Ingrid & Brad at GEARCORP were my first sponsors and have been not only enthusiastic supporters of my trips, but have also become great friends over the 7 years I’ve known them.  Being keen adventurers themselves really helps, they totally well informed and super helpful.  They have helped me with countless product advice from tents to bags, fleeces to socks.

Leighton & Reece at FC in Manly – wow, what can I say!  I often think they’re more confused by my tales of mountain biking than anything else.  They’ve stuck with me over the years as the rides have become longer and more challenging.  They help rebuild my bike (more like bring it back from the dead usually!) with great care and have given me so much advice.  The boys love talking bikes of all disciplines and their no nonsense attitude is refreshing in an industry where many shops just want to sell the most expensive kit available.

During my Mongolia trip I overloaded the back wheel early on.  The Mongolian Steppes are not to be taken lightly and before long I found myself with 6 broken spokes and a long walk.  I decided then and there that from now on I would shift my heavy gear (water mostly) to a dedicated bit of kit that can handle the job.  Enter the BOB Ibex trailer.  Don’t leave home without one!