Albeit slowly, things are starting to come together. That most important item for cycling, the bicycle, has now been ordered. After much umming and ahhing I have decided to go through Big Maggies and purchase a Van Nicholas Pioneer Rohloff. This is a fully titanium touring bicycle, weighing in at an impressive 11.5kg’s. It’s in the process of being made and should be down in a couple more weeks.
When it comes to camping, it’s considered quite important to take a tent with you. To this end I have also put an order in for a tent – a Hilleberg Nallo GT 2 – it’s a serious bit of kit, lightweight but durable and it packs down into a nice compact size – it should be down with me in a few days.
A couple of other things that I have invested in – firstly a cycle computer/GPS – I went for a top-of-the-range Garmin Edge 800 with Europe City Navigator maps – this should see me safely working my way through Europe without getting (too) lost. Secondly, I am now the proud owner of a Power Monkey solar charger. This is a solar panel connected to a lithium ion battery that should let me charge my electronic bits & pieces with relative ease.
I’m looking around for good deals at the moment for other bits and pieces, and am finding out that even when buying online it really does pay off to ask for discounts – the difference between the price of goods when you take off the VAT (20%) and then apply a discount 15% on top is really something and means that staying within my budget is actually a realistic possibility!
The main items left to buy now are mostly camping supplies – sleeping bag, multi-fuel stove, camping-kitchen set and sleeping mat. On the bike side of things, it’s just the panniers, pedals and maybe a new seat.
Training has also started – I have invested in a Turbo Trainer so that I can hook my bike up and train at home when it’s dark/wet outside. Cycling whilst watching the football is, admittedly, an interesting experience! I’m also venturing back out on the roads. It’s pretty cold, but feels great to be back on tarmac in anticipation of the trip.
So that’s where I stand at the moment – things are moving forward and about time bearing in mind that it’s only a couple of months until I’m off. I’ll post more when I have more to tell you, as well as some pictures of the bike as and when it’s landed in Jersey.
Adam
