(D-34) Preparation and Planning

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Well only 34 days to go before we set off on our trip. Obviously things are hectic at the moment as we finalise things but at least we can now see light at the end of the tunnel - at long last. Although this trip has been our dream for the last 5 years the reality of what we are about to embark on has only really hit us over the last few months. People have asked us if we are looking forward to our holiday! This trip however is not really a holiday. Not knowing where you are going to sleep each night cannot exactly be classed as a normal holiday. Likewise, being on the road for over a year will be both a physical and mental challenge. Nevertheless we are both up for the challenges that lay ahead and can’t wait to get started.

So far the preparations for the trip are going well. I recently completed a 10 day cycle maintenance course run by Alf and Teresa Webb at the Bike Inn in Lincolnshire (brilliant course by the way) and now feel confident in tackling any mechanical problems we may face on route. We have now bought all the kit we think we will need and completed a number of loading trials to ensure we can get it all in the panniers and on the bikes. The bike themselves are Thorn Raven Tours, specialist touring bikes purchased from St John Street Cycles in Bridgewater, Somerset. Both bikes are equipped with ‘Rohloff’ internal gear hubs which are supposed to be ultra reliable and ideally suited for the type of trip we are embarking on. Joy has had her bike for a couple of years now and after a couple of cycle tours in Europe is very pleased with it. In order to cut down on the number of spare parts we will need to carry I recently bought a Raven Tour with similar spec to Joy’s. Before we leave we will publish a full kit list which may be useful for those planning a similar trip.

Not all the preparation and planning has been plain sailing. We haven’t managed to get out on the bikes as much as we would have liked to which no doubt we will pay the price for during the first week of the trip. That said, we did complete a 45 mile ride, quite comfortably, last week - admittedly without any kit. Surprisingly we had a few problems sorting out travel insurance. Although it is fairly easy to get a 12 month policy if you go for more than 12 months then things start getting a bit trickier. Many insurance companies also require you to have a return air ticket from the UK. In the end we joined the British Mountaineering Council and took out extended travel insurance with them.

With our kit packed and the bikes serviced our main effort for the next month will be to sort the house out and say our goodbyes to our friends and family.

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Comments

[Jon Symon]

Good Luck!
Steve and Joy, A short note to wish you much luck. I am very sorry I did not get to see you prior to your departure, but as Steve Knows my admin is arse and the military were conspiring against me - I only got back late afternoon on the day of your bbq. Anyhow, I will endeavour to catch your updates as you weave your way across Europe and into Asia. I know you will enjoy every minute - especially the post cycling well deserved beer at the end of the day! Finally, if there is anything you need then pse just email - I am sure you will have all things covered but if something comes up then just email me. As the Irish saying goes 'may the the sun shine on your face and the wind be at your backs' and have a great time. Regards Jon

[Daff]

Hope you guys are saddle fit
all the very best from the Davenports