5 Weeks and counting...

The total raised so far is £440 as I type. How cool is that?

Still need more though!

A big genuine thankyou to those of you that have donated though.

Its finally starting to come together, and I have pretty much everything I need, the bike will be serviced shortly, and new tyres, chain and sprockets and brakes will be fitted at the same time. So i'm not leaving much to chance!

Sleeping bag, roll mat, tent etc etc. All ready to go.

I have been pondering the clothing though. Its going to be hot in Spain (it will be early sept after all) and reasonable in France, but the mountains are going to be cold. And windy. And difficult to get up.

I did contact the BBC and ask them if they wanted to send a film crew with me.

Oddly enough they haven't replied...

Be prepared...

That's the Scouts Motto, or is it the cubs? I can never remember to tell the truth... Anyway, as motto's go its a pretty good one.

I'm having to do a lot of preparation and thinking at the mo, not difficult stuff to be fair, just need to make sure I get it right.

I have already bought the ferry ticket so that's a start. Trouble is the ferry leaves at 8am. So I have to be there for 7am. Portsmouth is 168 miles away. That's going to mean leaving at midnight. (Although I am working till midnight.... err... i'll figure something out)

So I should be nice and tired when I arrive. Luckily the ferry takes 6 hours so hopefully I should be able to get some sleep. Then there is going to be a lot more riding before finding a campsite.
If I find a campsite.
I'll probably end up fast asleep by the bins at a French petrol station.

Aaah... the glamour of the open road...