~/hobbies

Hobbies & experiences

If it involved a gadget, a bike or a car, I've probably had a go at it.

Sport (the chocolate-burning years)

I used to say the only way I could keep eating this much chocolate was to exercise a bit. Over the years that meant adventure races, half marathons, a sprint triathlon at Dorney Lake, rock climbing in Spain, snowboarding, shooting, paintball and plenty of time in the gym.

Adventure race team photo at the finish
// Adventure race team photo at the finish

My first adventure race was the Dark and White race in the Peak District in 2007, with my friend Steve: 44.5 km of running, mountain biking and navigating in just under four hours. We came 3rd in our class, which hooked me, and Questars races followed. My best half marathon was Birmingham, in 1:39:30.

Bikes

I'd loved cycling since the stabilisers came off at age 3. My trusty mountain bike was a Giant Anthem X1, a full-suspension cross-country bike, and I later added a carbon Trek road bike. There aren't many mountains around Milton Keynes and Northampton, but trust me, there are plenty of hills. Rutland Water was a favourite too.

Alfa Romeo 156 with the mountain bikes on the back
// Alfa Romeo 156 with the mountain bikes on the back

Cars

These days it's just one car, a Tesla Model 3.

Before that came a long line of past cars. My first was a VW Polo, followed by a Golf, a Vauxhall VX220 (basically a go-kart with a big engine, and brilliant on track at Anglesey with Kevin), an Alfa Romeo 156 and a Giulietta, a Nissan Primera, a MINI Cooper S, a Nissan Leaf and a Mercedes C220d.

On track at Anglesey in the VX220
// On track at Anglesey in the VX220
Vauxhall VX220
// Vauxhall VX220
VW Golf Driver Mk III
// VW Golf Driver Mk III
MINI Cooper S
// MINI Cooper S
MINI Cooper S from the rear
// MINI Cooper S from the rear

Tesla camping and YouTube

The Tesla turned out to be a great little campervan. We explored Norfolk and Suffolk, including the Norfolk Broads and a wander around Southwold, and I spent two nights camping in the car on a Suffolk campsite, one night with James and one with Sophie. Naturally, I made a YouTube video about it.

I also make the occasional video about gear I actually use, such as my 57" Samsung ultrawide monitor and its arm, and a travel sling bag.

→ youtube.com/@TechboyUK

Technology and gaming

I'm a true geek. I've built a new PC every few years since I was a teenager, and I'm still a gamer, now in front of a 57" Samsung ultrawide. You'll find me on Steam as Techboy.

Collectormania

Collectormania used to come to the shopping centre in Milton Keynes, right on my doorstep. It was a chance to get up close to stars from the big and small screens, grab a signature, and browse stalls full of sci-fi merchandise. Not that I was stalking anyone…

Star Trek actors and a Dalek at Collectormania
// Star Trek actors and a Dalek at Collectormania
A man in a Dalek costume at Collectormania
// A man in a Dalek costume at Collectormania

Plenty of adventures in the bank. Who knows what's next?