Neil's Mountain Bike Indispensables.

I've spent a lot of money over the years on Mountain Bike kit and components. Not all of it proved a wise investment. I bought a few turkeys in my time, so I've put together a little list of the things that I have found to be indispensable in recent years. I appreciate that many of them are quite high-end products but for me it is value for money that counts and everything here has proven itself over and over again for bombproof long-term reliability. 

#DestinationUnknown - Independent Short-Haul Travel - Transfers & Accommodation Choices.

A homestay in Padang, Sumatra, not exactly slumming it.

OK, so we've booked our bargain flight with a budget airline (if not see here), what next?

Selecting an accommodation choice in a handy location and figuring out how to get there from the airport.

A lot depends on your budget, if you are solo or in a small group, how independent you really want to be, and whether you want a sociable or private environment.

The first question to ask yourself whilst hovering the mouse over that nice 4 Star hotel room is this: "How long will I actually spend in my room?" It's a simple enough question with a simple answer - not very long. The reality is that most of us need somewhere clean to stash our pack, take a shower, and sleep. The remainder of our time will hopefully be spent discovering our chosen destination. You can travel an awfully long way, for an awfully long time, on a very modest budget, if you're ready to forsake unnecessary luxury. I'm not saying that you should go for the cheapest out-of-the-way fleapit you can find but to be mindful of the available options and maybe select something that will offer you greater value for your money.