I go turfing most days, often wondering where to go and what to do when I get there, trying to avoid the monotony of taking the same old local zones all the time. But today, a timely email from turfer Sven from Berlin in Germany, reminded me that I have a whole list of turf challenges still to complete. Yes, I’m talking about the Planet Gary unofficial turf medals.
To date I’ve created around 30 unofficial Planet Gary turfing medals, with almost 100 individual medals if you include all the many different denominations, e.g. 5, 10, 25 and so on. I’ve made good progress with some of them, some relatively easy and some very challenging indeed. However, I really should be trying a few more and perhaps invent further ones to add to the collection as well.
Here’s a few suggestions to get you started:
- 28 Minutes Before – take as many zones in 28 minutes, avoiding zombies.
- Bridge Spotter – take 10 different zones with the bridge attribute.
- Fairy Tinkerbell – take one each zones values, 185p/+1, 170p/+2, etc.
- Ghost Buster – complete a Ghost Minute at 10 different holy zones.
- Grail Lord – take 10 different zones with the holy attribute.
- Nature Watch 25 – identify different species of animal at 25 zones.
- Night Owl – taking 100 zones between midnight and 4:00 am.
- The Grand Turf – turfing by car but not leaving the vehicle.
- Turf Ranger – camp or bivvy overnight in a turf zone.
Turfer Sven from Berlin, in his email, mentioned an interesting idea for an unofficial medal, an explorer medal. Not quite sure how this would work but could see, for example, an Edinburgh Explorer or Midlothian Explorer medal. This would perhaps involve taking a set series of 10 or 25 named zones across the area, incorporating zones with some interesting associations, like historical, archaeological, geology, viewpoints, etc. Watch this space, as they say.
Now, folks, you may have noticed I’m a bit of weight weenie when it comes to bike parts, only a little teeny-weeny bit mind you. Some here’s the latest. I’ve been using a set of Schwalbe Marathon Tour Plus 700 x 37 tyres bought for the old Surly Ogre which I no longer have. They weigh in at a mighty 935g each. Add to that another 225g for inner tubes with sealant and you have 1160g per wheel, 2320g the pair. The weights are my own actual measures not those claimed by the manufacturer.
So, to lose some nasty unwanted weight I’ve purchased two Schwalbe Marathon Racer 700 x 38 tyres and will try some lightweight (and expensive!) TPU inner tubes I’ve got doing nothing. To date I’ve been reluctant to use these for fear of punctures. The new tyres and TPU tubes come in at 605g, that’s 1210g the pair, an overall weight saving of 1110g. The tyres have been fine on my single speed and fingers crossed the TPU inner tubes will hold up well. Think I’ll carry some spares just in case.
Next, another new unofficial Planet Gary medal. You may have noticed a section in Interests above called Brick Spotting. So, I thought why not have a turfing medal where you need to spot bricks in the zone. No, it’s not that easy! Not just any old brick. You need to spot bricks with a brick mark, for example, PENTLAND, EDINBURGH, WALLYFORD and NIDDRIE are common around here and there are literally thousands of others. And if anyone finds a BONNYRIGG PATENT, I will give you £10.00 for it. Good hunting.
And to finish, a call to the Turf Lords and Turf Wizards for a few minor amendments to some existing medals.
- Ghost Minute – please allow to be repeated., e.g. Ghost Minute 5, Ghost Minute 10, etc.
- Daily 5 – continue this one after Day 365. Daily Y2, Daily Y3, Daily Y4, etc.
- Darkest Ninja – also allow to be repeated, e.g. Darkest Ninja 5, Darkest Ninja 10, etc.
Thank you. Back soon.
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