#headtorches

LEDLenser had organised an event with some extremely high profile adventurers to speak and had invited along around 40 also high profile sports persons, journalists, company owners…and me.  It turns out that someone not only reads my blog, but also my twitter feed and had even seen me in Trail Running Magazine this month, which was great for my ego.  Obviously good things do come in threes.

By a stroke of fortune, I work quite near the event and so went to a friend’s bar (Badr’s Bar) for a quick drink as I had an hour to kill before the #EpicLED event and then headed on over.  It was being held at Concrete, which strangely the last time I had actually entered was for a semi-legal (read probably illegal) rave that was held there about 12 years ago, making me feel very old.  It’s now a fancy pizzeria and club venue in a fashionably industrial style.

Upon entering Concrete, there was a clear signpost to head into the basement club area in the form of an LEDLenser poster, showing me I was in the right place.

I walked into the room and was immediately greeted by Lenka Istanova, who had invited me.  I’m familiar with Lenka as I read her Twitter feed and blog, and she also recently won the Reading Ultra 12, a 12 hour night time ultra, which is no small feat.

Immediately handed a goody bag, my evening was made already.  It contained some LED Lenser literature and a catalogue, a LED Lenser SEO5 head-torch and a LED Lenser Nano head-torch – some extremely impressive pieces of kit!  I’m looking forward to following this up with a review of both, as they are both extremely different pieces of kit but also differ quite a lot from my current head-torch too.

Entering the room, I was introduced to Leo Houlding and Charley Radcliffe.  The four guest speakers were Leo, Charley and Sophie Radcliffe and James Adams.  There is more on these four later, but Leo and Charley were both very interesting and a good laugh.

I also met a fella called Tom Payne who had spent time training in Kenya with some of the world's best runners and ran an astounding 2:17 marathon, which is probably an average pace faster than I can do the 100m (with a jetpack).  Obscenely fast and  a nice guy. 

Right by where we were standing, LEDLenser had several desks laid out with all of their extremely sexy torches from keyring torch, through trail running head torches, to handheld suns on a stick (literally; their X21R, which was being used as a spot light during the talks, was noticeably giving the guest speakers a tan in the couple of minutes they were on stage each).

LED Lenser X21R - Handtorch / sun on a stick

Out of nowhere, the lights dimmed to black, lightning flickered and thunder crashed.  It was all suitably dramatic for a night of stories about #epicLED adventures.  

Our attention was drawn to the main stage, which had a dome tent on it to set the scene further and the adventurer couple, Sophie and Charley Radcliffe walked up.

Sophie and Charley Radcliffe are a lovely couple which I discovered throughout the night, however have achieved some great feats together.  Recently, Sophie, with Charley on support, completed a cycling tour of all 8 alpine countries and climbing their highest mountains in four weeks.

The tour took them from the starting point in Triesta (0m) Italy to Triglav (2,864m) in Slovenia, Grobglockner (3,798m) in Austria, Zugspitze (2,962m) in Germany, Grauspitz (2,599m) in Lichtenstein, Dufourspitze (4,638m) in Switzerland, Mont Blanc (4,810m) in France, Gran Paradiso (4,061m) in Italy and finally finishing in Chemin des Revoires (161m) in Monaco.  Wow.  

All of this amazing effort makes Sophie the only person to have cycled all 8 alpine countries and climb their highest mountains in one push, which certainly earns the title of epic.

Charley and Sophie Radcliffe

Following up from Charley and Sophie, Simon Freeman of the fantastic "Run Like the Wind" magazine (subscribe - seriously, you won't be disappointed), took to the stage as compere to introduce proceedings and thank LEDLenser for putting on such a great event for everyone.

Simon Freeman, of Run Like the Wind magazine

Next up, following a sudden drop of the lights, more ominous thunder and lightning and a blast of light from a single X21R used as a spot light (honestly, those things are obscene) everyone's attention was drawn to the other side of the room, where James Adams, an extremely accomplished ultra runner sat (probably something he doesn't get to do in his daily schedule too often).

James Adams; ultra runner and author

In case you haven't already read it, Running and Stuff, James Adams book is a brilliant read.  He doesn't try to place himself among the lofty (and extremely fast) heights of the Scott Jureks and Killian Jornets of the world; instead detailing his personal experience, enjoyment and successes in an extremely humble and readable manner.  For me, he encapsulated why long distance running is for everyone and not something to be intimidated by, despite some of the brutality he has put himself through.  He came across on the night just how I imagined he would from his book.

James has ran 3200 miles across America in 10 weeks during the worst heat wave they've had in living memory, along with completing countless other famous ultra marathons (Badwater, Marathon des Sables; the list goes on).

Once again, we were hit by another bout of thunder and lightning, with our attention being drawn back to the stage, where Leo Houlding who I had met earlier sat.

Fortunately, I met Leo like this...

...rather than up here. 

As I mentioned earlier, Leo, Charlie and Tom were the first three people I got chatting to when I arrived, after an introduction from Simon.  All three were fascinating; I mentioned that my wife was from Cape Town, how much I loved the trails there and how I had gone climbing on my last trip with my nephew Sachin for the first time in years, and Leo's eyes lit up.  The passion he had describing why he thought Cape Town was one of the best climbing spots in the world, talking about the types of rock and mountain ranges was highly infectious.  When people got onto the topic of security issues of Cape Town, I admitted it was one of the few places that I would feel safer doing the terrifying climbs Leo does than running on a trail.

For those of you who aren't familiar with him, Leo Houlding is a world class climbing prodigy and a true British talent.  He gained a lot of well deserved fame for starring in the film "The Wildest Dream" alongside fellow climber Conrad Anker; the feature being narrated by Liam Neeson, with Ralph Fiennes, Natasha Richardson, Hugh Dancy and Alan Rickman.  I won't ruin it for you by giving any spoilers, but it is an awe inspiring film that anyone interested in the great outdoors needs to see.

Leo is a natural orator with infectious enthusiasm when recounting his many adventures.  Have a look for yourself at his website, which features some stunning photography http://www.leohoulding.com/

Simon gave a little closing speech and left us all to mingle, which I was keen to do.  There were loads of interesting people to speak to at the event.

Lenka introduced me to Emma of Lunges and Lycra, a website I had checked out a few times already (it's not that kind of site - purely professional).  It turns out Emma and I work/worked in the same industry and had a few connections there too.  She was a load of fun, but her website is really very good, so have a look.

I met a few of the guys at LED Lenser, as I had some questions about their products and they really knew there gear inside out.  I could tell how passionate they were about their products, which is something that really shows; anyone who I know who has used one of them swears by LED Lenser.  I was a little embarrassed to say that I hadn't previously used one of their products but I'm in the process of thoroughly trialing the SEO5 and Nano they gave me, so more to come.

Once more, the people surrounding Epping Forest are going to get freaked out by a wildly bobbing, insanely bright light, floating around the forest late at night and early in the morning.  

I spent a considerable part of the night chatting with Damon Clark of Amphibia Group, who was a good laugh.  His company runs wilderness training courses, from navigation, through climbing, to Duke of Edinburgh awards.  They've got some serious expertise amongst their instructors and after a few beers with Damon, I'm seriously considering taking him up on his offer of checking one out.

Also, I got to meet Julie of Run Like the Wind magazine (and Simon's wife) who was a stack load of fun.  They couldn't be a nicer couple.

A bit of mingling later, I received a text to say that my daughter wasn't being very diplomatic with my wife, so I made my excuses and left.  From what Damon said, I missed out on a good night after, but I'd enjoyed myself enough.

I left with a few beers and good pizza in by belly, some good memories, some new friends and most importantly; the amazing goodie bag - Cheers LED Lenser!