Final Push

Hi All,

It's been a busy, busy, busy summer so far for John and I. John has been spending the majority of his time working on the water in the Lake District and loving it. I am still out west working on a beautiful island known as Ru'a Fiola where we teach kids some basic survival skills. 

Another amazing sunset I witnessed from the island. 

I took a bit of time off work earlier this month to allow me to attend my graduation and summer camp with 2 Highlanders ACF. Graduation was fantastic but opened my eyes to the fact that that is it, the start of the real world (well after I have ventured off to Africa). 

John managed to come down to Liverpool the evening before grad where we both discussed out excitement to just get on with it.

Preparation for the trip is still on going. John's bike is looking well and almost ready to hit the road-his training is going well and tan is coming along nicely. My bike is almost ready to go, training is unfortunately non excitant and my tan is awesome. 

 John's bike looking ready for take off. 

Thanks for reading folks. As we said this blog will be updated far more when we actually leave the UK. 

Please keep donating what you can on our just giving page. 

Cheers,

R&J

 

News Update

We have both started full-time work now so our preparations have changed levels.  Ross and Demi had some swanky cycling jerseys made, which will hopefully motivate us to train!

Our new cycling jersey

I finally picked up a bike in Edinburgh thanks to Winsome, and have been spending my free time bringing it back into top condition.  It's a Dawes Galaxy, which were the top bikes in touring for many years.  Recently the trend has been moving towards off-road capable bikes but for our plans the Dawes is perfect.

Dull times; cleaning, polishing and waterproofing a leather saddle

All it needed were new tires and inner tubes and a good clean, so I stripped it down to the bearings and built it back up with new grease and adjustments.  It was good to have a project for the evenings to take my mind off work and to mark the change from the last 3 years of reading and typing.  I have a better idea of how the bike works now too!  Hopefully that means I'll be able to fix most things on the road.

I managed to get out for a super-quick ride before the downpour started.  It's a fantastic bike, not twitchy and speedy like a racer but not as 'stuck in the mud' as a mountain bike.  It just wanted to get moving and keep going!  I'm very excited to take it on a longer run.

The nearly-finished product!

There are still a few things to do, like re-tape the handlebars and get a set of front racks and panniers.  For now the bike is just right, so I'll be cycling the 20 miles to and from work from now on...  As long as it doesn't rain!

Now that I've got a bike and I'm earning some money it feels like everything is coming together.  It's a great feeling, and there's still 3 or 4 months left before we leave!  I don't think I've ever felt as prepared for a trip this early.  We're on the crest of the wave!

P.S.

OBLIGATORY JUSTGIVING CHARITY LINK

http://www.justgiving.com/uk2africa2013

Let's go to work folks.

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

Dr. Pressure

Hi Everyone,

Well both John & I are still under P with the dreaded Dissertation. As soon as its done we will be able to get on with the planning.

Our justgiving page has became dormant at the moment and threatening to close our page within the next week.

If you want to help us out by donating some money to the page then please do so at:

http://www.justgiving.com/UK2Africa2013

Thanks Everyone,

R&J

Happy New Year!

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick post to say thanks for the continued support throughout the initial stages of planning & to share my news that I am sadly selling my mountain bike, a Giant 29er, to help fund the trip.

The bike is currently on ebay and getting a lot of views, check it out at : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mens-Giant-29er-Mountain-Bike-/221176263811?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item337f21f483

Both myself & John are currently under the hectic pressures of final year so putting the planning aspect of the trip on hold until mid Feb but we will be straight back into it ASAP.

Remember you can still donate on our JustGiving page.

Thanks again,

R&J

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.