getting in gear!

Gutentag,

As usual it seems as if it has been a while since I wrote anything on here. This probably reflects my thoughts towards preparing for the trip - I have been drawing up kit lists, ordering additional bits and continuing with my daily cycle to work - but it seems a while since I did any 'proper' training (i.e. 40+ miles). Therefore I'm going to take advantage of the bank holiday weekend and get some extended riding done.

On the kit front I have also ordered a new lightweight roll mat from alpkit (wee airic), which I am very impressed with, and a merino polo shirt from howies which I intend to wear for the bulk of the trip. Alpkit sleeping bags should be available mid May so that will be the next bit to get.

I often find myself thinking whether I am up to this journey at all, however I feel that this is probably a fairly natural thing to ponder when completing this type of expedition. In fact it's often the most simple of life's little events that provide me with a much needed boost, such as this chap I saw pottering along on top of his penny farthing in Hyde park today. A few crazed people have completed LEJOG on a penny farthing, which fills me with hope for my trip.

To bed now.

Jimbi

So where are we at?

Well I've been home at my parents for well over a week now, taking some time out to relax and celebrate my birthday. However I've also used this time to finally get my arse in gear and sort out the rest of my LEJOG bits. I now have the maps finalised, and have found potential campsites for each night. It would still be nice to wild camp for a few nights, but at least if it goes tits up I have campsites to hand.

Looking at my proposed mileage for each day (average of about 68 miles) I'm pretty sure I'll be able to cover the distance but some of the longer days have me a little worried. Day 8 (Kirkby Lonsdale to Gretna) in particular is my longest day at 92 miles! This, I suspect, will be a rather long and tiresome day. I have however stepped up my training. Up until now the furthest I'd covered during a training session was about 20-25 miles, with my week off I have managed to complete a ride of 44 miles (Ely loop) and 48 miles (Wyton loop), and so should be well on the way to bringing my fitness levels up to where they should be.

On the equipment front I have just purchased my pannier rack which shall carry the bulk of my gear. This was an interesting experience in itself as I made the mistake of buying a rack without trying it first, only to find that my disc brakes weren't going to cooperate, and instead sat right in between the rack and the fixing point on the frame! Chaps at the bike shop were very helpful (probably thought I was a prat for not trying before I bought though) and exchanged the rack for a slightly more expensive one that seemed to do the job. (FYI "topeak disc tourer" 36 quid).

My sister got me the tarp I was after for my birthday, which weighs only 650g and will act as my house for the trip. After toying about with it in the garden for an afternoon I think I've designed a respectable shelter that should be able to accommodate me (see pics).

I have also ordered my bivvy bag (alpkit.com), which should be an interesting experience!

So I'm getting there slowly but surely and aim to do a dry run (!) with all my gear in May/June at some point to test it all and get a feel for carrying it all on the bike.

Oh, before I forget, if you know someone that would be willing to lend me a set of panniers for this trip I would greatly appreciate it, just drop me a line.

James