New on Sidetracked:

Microadventures

Local Discoveries, Great Escapes

“Our plan was simple, as good adventures ought to be. The best adventures are those that ring true, that can be summarised in a sentence or two, and planned on the back of a receipt from your book and map shop. We would travel from the south of the island chain all the way to the north. No buses, no ferries. We would pedal the length of each island then fold up our bikes and paddle by packraft across to the next island in this little northern archipelago. I fell asleep on the ferry reading the Odyssey. Tell me, Muse, the story of that man who was driven to wander far and wide… The irony of reading the epic Odyssey on a microadventure was not lost on me. But you don’t need to deal with a cyclops giant or the Siren’s song to have an adventure. All you need is something challenging, somewhere new, and a bit of imagination.
” – Alastair Humphreys


We’ve always said here at Sidetracked, that you don’t need to travel to the far corners of the world to experience adventure – it can be found just as easily in Dorset as it can in Dushanbe. And British adventurer, author and motivational speaker (and Sidetracked Ambassador) Alastair Humphreys agrees with us. “Adventure is the spirit of trying something new, trying something difficult”, says Al. “Above all, adventure is about enthusiasm, ambition, open-mindedness and curiosity.
 
Adventure is not only rowing oceans or cycling round the world. Adventure is everywhere, every day and it is up to us to seek it out.
 We all have to pragmatically juggle the commitments and constraints of our ‘real lives’. But we can still have a microadventure.
 
It doesn’t matter if you are old or young, male or female, athletic or unfit. This is for everyone.
 
Getting out into the wild, if only for one night, is enjoyable, invigorating and important.”

“Microadventures: Local Discoveries, Great Escapes” is the newly released book by Al and is jam packed with inspiration, ideas and suggestions for getting outdoors and creating a good work/life balance. Based around his own microadventure exploits, the first part of the book takes you out of the office for a 5 to 9 hilltop adventure, building and paddling a raft down river and going back to basics and survival in the woods – and that’s just for starters! The range of ideas within the book are wide and varying in difficulty ensuring that there’s going to be something in there to get you excited and reaching for your bivi bag. To ensure that there can be no excuses whatsoever, Al also provides some practical information with a whole host of hints, tips, equipment lists and location ideas.

adventure is about enthusiasm, ambition, open-mindedness and curiosity.
 
Adventure is not only rowing oceans or cycling round the world. Adventure is everywhere, every day and it is up to us to seek it out.
Microadventures-Alastair-Humphreys


“For the first couple of days we would travel cross-country, trusting to deer tracks to steer us through the steep, heather-covered wilderness. We scrambled up and down slopes, pushing through thickets and crossing racing streams. Progress was slow and our laden packs weighed us down. A splendid stag followed us for half a mile just 20 metres away while we climbed a narrowing glen topped with snowy crags. All around us was silence.”


To celebrate the launch of this new book we have 5 copies of Microadventures to give away. Just fill in your name and email address to enter the competition – it really is as easy as that! If you’ve recently been on a microadventure then do share it via Twitter, Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag #microadventure.

As Al reminds us: “they may be small, but microadventures can still be challenging and rewarding. Each one is designed to inspire others to set their own challenges, challenges which may be short but which grasp the spirit of adventure. Adventure is everywhere, every day and it is up to us to seek it out.”

For more information on Al, visit www.alastairhumphreys.com, follow him on twitter @Al_Humphreys or find him on Facebook.

Sorry, this competition is now closed.


Terms and Conditions

Eligibility
All entrants must be over 18
Entrants must fully complete and submit the competition form
Only one entry per person is permitted. Third party entries will not be accepted
The winners will be contacted via email by 4th July 2014
Congratulations to the winners may be published on various social media platforms

Entry Period
The Entry Period for the Competition is open from 23rd June 2014, and closes 4th July 2014. The Promoter reserves the right to modify, terminate, suspend or extend the Competition at any time without prior notice.

The Prize
Each respective winner will receive one copy of “Microadventures” by Alastair Humphreys
The prize is non transferable and no cash alternative will be offered

Acceptance by Entrants
Sidetracked Online Magazine may use the information you have provided to contact you via email. We will keep your details safe and we will not share your details with third parties. Personal information provided by entrants will also be used to administer the Competition.

Jurisdiction
Entrants agree that the Competition is governed, interpreted and enforced by the laws of England and Wales and by entering, all entrants submit to the jurisdiction of the Courts of England and Wales.

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