2017 Itinerary

Here is my proposed route itinerary which I will endeavour to continually update as it outlines where I hope to be and what I expect to be encountering along the way in terms of distance, profile & touristic hot spots, for the next couple of months or so. Do be aware however, that even I am somewhat skeptical about the time line, given that I will be riding according to the weather, how much I am or am not enjoying the attractions, the hospitality or otherwise of a town, my fitness / fatigue levels and so on....  

It's very different to what I had originally envisaged and had plotted out for myself, which had my going North through Portugal, then through the Spanish Pyrenees, into France, and ultimately finishing up in Berlin, but there's always next year. 

The "holiday" can wait, first things first - Let's see what making a permanent move to Europe might entail.....

Loaded look....

In preparation for what I am proposing to do, I decided to do a fully loaded 80KM trek around the suburbs of Melbourne today. It's about what I expect, I'll be doing daily through Europe though admittedly it was perhaps a tad flatter than what I'm likely to encounter....

I just wanted a bit of confirmation that I had the weight evenly distributed and to see how the Troll handled. Sure I'll probably refine how & where I've packed things during the course of my ride, in terms of accessibility to things, but otherwise I think I've got it right. 

So what did I pack and how much does it all weigh, I hear you ask, well......

Pannier One

The weight of which was some 5.5 kilograms and comprised of 

• Asus Laptop Computer
• Exped Sleep Mat
• Mont Zodiac 700 Sleeping Bag

Pannier Two

The weight of which was some 6.5 kilograms and contained

• My SLR Camera & Two Lenses
• A pair of jeans
• A Windcheater
• A second Summer cycling jersey
• A second set of bib knicks
• A couple of t-shirts
• Several pairs of socks & jocks

Essentially from a clothing perspective, I've got sufficient casual gear that I don't have to go site seeing in my lycra gear. 

Cafes, pubs and casual restaurants I'm fine, anything more and I suspect a clothes shopping expedition will be required. 

Handle Bar Bag

The weight of which was less than two kilos because it only comprised of

• My wallet
• My phone
• My drugs 
• My Canon Powershot camera

Rack Pack Bag

I ran out of time, to load & fit this bag to my bike properly before I went for my test ride.... but am proposing to fill this with my "need to be able to access with ease items" in the event the weather starts to get a bit cold / wet midway through my ride. The weight comes in at around 8 kilograms, which isn't bad considering that it comprises of:

• Exped Venus II Tent
• Exped Tent Ground Sheet
• A Gore - Rain Jacket
• A Gore - Winter Jersey
• A pair of Gore - Rain Pants
• A pair of Ground Effect "Daddy Long Legs' tights
• A set of Winter cycling gloves
• A thermal long sleeved shirt
• Some thermal pants
• My hiking boots

So all up, I'm carrying somewhere in the vicinity of 22 - 24 kilograms of "stuff".

I mean, as someone who used to think riding a carbon road bike, as quickly & efficiently as was possible was the way to go, this feels like I've got the world on my shoulders...  Now it may of-course not be the way other's would do it, and I may be carrying more than is actually required, but we'll soon find out. 

In the meantime, I do have to be thankful that a couple of friends reminded me there's no need to pack the kitchen sink, as otherwise I suspect it would be a heavier load still. 

Now as I say, I suspect things will get moved around somewhat as I try to what works best but who knows. 

This is all very much trail and error after all......

As for today's ride, well it went OK and as a result, I think everything is on track. I just can't wait now till the adventure begins. 

A little bit of ouch.....

It's funny, whilst I've done slightly more than 4000 kilometres so far this year, and in so doing fulfilled my goal of doing 150 per week, it is amazing how it feels when one rides 80 odd kilometres on two or three days in succession, as I've done this week and is something that'll just have to get used to once I arrive in Spain, of course..... I mean sure I've done it before, this time it's on a fully loaded Troll and hopefully if experience is anything to go by, then it'll only take a few days to get into the routine. Now in the meantime, can someone please pass me the Denocrub and / or recommend a good physio, my legs are a little tired! 😊 😊 😊

The excitement builds

It would seem, having recently wandered out of town for a bit to catch up with friends, that there's something to be said for living in a rural environment. A slower pace of life, a greater sense of community and some wonderful scenery to boot, assuming you choose wisely and according to your preferences / requirements of course.

I mean sure there's bound to be some negatives, but I'm coming to understand why some people are tempted, well here in Australia at least, to explore the idea of undergoing a seachange / treechange experience. A situation which was exacerbated for me when I was out & about riding in the outer burbs of Melbourne yesterday.

The sun was shining, though the temperature gauge was struggling to reach double figures and yet the level of animosity / anxiety on the roads, bike paths and in the cafe was frightening. I got home and immediately got on the Internet to look at flight options and to let a few colleagues know I was heading over.

Seriously I don't care how bad the inclines are in the Alps or Pyrenees, dealing with them has got to be substantially easier than:

• Australian motorists;
• Dog walkers who can't / don't control their animals;
• Mobile phone obsessed twits;
• Ninja cyclists & joggers