Fontainebleau

We had a yarn with the Belgian lads last night and got pointed towards a climbing area in the west of the forest.  I don't think they understand how we had no map of the area, a guidebook or any firm idea of where we were heading next... We're internationally confusing!

Their English was outstanding and their ability to hold a conversation in a foreign tongue embarrassingly good.  In return we provided bad jokes! It really must run in Niven blood...

We had a lazy morning after a freezing cold night and got underway after 10.  A quick stop in town for supplies and we were off towards the boulders.  With no map and part-remembered directions we surprisingly got there without a problem! I was pretty excited to be at the Mecca of bouldering in Europe!

Happy after my first problem at Font

I can't remember the name of the area but it's apparently famous and sounds like 'fenchund and the artistes' if anyone fancies some research...

We climbed and gawped for a few hours in the sun then dozed on a comfy rock, before heading back to town for retail therapy.

I couldn't finish it :(

Fontainebleau town is great, clean and bustling. It was a pity we couldn't spend some time there as tourists and look inside the castle. 

The closest we got to the chateau!

I have to say i was pretty frustrated bouldering without a crashpad and a guidebook. However it made me even more keen to return, so if anyone would like to come please get on touch!

Back to the bivvy site for dinner before it got dark. Our plan tomorrow is to head for Nemours and the Loire valley to the south. With luck this weather will hold all the way!

Ruff & Jemimah

Mini-Tour du Lake District

The time came that I had a couple of days off.  Thoughts were thought, decisions decided and reneged on, and a full-morning lie-in was had.  And Lo!  I found myself on the bicycle hereby known as 'Sally' trundling down the drive of the Castle (my most recent abode).  We were part loaded with panniers on the back and a bag on the handlebars.  Our aim was threefold;

1. Test how Sally coped with a lump like me and some baggage
2. Assess my ability to keep touring pace
3. Purchase a set of front panniers from Ghyllside Cycles in Ambleside.

The day was just right, with warm sun (but not too warm), a cooling breeze (but not too cool) and no pressure (except that in the tires).  As we wound through the rolling countryside surrounding Cockermouth, I realised it had been a long time since I had lifted my head and really took in what was around me.  Moving out of the National Park has shown me just how beautiful it is.  Being able to gaze upon the Northern Fells from a country lane felt like I was getting a wider view than possible before.

Looking towards Skiddaw

All feelings of grandeur were diminished soon after, as I realised a wrong turn had been taken and added about 3 miles before we'd even started properly!  We found the correct road and enjoyed almost traffic-free rolling most of the way towards Keswick.

I became aware of dropping energy levels as we passed through the busy town centre and I resolved to have a food stop soon.  However my need for food conflicted with my usual bullet-headed compulsion to go just-a-bit-farther.  A mile of 13% uphill and a few more of steep undulations found me in a layby pleasant enough to dismount and have a chew.

Giving the UK2Africa jersey a run out

The continuing 13 miles to Ambleside were without incident, some gentle but long climbs and an increase in traffic levels the only discussion points.

So!  Sally and myself had arrived on our inaugural tour.  Now it was time to refuel.  We gathered a gang and tucked into a carvery in Windermere.

Time off in Ambleside

Next morning I visited the cycle shop.  Unfortunately they didn't have the panniers I wanted so I'll have to return next week.  Still, they're a great shop so call in if you're ever about (http://www.ghyllside.co.uk/).

The return journey to the castle was straightforward and gave me plenty of time to practice my camerawork while pedalling...

Heading back past Skiddaw

The path less travelled?

Rollercoaster road

From the Fells to the Sea

Mini-Tour complete!

And the aims?  Sally coped well with the weight, even feeling more settled when loaded and I managed to keep within the pace relatively well.  No panniers yet though!

We're still collecting money for Alzheimer Scotland via JustGiving.

See www.justgiving.com/uk2africa2013 for how you can donate too.

John

The Next Step

We are now less than 5 months away from setting off.  It's starting to feel more real now, probably because there is nothing to distract us.  After 3 years of effort, boredom, annoyance and hard work we have both finished our Degrees!

The title of this post refers to us taking the next step in life by leaving full-time education, but also in preparing for the expedition.  I start full-time work on Monday 29th April and Ross starts soon after.  I'm working as a Watersports Instructor on Derwentwater and Ross is a climbing/multi-activity instructor in Scotland for the summer.  Hopefully we'll earn enough to make the trip quite comfortable!

Over the last 2 months I've not been out training much due to having lots of essays and a dissertation to write.  I think I've typed 20-30,000 words in the last 8 weeks.  That might not be much compared to someone on an English or History course but it will do me fine thanks!  Ross has been out fairly regularly in Liverpool on his shiny new bike, and seems to be enjoying the challenge.  Our JustGiving page hasn't had much traffic in the last while, probably because we have been so busy.  If you can spare a few pounds we would appreciate any donations towards Alzheimer Scotland, as it's such a good cause.

Ross about to start an evening training ride (Photo thanks to Chris Dean)

I still haven't got a proper bike yet, but I managed to borrow one (thanks Remy!) for 2 days of training with Ross here in the Lakes.  We did a 30 mile loop of Windermere and followed that with a hill-climb session, covering 13 miles and going up to the Kirkstone Pass at 468 metres.  The descent was memorable as we flew down a road called 'The Struggle' with a gradient of 1 in 4, which is extremely steep!  The pass is the highest in the Lake District open to motor traffic also.

Thankfully, since I handed in my Dissertation I've managed to get away from the computer a while and had some fun.  I ended up doing something called Ghyll Scrambling, which involves finding a large stream/small river and walking, climbing and swimming up it.  We found some pools to jump into, which is actually safer than you might think!

I didn't hit the tree and the water was deep, but icy!

So!  School's out and summer is here.  I can't wait to start work, go climbing in sun, and cycle on bright, clear mornings.  IT WILL BE SUNNY ALL SUMMER.  You heard it here first...  Just no more snow please!

Climbing isn't fun when you can't feel your fingers or toes!

I'm going to have a look at a bike this weekend so hopefully I'll have one by next week.  Then training can really start!  We're still looking for information about good routes and places to stay throughout France, Spain and Morocco so if anyone has any information please contact us.

Cheerio!

John

Counting Plants and Square Eyes

Hi everyone,

We've had a busy couple of weeks with social commitments and travelling organised around university work and lectures.  I've spent so much time staring at a computer screen that I'm getting square eyes (just like Mum said I would!).  The most annoying part of having deadlines is that I've missed getting out and enjoying the winter conditions here in the Lake District.

I had a chance to get out on Friday morning but I was shattered after working on an assignment late the previous night.  I have to apologise to Francis for crying off at late notice, so if you read this, sorry!  Francis runs a great company called Adventure Today - if you are looking for a friendly, relaxed day in the hills or rivers give him a shout!

This weekend Ross arrived up with a soil pH testing kit, a guide to British Upland Plants, a results table and a slightly haunted look on his face.  This could only mean one thing - Dissertation data collection!  He is writing a 10,000 word project comparing the vegetation on a glacier in Switzerland to that found in a Lake District valley.  Gripping Stuff...

Saturday morning saw us heading off to Haweswater, arriving at the study site in Blea Water around 1130.  Conditions weren't perfect, with the ground still too frozen to collect soil samples everywhere Ross wanted to.  Once we got into the routine of the study time passed quickly and we managed to enjoy ourselves.  It was great to be out in the hills again after 7 days inside working.



Haweswater

Counting plants is difficult here!

A blurry Blea Water (camera didn't like the cold)

A positive point of being on the internet for days on end was that I found or was sent some really interesting blogs.  The Adventure Cycling Guide gets into the meat of preparing for a cycle tour, with lots of tips about what to bring and what bike to get.  I found a few of these really detailed sites which are really useful but don't offer much in the way of inspiration.  If anything they tend to put me off by talking about buying things I don't have!

Much more welcome are blogs like Ness Knight's which focus more on the journey than equipment.  It's great to hear about people doing similar things as it gives a little confidence boost;  'if they can do it, so can we!'  Anyone getting outside and doing something a bit out of the ordinary gives me a flash of inspiration.  Cue a solo 24hr run around Snowdonia, Donegal's hardest climb, Mont Blanc Ultra Marathon and the Jungfrau Marathon.  I've become a bit running-mad lately!  Can't forget the Coniston Triathlon.  A possibility this year?

Since we started publicising the expedition more, information and pointers have arrived from all directions.  Thank you to everyone who has read the blog, sent us a link to a website or just wished us luck.  It helps massively and it's fantastic to find so many people interested in our mad, silly idea!

All comments are welcome, be it a good luck message, a nice campsite in Spain or a friend in Morocco.  How about donating to a good cause?  Our JustGiving page is set up to send donations directly to Alzheimer Scotland.  They do fantastic work such as trying to provide a Dementia Nurse in each local authority area in Scotland.

Thanks for reading,
John

Reality Has Hit (Kit List)

"Sure, it'll be grand.....We wont need that much kit!!"

With the route begining to take shape I thought about what kit I might need to buy for the trip. As a keen outdoor enthusiast I thought we would be sorted and ready to roll away in our new bikes. However, I think I may have been wrong?!? After doing quite a bit of research into the equipment needed for such a trip I have realised that in reality I need to start saving my pennies. So what do we need?

Bicycle Accessories

Front & Rear Panniers.
Handlebar Bag.
Seat Bag.
Water Bottles & Cage (s).
On board computer.
Front & Rear Lights.
Bike Lock.
Some Sexy Bike Mojo!

Camping Equipment

One Man Tent.
Sleeping Bag.
Therma Rest.
Cooking Stove.
Spork.
Spare Gas.
Lighter.

Clothes to Cycle In

Helmet.
2-3 Cycling Tops.
1-2 Cycling Shorts.
1 Cycling Tights.
Cycling shoes.
Waterproof Jacket.
Sunglasses.
Hat/Buff.

Tourist Clothes

Bumbag.
Linnen Trousers.
Socks 'n' Sandals.
Cotten Tee's.
Tillley Hat.

Repair Kit

Multi Tool.
Duct Tape.
Pump.
Spare Tubes (2-3)
Brake Pads.
WD-40 (Lifesaver).
Bike Multi Tool.
Chain Tool & Spare Links.

Personal Kit

Mobile Phone & Charger (Mains/ Solar).
Ipod.
Watch.
Head Torch.
USB Memory Pen.
Camera.
Maps.
Personal Books.
Notepad & Pen.
Toiletries.
Sun Cream.
Bald Man Sun Cream.
First Aid Kit.

Key: Already Own/Purchased.

So yeah.... we have a fair bit to go with the amount of equipment that we are going to need for this trip and I'm sure the list will only get longer. If you know of anything that we have missed out then please do let us know by posting a comment on the blog.

Thanks for reading folks,

Ross & John.

Knuckling Down

This weekend John & I spent the weekend with Demi in Aberdeen for a welcome break from University work to watch Scotland Vs. Tonga. Needless to say, yes, Scotland got beat but we won't dwell on that.

As this was myself and John's first time together since the trip was properly finalised we found the time to have a quick photo shoot with our new tops on, supplied by Alzheimer Scotland.

Demi looking impressed with John's idea of stopping off for some shopping time in Madrid.

 

The reality of planning the trip is...

 

 

It's a real head-scratcher!  We have maps of France, Spain and Morocco and it's just a matter of picking a route that connects it all together.  We run into problems when we add in places we want to visit; Toulouse, the Pyrenees, Madrid, Valencia and maybe others.

 

We got as far as Calais in this session.  Hopefully things will speed up as we get more practise!

 

Thanks to Alzheimer Scotland for providing the t-shirts, they will be useful in raising awareness for the cause.  Remember, you can donate to the charity through our JustGiving page.

 

If anyone has any tips, hints or suggestions about planning this sort of trip, please get in contact using the comment box below.

 

JustGiving

Hi folks,

Just a short message to let you know our JustGiving page is up and running - it's at

http://www.justgiving.com/UK2Africa2013

The expedition will be paid for entirely out of our own pockets, however we hope to raise some money for Alzheimer Scotland along the way.

The best way to do this seems to be a JustGiving page.  This site sends all donations directly to the charity. It also allows everyone to see what the charity stands for, how much money has been raised, and how it will be used.

Supporting those with dementia and their carers is important to both Ross and myself. Unfortuantely Ross' Grandma spent her last few years suffering with Alzheimers so if you feel like you could help, please give what you can.  It will make a real difference.

If you have any questions or comments, please get in contact either on this page or the JustGiving link above.

Thanks for reading.
John and Ross

"Let's go live in London next summer..."



That's me, John Niven.  On the 28th June 2012 I didn't agree to cycle from the UK to Marrakesh.

 

This is Ross.  On the above date he suggested we both go and live in London the following summer, to get used to not being students any more.  Over the next 10 minutes the idea changed from living in London to Madrid, China, Germany and finally to cycling to Africa.

I suppose you could say that good things happen in unexpected ways.  Eric Newby began his short walk in the Hindu Kush on receipt of a telegram from a friend, leaving his job in the London fashion industry to travel overland to Afghanistan in the 1920s.  Walter Bonatti began mountaineering when a stranger found himself without someone to hold his rope.  Harry Potter found out he was a wizard from a half-giant bursting into his holiday cottege.

I suggested cycling to Africa thinking that Ross would tell me I was being stupid and to get a grip.  However I underestimated how much he wanted to be Peter Pan and never grow up.  I nearly choked on my smugness when he agreed.  Even worse, he sounded positively enthusiastic about the idea!  After a couple of days, we both agreed to go for it.  After setting up and publishing our first blog post there's no backing out!

The aim of the trip is to see something of the world, and remind ourselves that life does go on after leaving education!  The general idea is to cross the channel from Dover, head through France and cross the Pyrenees into Spain.  A stop in Barcelona would be nice, before heading on to Gibraltar to cross the Mediterranean Sea at its narrowest point.  From landfall in North Africa we will head for Marrakesh.  After that, who knows?

Click to see a Google Map trace of the route. This gives a very rough idea of the route, we are currently refining it.

The trip will be funded entirely by ourselves, but we will be setting up a JustGiving page in aid of Alzheimer Scotland.  We'll post the link when it's sorted.

A bit about us;
John Niven is 22 and from Strabane in Northern Ireland.  He is at the University of Cumbria on the final year of the Outdoor Studies (Environment) course, and lives in Ambleside, Cumbria.  Travelling around rock climbing, cycling and running is what he does in his spare time.  He does not have a girlfriend.

Ross is 21 and lives in Liverpool, studying Outdoor Education and Environmental Education at Liverpool John Moores University.  He has a girlfriend but cannot brush his hair.  However, he does enjoy wearing a gilet, driving fast boats, and organising 'things'.

 

We will be keeping this blog updated with our planning/organising progress and with news on the trip itself.