Fun

Attempting to live an adventurous life in a nannying age

My first time

by Steve Baker 15 June 2007 in Fun Comments are Disabled

On a bike that is. I’m on the left, in the lead (obviously). I was about 8 IIRC and I fell off seconds later, but I think I managed a few laps before and after.

The Stelvio Pass

by Steve Baker 13 June 2007 in Fun, Photography Comments are Disabled

Drove this in Summer 2006: a truly great experience.

Driving’s great, but it’s not as good as the real thing

by Steve Baker 13 June 2007 in Fun Comments are Disabled

Magnificent ride home last night on the KTM from London. Left the M4 at the usual place, with dusk gathering and made it home just as the last of the light left. The lanes were empty and the countryside beautiful. I spotted a lone white horse in a verdant shallow […]

Masterclass

by Steve Baker 9 June 2007 in Fun Comments are Disabled

That was hard work! Spent the morning in a BMW 528i driving to a mediocre standard, but stayed safe. Redeemed myself in the afternoon in the Saab with a smooth and well-judged drive. Thank goodness. Nerves I guess.

Near miss with a tree

by Steve Baker 4 June 2007 in Fun Comments are Disabled

Almost forgot to mention: on that last skydive, the wind picked up and I misjudged my pattern. Narrowly missed trees to land just on the edge of the DZ. About time I improved my landing accuracy.

Great Skydive

by Steve Baker 2 June 2007 in Fun Comments are Disabled

Exited in a backloop at 9500 feet, got stable and practiced turns on arms and legs, in a formation suit with booties. Great fun. Now reaching the stage that I have time on my hands in freefall, even exiting 4000 feet lower than on AFF. Really looking forward to starting […]

Mumbai Meleé

by Steve Baker 10 February 2007 in Fun Comments are Disabled

Woa! There it is. Back home now and all we managed to do was work, eat, drink and sleep. We saw the hotel, the office and the route between: not much of an adventure? Yes, the adventure was all on the roads. If there’s light between two vehicles, someone will […]

This week’s Big Adventure: Mumbai

by Steve Baker 4 February 2007 in Fun Comments are Disabled

My current client has placed me in Mumbai (neé Bombay) for a week. It’s now 04:00 here and I’m up at 07:00. Oh dear. India impresses so far. The airport was the most efficient I have ever seen: perhaps 30 sec delay through passport control, then my bags were waiting. […]

Saab 9-5 Aero vs track

by Steve Baker 4 February 2007 in Fun Comments are Disabled

The Hirsch suspension was well worthwhile, but I won’t bother with the engine upgrade: the car can’t put down the power it has now. It’s fine on the road of course, but powering out of bends on the limit with ESP off, you simply spin the power away. Track driving […]

Hirsch sports suspension

by Steve Baker 28 January 2007 in Fun Comments are Disabled

On Friday, the Saab was treated to Hirsch sports suspension: stiffer springs and matching dampers all round, lowering the car 10mm. A great decision. The ride remains comfortable but the car has taken on a whole new taughtness. After 2 years, my 9-5 Aero feels new again and for much […]