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.
Category: Countries
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Servicing the Bike
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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.
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.
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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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Ferry Booked and other preparations
I am booked on the Portsmouth to Le Havre ferry for the 25th March. Other things done include getting an International drivers permit (£5) and applying for a Visa to the Democratic Republic of Congo by post (£150).
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Article in Cambrian News
The Cambrian News printed an article about the trip.
http://www.cambrian-news.co.uk/news/i/45685/
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Thank you to Capel Dewi Community
Tonight Tom Cowcher did a slide presentation and talk about thetrip to Africa he made 30 years ago with his wife Eva and 3 friends. The evening was well attended by the Capel Dewi community and half the proceeds will be donated to Street Child.
The talk was very interesting and many of the issues they had are exactly the same sorts of thing I am expecting – nothing much has changed in the last 30 years.
I wish to thank Tom and Eva for inviting me along and giving me a chance to talk about my trip and about Street Child.
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Article in the Tivyside newspaper
This article was in this week’s Tivyside, a local paper here in West Wales.
Tivyside 21st January 2015 -
Wales Online and Wales Today
Walesonline and Wales Today have published an article today about the trip:
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/i-wanted-can-meet-grandad-8464900
The article is also in the printed paper Wales on Sunday
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Sponsored by Evolution Signs
David Woodthorpe of Evolution signs has kindly and generously made signs for the Panniers and back box.
There is plenty of space on these for extra sponsors, all money donations go directly to Street Child.
