Lovely weather up here in the North Pennines - cold, snowy but blue skies and wall-to-wall sunshine.
https://live.opentracking.co.uk/spinerace23/ Although according to this tracker 13:09 16/1/23 the lead competitors are on the road near Forest-in-Teesdale school, not on the PW? Retired I guess?
Am Yisrael Chai
I see the current leader, Damian Hall, has a photo with him holding the banner 'just stop oil'.
Last edited by Mossdog; 16-01-2023 at 02:27 PM.
Am Yisrael Chai
I've seen that too. Perhaps he thought that the infrastructure for the race arrived at the checkpoints by horse and cart!Originally Posted by Mossdog
Visibility good except in Hill Fog
I've emailed Montane asking them to clarify their position on endorsing political slogans, particularly those that many would judge to be controversial. We could potentially have participates holding slogans such as 'stop the small boats' or 'Capitalism is murder', 'women are women - period', etc. By allowing a 'Just Stop Oil' slogan they are tacitly endorsing the message and linking it to their brand.
On your point, given Hall's political stance on oil, I'm surprised he seems to be dressed head (and presumedly to foot) in synthetic, oil-derived, outdoor gear. Somewhat hypocritical?
Am Yisrael Chai
Show me a slogan carrying campaigner and I'll show you an attention seeking, messianic hypocrite.
"...as dry as the Atacama desert".
I am halfway through his book "We can't run away from this" - a very interesting though rather repetitive read. He knows the issues. By being sponsored by/an ambassador for so many manufacturers, and participating in so many high impact events, he does put himself in a difficult position. He is well aware of this. Does knowing what he does, but still "doing", make him a better person? At least he has opened some other people's eyes, mine included.
I've not read his book Mike so I can't comment on how he's trying to influence things which he claims are important to him in his life. I certainly don't begrudge him having a view on a whole range of issues, even if they might not match my own or other peoples.
But, if he advocates for a position, and particularly one that is quite controversial and effects the lives of billions of people on the planet(as oil does), I think it's incumbent on him to have the courage to live his life in line with his espoused convictions, or otherwise (putting this politely) be quiet. "Just Stop Oil' is pretty clear. It's not 'Just Stop Oil A Little That Allows Me Enough To Enjoy The Comforts Of Modern Life To The Level I Prefer'.
Mixing politics with sport is fraught with complicated issues. I just wish he'd kept it out of the Spine. Interestingly, and maybe nothing to do with my email to Montane, his photo has been changed and shows him running, without any slogan. Perhaps they have rotating images, or maybe Montane have made a decision to just make the story about a brilliant and entertaining challenge - hope so, and I look forward to continue to follow the event. Whatever, he's an amazing athlete and I hope he does well and keeps safe.
Am Yisrael Chai
Maybe he should have ghost-written the book, with my name as author. Blurb: "Anthony Kay is a fell runner who travels to all his races by train and/or bicycle . . .". But then someone would have spotted me wearing a Helly Hansen base layer (made of polypropylene, with oil as its feedstock).
Actually, for some time I have felt that a really good reason to stop burning oil is that it is too valuable, as a feedstock for all sorts of useful products.
Last edited by anthonykay; 16-01-2023 at 09:03 PM.
In his lifetime he suffered from unreality, as do so many Englishmen.
Jorge Luis Borges
Damian Hall has his photograph from the Spine Race in The Daily Telegraph today (page 8).
Headwear by INOV 8
Bodywarmer by INOV 8
Gloves by...well you get the picture.
"...as dry as the Atacama desert".
Those three are shown as retired at Hebden. What they are doing up there is anyone's guess. Perhaps they forgot to hand their trackers in.
Visibility good except in Hill Fog
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