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Published: July 13th 2007
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9th July: A swift trip to the airport, with all parties arriving on time! Family and friends (thanks guys) came to farewell,with only a few tears shed. 'Random' spot searches were performed with Fi being cleared of any drug contamination and me getting a good rub down before narrowly missing out on a full cavity search thanks to Macca's inappropriate comments. Singapore allowed time for a quick Tiger or two out in the 'fresh' air of Changi, and a quick Whopper to settle the stomach before the long haul. Some shafty manouvering on my part saw us with 5 seats between us, keeping Fi and Macca well seperated, and beds almost as comfy as those afforded to our fellow travelers up in business class.
10th July: London meant saying goodbye to Fi, with more tears, and promises of phone calls every day. Well and truly knackered it was fantastic to be met by Toff and Hsien, clutching coffees and looking almost as ragid as Mac and I after having got up at 0330hrs to bus it in to Heathrow (not to mention Toff flying in from Ireland just the day before!!) Despite lack of sleep it was only a
short walk to Walton's where we met our steeds - the mighty Koga's! Two beautiful Koga Miyata Signutures resplendent with racks, rohloff and roobars. Toff was incredibly patient as for two hours we refined the set-up and discussed the merits of massaging our Brooks leather saddles each night before bed. Locks were bought then our first English pub lunch was had at the King's Arms before Mac hit the sack and Hsien, Toff and I continued on to the 'Cafe' of Good Hope to catch up with some great friends of Hsien's and sample a few more of the local ales.
11th July: Early rise, with a brisk walk to the railway station to head into London for Mac to be oriented to the ways of English relief teaching, and for Toff and I to do some sight seeing. Unfortunately at £44 per ticket before 1000hrs (£20 after that!), Mac was forced to set off alone, and as Toff and I watched Macca try first one exit turnstyle, then the next, before eventually settling on an entry one, we wondered if we'd ever see him again. . . Toff and I spent the extra time we had to share
a breakfast of chocmilk and cookies, and take a wander thru the Oxford before returning to the train station, and heading in to London. Arriving at noon (ETA for Macca) we were not surprised to find him not there, and after a quick phone call we re-arranged to meet an hour later. Toff and I headed off with a map and little idea, and spent the next hour searching out local bike and camping stores, before returning to McDonalds (the obvious rendezvous point) to await Macca . . .
an hour and a half later . . . Bike shoes were bought, lunch was had, bank accounts opened, and then back on the train to Paddington, with a 20minute wait affording us plenty of time to sample a quick ale at the nearest pub before boarding the train for Oxford and finding it extremely amusing that the aircon was busted and Macca was making swimming pools in his belly button. On the bikes, a few quiet beers, talk of friends no longer with us (Hsien had by now left for Croatia), and it was off to bed for all.
12th July: Deciding it was time to get down
to business Mac and I left Toff sleeping and spent the day cycling from one bike shop to the other, visiting camp stores and loading up several panniers of goods from Sainsbury's before joining up with Toff for an ale, some dinner, and a few more quiet ones with Bob (Hawke).
13th July: Met Ramone, a college neighbour of Hsien's last night who is a keen golfer, and so this morning Mac set off for one last round! Having abandoned the GPS idea in favour of maps I spent the morning on Google Maps sorting out a route (
Oxford to Göteborg here) and investigating campsites between here and Romsey. After calling Iris who promises to have the beer chilled when we arrive on Sunday, the panniers were packed, and last adjustments made to the bikes. Unfortunately this took longer than planned, and we missed heading into town for a few celebratory drinks with some of Hsien's friends we'd met along the way. Congratulations Lis!
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Tim Darby
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Amazing
Mac and Ben, for some reason it still amazes me that you have actually got it together,bikes and all. Well done. I look forward to hearing the further cycling adventures of Big Ben and Last Minute Macka.Good luck. C.U. Tim P.S. Went out for a big ride in the hills and something wierd happened...I didnt fall off. Must not be trying hard enough maybe.