by 3 people |
Why is walking such a good idea?
Walking is also an essential component of a pub crawl, although some of these recommendations are a little less suitable for pub crawls than walks.
Taking time out to walk is worthwhile, as is finding ways to incorporate a long walk in your daily commute. In fact, you may find it cuts commute time in busy cities. I also gives you a little time for reflection at the start and end of each day.
Taking a walk with friends, or a significant other is a good and frugal way to spend an afternoon, although ensuring you know a couple of pubs on the route is essential here, as you will all probably want to sit down afterwards.
However, some simple preparation can make sure that walks are enjoyable, not rushed and avoid some of the usual disasters that may occur. Don't get put off walking by failing to go through some of the more simple bits.
Most of these are optional, but seriously consider each one and you will improve your walking experience.
Contents
A backpack/rucksack
Mobile Edge Express Backpack-Black-MEBPE2
Amazon Price: $39.99 (as of 07/12/2009) 
Teton Bookbag (Blue/Grey)
Amazon Price: $24.99 (as of 07/12/2009)
High Sierra Swerve Backpack
Amazon Price: (as of 07/12/2009)
Fieldsheer Skid Lid Back Pack Bag - Standard/Black
Amazon Price: $89.95 (as of 07/12/2009)
Water bottle
I sometimes take a bottle of green tea instead, although green tea is a bit of an acquired taste. It is not as hydrating as water and can be a diuretic. I recommend not using sugary soft drinks.
If you want to get really sophisticated, you could acquire a "camelback" style backpack with a water skin. My backpack has a holder and outlet for one but I do not yet own such a skin.
Being caught without water will leave you feeling a lot worse for wear. It is neither comfortable or healthy.
CamelBak BPA-Free Better Bottle with Bite Valve,Berry,0.5 Liter
Amazon Price: $8.25 (as of 07/12/2009)
High Sierra Wave 50 Hydration Pack (Gecko, Graphite)
Amazon Price: $24.99 (as of 07/12/2009)
CamelBak Rogue 70 oz Hydration Pack (Black/Charcoal)
Amazon Price: $42.95 (as of 07/12/2009)
CamelBak Classic Hydration Pack-Black
Amazon Price: $33.95 (as of 07/12/2009)
Shoes
You should not wear heels, crocs, strappy numbers, flip flops or patent leather shoes - if you will need such things at the destination, pack them in the backpack and change when there.
If you are going to walk a lot, you probably want to seriously consider buying some proper walking shoes. Do not go cheap on these. The shoes should be solid, comfortable, give good foot support, breathable and hardwearing. My current pair are a very serious pair of Merrell shoes designed for urban walking.
It is important to have more than one pair, so a pair can be left to air while the other is worn, and the longevity of them, as well as your feet, will benefit.
Also consider a shoe tree to help shoes retain shape and air better.
Merrell Men's Chameleon Wrap GORE-TEX XCR (Brown/ Orange) - 7
Amazon Price: (as of 07/12/2009)
FootFitter Travel Shoe Tree For Men, Comfort Mens 6.5 - 8
Amazon Price: $6.95 (as of 07/12/2009)
Not breaking the bank
As you can see, the Merrell's I bought were not cheap. However, used shoes can be bought on eBay. If they are a brand like this, the used shoes are still a better bet than new shoes from a cheaper design.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Other Foot Care
More for your feet
Take time later to bathe your feet as soon as possible too. A simple wash tub of warm water is nice, a foot spa is better.
If you are in London, take a walk through Hyde Park, and bathe your feet at the Diana Memorial (as is the culture), it is very, very highly recommended.
Dr. Scholl's DR6624 Toe-Touch Foot Spa with Bubbles and Massage
Amazon Price: $21.99 (as of 07/12/2009)
Dr. Scholl's DR6622 Toe-Touch Foot Spa with Massage
Amazon Price: $26.99 (as of 07/12/2009)
Walking canes and hiking poles
Hammers HP1 Anti-Shock Hiking Pole with Compass & Thermometer
Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 07/12/2009)
Collapsible Aluminum Shock-Absorbing Hiking Pole - Walking Stick with Camera Mono-Pod (Colors may vary)
Amazon Price: $18.89 (as of 07/12/2009)
Get familiar with maps
You may not want to memorise or overly prescribe a route, but you should quickly check the surrounding streets and landmarks so you do not get lost. If you are in a bit city then the transport system should be your backup plan to return you to somewhere you know. Learn to use Google maps well.Map - taking the tips about the route above, it nearly always makes sense to have printed out a map for the area. Google Maps tends to be appropriate for this.
Getting a pre-printed map when necessary
In London, comprehensive cycling route maps for each borough are available for free from Cycle shops and council buildings - they are very usable street maps for walking too.
London Mini Street Atlas (A-Z Street Atlas)
Amazon Price: $9.07 (as of 07/12/2009)
Streetwise Manhattan Map - Laminated City Street Map of Manhattan, New York - Folding pocket size travel map with subway map, bus map
Amazon Price: $6.95 (as of 07/12/2009)
Streetwise New York, New Jersey Laminated Metropolitan Road Map
Amazon Price: $6.95 (as of 07/12/2009)
Gmaps Pedometer
It allows you to draw a route directly onto a Google map, giving you the length of the route in the units of your choice.
Get familiar with it, learn to make routes, get the measure of how far they are, make a rough estimate of how long it will take, check the contours so you know how much is uphill and then to print off the routes to help you later.
GPS Devices
Garmin eTrex Venture HC GPS Receiver
Amazon Price: $132.99 (as of 07/12/2009)
Garmin GPS 60CSx Handheld GPS Navigator
Amazon Price: $289.98 (as of 07/12/2009)
Garmin eTrex H Handheld GPS Navigator
Amazon Price: $81.00 (as of 07/12/2009)
Other Info on Walking in London
I do most of my walking in London - so some of this info will be London-centric.-
Routes and Advice for Walking In London
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Collected here are some of London's sights that can be best enjoyed on foot, and why enjoying them on foot is by far the best way. With tips on preparation so that you are not left high and dry and kept comfortable, as well as list of tour route maps...
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Road Crossing Safety - No need to Die Rushing
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I walk a great deal, and consider walking as part of my daily commute to be important to my health and happiness. Some only walk between stations - station to bus stop, station to home, station to work and so on. Either way, when you walk it is prett...
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All about Holland Park, West London, Uk
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Holland Park is one of London's more beautiful parks. It has a number of amazing features and is placed in one of the more pleasant parts of West London. It is situated near to some interesting places to eat and shop, and is accessible by two the Ce...
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Your thoughts/suggestions
What do you think? Have I missed anything or not given it enough coverage?
dannystaple wrote...
in reply to sulynsi Read my other lens - http://www.squidoo.com/walkinginlondon for tips on walking in London. Being in the city never stopped me.
Posted March 04, 2009
sulynsi wrote...
I used to walk every day 45 minutes each way to and from work. It is about the ONLY thing I miss about living in the city! Can't wait until the snow's gone.
Posted March 03, 2009
