Re-cycle

So how was the Easter weekend? We were certainly blessed with some amazing weather of which I hope you had the chance to make the most of.

Well, even if you didn't get the chance, don't fret as we have the opportunity to do it all over again this coming weekend. Brilliant.

I came across the Bicycle City film trailer a few weeks back and didn't get round to posting it. Before I go into any detail I suggest you follow the link and take a few minutes to see what they're all about.

'So what happens to an impoverished developing nation town when you flood it with 20,000 bicycles? You lift three times that number of people out of poverty'. The Bicycle City, which is currently in post production is the story of the struggle, determination, idealism, and hope that has brought about the transformation of an entire society.

This is not a process that has been achieved over night, Pedals for Progress and founder David Schweidenback have been shipping used bicycles to Rivas, Nicaragua for the last two decades and the transformation has been incredible.

A charity which has been achieving similar feats since 1998 is Re-cycle based in Colchester. Re-cycle provide bikes to various locations in Africa, focusing on their four key initiatives; medical assistance, education, women empowerment and to provide support to local entrepreneurs.

Two Red Cross workers with Bicycle Ambulances

Re-cycle help health/AIDS workers reach remote villages and even provide an ambulance service in remote Namibia. I love the idea of the bikes that we feel we have no use for are given a second life in Africa.

If you would like to donate a bike or get involved in a project near you please follow the links for further info.

So you now know what to do with those bikes sitting in the back of the shed, at the bottom of the garden, no longer in use ...

Millican Stateside

Big news. Millican has landed stateside.

That's right, the US won't know what's hit em! Millican Dalton was the adventuring type, but I'm not sure if he ever made it as far as Los Angeles. I am pretty sure he would be proud.

Back in November 2010, we were contacted by Revolve Clothing. They'd read the Millican feature on Trend Central and asked if we'd be interested in working with them.

Screen shot from the Revolve Clothing website

We have always had a vision that our bags would be accessible to like-minded people around the world and working with Revolve Clothing we're sure is a step in the right direction.

Established in 2003, Revolve Clothing offers a range of luxury and lifestyle men's and women's clothing as well as accessories. They have a great online offering and also a flagship store in West Hollywood.

Cumbria to Hollywood - I know what your thinking ...

It wouldn't be right if I didn't post a picture of the Hollywood hills

It's an exciting step for Millican and we are privileged to be stocked among brands such as Jack Spade, Fjallraven and James Perse.

Will the US market take to Mark, or will it be Stewart or maybe Dave? Your guess is as good as mine ...

Follow the link to see how Millican is getting out there in the US.

Henry comes to Keswick

Last week Henry our bag maker made the trip over to the Lakes to see what Millican life was all about. It's always nice to see Henry and it was enjoyable giving him an insight into Millican and the Lake District.

Henry at Treeby and Bolton

Millican HQ - The Shed

Vera

Still going strong: Mitsubishi CU 865

The distribution center/lockup!

Henry is not just a bag maker. He also owns a farm which provides vegetables for his company's canteen, as well as feeding another 1,000 workers elsewhere. He’s passionate about food, tea, quality of life and it was only right that he experienced some local cuisine.

=.=個樣......... Exactly

Barefoot Walking

Barefoot walking and running has gathered some momentum over the last couple of years and it appears that it’s becoming ever more popular.

Going barefoot, of course, is nothing new but the recent rise in its popularity is unprecedented and it seems there is a little more to it than just running without any trainers on.

I am currently half way through the book Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. The book follows Christopher as he tries to figure out a way to run pain free. In the past whenever he attempted to run more, his foot flared up with pain.

Born to Run by Christopher McDougall

Searching for answers, Christopher stumbles upon the legend of the Tarahumara Indian runners, who run for miles upon miles with only small pieces of fabric strapped to the bottom of their feet with little or no injury: “…running shoes may be the most destructive force to ever hit the human foot” (p. 168).

But the book is not just about going trainer-free. Many interesting characters are met along the way, each with their own running secrets and amazing athletic feats.

Christopher's inspiring tale, coupled with the rise in temperature in recent weeks, has certainly raised the likelihood of me peeling off my shoes and socks and seeing what it’s all about.

For those of you who would rather take a more relaxed approach to going barefoot should consider joining Alison O'Neill on a free range walking holiday.

Alison O'Neill walking barefoot in Cumbria

Alison is a working shepherdess situated in Sedbergh, Cumbria and has long been an advocate of walking barefoot. She has devised specific Barefoot Walks that enable you to feel a range of textures on the soles of your feet, as well as incorporating barefoot elements into other walks.

There are endless statistics that prove how, despite technological advances in the manufacture of running shoes, they seem to cause more problems for the feet and legs than they prevent.

Of course there are disadvantages too. I'm sure many podiatrists and physiotherapists cringe at the notion of hordes of unshod feet pounding the pavements, where the risks include cuts, bruises and encountering any number of unsanitary obstacles underfoot.

It is highly recommended that if you are going to start, start slow. This will allow thickening of the skin on the soles of the feet (nice thought) and adaptation of muscles and ligaments.

Photo courtesy of Ryan Grayson

And if you are going to start, be prepared - it will take some getting used to ...

Gobi Coolers

Do you remember us telling you about our web-designer Liz and her partner Chris deciding to go for a little bike ride? The one from New Zealand back to England?

It was going to take them 18 months. That was 18 months ago. They have just arrived in Beijing.

Luckily for us, Liz decided to come home for an extended Christmas break late last year, hence all the subtle changes to our site recently.  Chris, meanwhile, made a little detour through the Tibetan mountains.

When we chatted to Liz about their next leg of the journey back home, she described how she'd fly back to China, meet Chris in Chengdu (apparently he looked wild when she saw him after 3 months apart) and then they'd ride through the Gobi Desert. In winter. Camping. With temperatures down to -40 degrees at night.

Although we were worried about the well-being of Liz & Chris, they were primarily worried about the well-being of their kit at these temperatures - fuel bottles, drinks bottles, batteries, cameras and laptop.

This called for some serious insulation. This called for Herdwick sheep!

And so the Gobi Coolers were born.

Chris turned out to be a designer's dream, sending us a 4 page email with ideas, measurements and lots of detail from a Tibetan Plateau internet cafe, which we turned into some sketches. 

Vera applied her magic in the garden shed once more and DHL managed to find their hostel in Beijing to deliver the survival package with 6 bespoke Herdwick insulated covers.

Chris and Liz appeared to be delighted at first sight, although naturally the real test will come when they meet the Gobi Desert face to face very soon.

We can't wait to read their updates - follow their adventures via their Bikeabout website, and while you're there, donate a few pounds to help them raise £20,000 to build a school with Child's Dream in South East Asia.

Anyone cycling through the Gobi Desert deserves our support, right?

Fishing

I'm a regular visitor and fan of the inspiring blog Hearblack that documents the life of Nathan and Katie through their stunning photography. A recent post that really caught my attention was the SIFE project in the Tuvalu islands in the Pacific Ocean.

Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) is an international non-profit organization that works with leaders in business and higher education mobilizing university students to make a real difference in communities.

Tuvalu is the fourth smallest country in the world and the people are dealing with many economic problems due to the size of the country, the rising sea level and emigration. SIFE Tuvalu Project works with schools and government, offering entrepreneurship workshops while also delivering books, computers, and other crucial supplies.

The tsunami was predicted to hit Tuvalu after the recent earthquakes in Japan. It is frightening to think what the repercussions would have been when the islands highest point is a mere 4.5 meters above sea level and the closest outside help would come from Fiji, 1,000km away.

Fortunately, the tsunami didn't hit Tuvalu this time. However, geographical conditions, isolated locations, and poorly developed infrastructure make the inhabitants of low-lying areas highly vulnerable.

Tuvaluans are closely linked to the sea. Children play alone in the waves from when they are very small. Fishing is the main income provider for most families and Tuvalu's biggest export is seafarers.

Tuvalu trailer

Tuvaluans know the strength of the sea, and they respect it. I think this story says it all.

A businessman was at the pier of the small Tuvaluan island when a boat with a fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were fish. The businessman complimented the Tuvaluan on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them. The fisherman replied: "Only a little while".

The businessman then asked why he didn't stay out longer and catch more fish? The Tuvaluan said he had enough to support his family's immediate needs. The businessman then asked, "but what do you do with the rest of your time?" The Tuvaluan fisherman said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a nap with my wife, Puna, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitars with my friends; I have a full and busy life."

Fishermen set out in their boat, Funafuti. Photograph: Ashley Coope

The businessman scoffed, "I am a Harvard MBA and I could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats; eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. You could sell directly to the processor and eventually open your own cannery. You would need to leave this small fishing island-nation and move to Australia, then LA and eventually New York City where you would run your expanding enterprise."

The Tuvaluan fisherman asked, "But how long will this all take?" To which the businessman replied, "15 to 20 years." "But what then, sir? The businessman laughed and said, "That's the best part! When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and make millions, flying around on your own corporate jet!" "Millions, sir? Then what?" The businessman said, "Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing island where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a nap with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your friends."

The fisherman, still smiling, looked up and said, "Isn't that what I'm doing right now?"

That's what I call going the full circle, don't you?

Courtesy of Hearblack