Wander Lost

Blog

  • Day 4: Vinyards to Mountains

    Distance: 340km, Start: Bordeaux, France, End: Pamplona, Spain

    Yesterday after leaving the ferry I forgot the bike maintenance checks so last night I wrote a check list. The people looking through the dining area window seemed impressed as they watched me going through the list, checking fluids, adjusting chain, checking tyres… They did not seem so impressed when the bike promptly fell over when I tried too drive away. Note to myself.. add “remove disk lock” to my list. Also remember not to panic if engine fails to start after dropping the bike… it is probably still in gear. In case anyone missed my embarrassment I accidentally pressed the horn as I lifted the bike.

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  • Day 3: A big push South through France

    Distance: 640km, Start: Caens, France, End: Bordeaux, France.
    I had a massive push today to get through France and down to the warmer weather.

    A big thank you to all the people I met today on the boat and at service areas who stopped to chat and wish me luck.

    It was all on motorways today and although the rain stayed away, there was enough of a drissle to make me stop and put on waterproofs. I was definitely ready to stop when I arrived in Bordeaux and made straight for the first hotel. It is VERY basic but the room is clean.
    I always planned to do a long day today, I have ridden and driven through France lots of times before so I do not want to waste time. I plan to cross into Spain tomorrow when i will slow down and start avoiding motorways when I can.

  • Day 2: Isle of Wight and ferry to France

    Distance: 40km, Start Southampton, end Porstmouth.
    I had a great day today with Amy and the boys. We took the ferry from Southampton to the Isle of Wight and back.

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    This afternoon we went to my daughter Gemmas house and had a great time with my grandson Timothy in the garden.

    I am now on the ferry from Portsmouth to Caen in France. Very tired.

  • Day 1: The Journey Begins

    Start: West Wales, End: Southampton, Distance: 240 miles. One refuel: £17.41

    After a year of planning I am finally on my way to Cape Town. The journey was mostly along motorways and the weather was kind to me with no rain. The bike was a little twitchy at the front end at low speeds but felt really good at high speeds. Totally the opposite of the unloaded bike. The shift in the centre of gravity from high in the middle to lower and further back is the cause. This evening i went to visit my old Scout group the 14th Eastleigh. It was great to see faces I have not seen for many years and to explain about the trip to the Cubs.

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  • Draiglas Explorer Scouts

    One of the objectives I have set myself is to meet with as many Scouts as I can along the way.  It is only fitting that first on the list is my local Explorer Scout unit here in Teifi district, Ceredigion

    I have heard from several Scouts in Africa now including The Gambia, Morocco and Ghana. I hope to meet them all.

  • 24 Hours to Go

    Final day at home so I have been packing and repacking the bike.
    I have finally found a configuration that works and is as balanced as I can make it.

    The spare tyres were a big problem and at one stage I decided to leave them
    behind.  But I eventuality decided it was worth the hassle for a week or two through Europe. I will probably change them in Southern Morocco.

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  • Servicing the Bike

    My old school mate Pete has been in West Wales this weekend. As well as catching up and socialising, he helped me service the bike and have some tips on removing tyres etc.
    We changed oil and brake fluids, new brake pads on the back, cleaned the brake calipers, removed the rear wheel to clean the chain and guides, removed and replaced the rear tyre, Removed and replaced the tank, put on a new aluminium sump guard to replace the standard plastic one, new spark plug, new K&N washable air filter, new oil filter and gasket.
    As well as doing work that was needed, we did some jobs i am likely to have to do on the road. This means I have more confidence but also means I have the tools I will need. Pete has lent me his tyre levers and a spanner I had pretty much everything needed except a large Allen key needed to remove the front wheel. I need to pick one up, strangly it was not in the Yamaha kit provided with the bike.

  • Ebola countries may be accessable

    I spoke to Emma of Street Child today and it looks like it may be safe to travel through the Ebola hit countries of Sierra Leone and Liberia. This is great news as I may be able to visit some of the projects they have in those countries.
    Only one week until the start of my trip and everything is in place.  This weekend my old school mate Pete is coming up to help my service the bike and give it a final check.  Pete is a bike mechanic so his expert opinion will be reassuring. Next Tuesday I am visiting Draiglas Explorer Scouts as the first Scouts meeting on my trip, I hope to meet many more before I finish.

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    From Wales to Cape Towm

  • Central wheel components

    A big thank you to Central Wheel Components for donating 10 front and 10 rear wheel spokes that I can take as spares.

    Central Wheel Components

  • Ferry departure delayed

    I had an email from Britanny Ferries today.  My ferry has a stabiliser fault and has been taken out of service.  I am rebooked on the Portsmouth Caenes route the following day.

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