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                                                      Archived news

    

            

15th February 2015

                   Things are starting to move now, some Visa`s applied for, also the all important Carnet for the Bike has been sorted, sent off and its just a matter of waiting now until the completed Carnet arrives and hopefully, i shall be on my way in a few short weeks.

The Bike is being worked on as often as i can, and the whole of the front end is almost finished with its overhall: e.g, new head bearings, new front tyre and wheel bearings, new fork gaiters ( the old new ones fell apart after only six months )

The red ones now fitted are a pair of MX ones, which although the wrong size, still fit quite well and will do the job nicely.

 The front brakes have been stripped and cleaned with a new set of DP brake pads fitted. At the same time, i have replaced the old rubber brake line with a much better braided line, donated by good friend simon bird.

 I had a good second hand pair of BMW grips lying about so i have replaced the exisiting ones with them as they have a much more comfortable feel to them.

 

 Pictures in Photo Gallery.

 

I will update as i progress and should have the Bike finished and ready to roll in a few days. Then it will be time to start overloading it with all my gear.

 22 January 2015

             I have just started to dismantle the bike, to give it a good going over, checking everything, replacing consumables such as tyres/chain & sprockets/filters etc. etc. so that it is as good as can be, ready for the off in a few weeks time.

         At the same time, a few minor alterations will be tried, such as wider handle bars, a braided front brake line, different hand grips, and maybe even make some hand/stone guards.... I will take pics as I refit it all :)

9 January 2015

 

                 Many who have visited me at shows this year, or met me at rallies etc.  have had a go at suggesting a suitable name for my steed...  which will adorn it for it's lifetime of my ownership (& maybe beyond lol)  

      The choice has been made by myself alone, with no influence from anywhere other than the final two I was left with, which I asked F/B viewers to vote on :)

     I managed to narrow the list of around 70 suggestions down to two, picking what I thought were the most apt (& catchy) names, taking into account the make of machine, the age of it, the condition, the colour, it's character, and of course, what it is being asked to do over the next 2/3 years.

       As I said. I was left with just two final names.... Patch & Monty,  which I couldn't seperate....  but Monty won out in the end, after the short vote  :)   a great and very apt name...

 

 So!  Monty it is...  a name suggested by someone who seems to want to stay anonymous... as in...  the number written down next to the suggestion, just gives a solid dial tone, as in no number :(      SO!  if it was you  who suggested the chosen name.... then please send me an e-mail/message, so I can thank you in person or through this website ;)

 

   I shall be having this engraved into a small tough plaque, and mounted to the front of the bike....    

 

    

 

       4th January 2015

                                       

   Hi to all,

                   Sorry it's been so long with no updates :(..    The main reason being, I obtained a temporay job in late October, which has kept me occupied 14 hours a day 6 days a week, so as you can imagine, arriving home cold tired and hungry after 8pm in the evenings, the intention of working on the pc for a few hours just didn't  happen :(  far too tired to concentrate and off to bed early (ish) for a 6:30 start the next day... that's not to say nothing else has been done, I've been working on lots of stuff, just not the website (which Marion will be taking on very soon in my absence :)

                  Kit is all ready, jabs booked, dentist sorted :(  and the bike is now undergoing a final stripdown, ready for the final build (pics to follow soon)... ready to go :)  just a few mad weeks fundraising and off!

 

                   A definate leaving date has now been set, with bookings etc. now being made. This will be over the weekend of Sat/Sun Feb 28th/March1st...  to give me time to say goodbye to family and friends as I go. Being a w/e, most should be available to meet up, if not working.

 

      (NEW MAPS ARE ON THE PLANNED ROUTE PAGE)

 

 A major alteration has been made concerning the route, due to the Ebola crisis in West Africa. It's not the actual disease that worries me, but the restrictions on travel and visas etc. etc. in those regions. I would hate to travel all that way, to find borders closed or major restrictions on travel. So I have chosen a totally different route, taking me across France, down through Italy, across to Greece, then up through Turkey, heading for the south coast (Med), where I will negotiate passage on a ship heading to North Africa (probably Egypt). From there, I plan to folow the Nile southwards as far as the Aswan Dam where the only option is to catch a ferry all the way down to Wadi Halfa, entering The Sudan. Through Sudan to Khartoum (visas?) then carrying onwards Sth East towards Ethiopia, and down to Addis Ababa.

  From Addis Ababa, south to the Kenyan border, where I hope to cross into Kenya and continue my  journey. Into Nairobi (more visas?) and continue on to the southern border with Tanzania for yet another crossing near to the Kilimanjaro mountain, which, if fit enough lol, I might attempt an ascent (& probably a faster descent:)

 

   Through the centre of Tanzania to a crossing into Zambia is planned, as I wish to try and see the Victoria Falls near Livingstone.

 

 After the falls, I plan to journey across into Botswana and continue to head south, eventually crossing into South Africa on my way to the Main Embassys of the South American countries I plan to travel through...  A visit to Rourkes Drift may be in order too, as I am fascinated by the story of the famous british (welsh) stand during the Boer war. 

 

   From there on, it will be touring South Africa for a while, until time to board some sort of vessel taking me and my (hopefully still in one piece) bike to South America:)

 

  (see bike testing page)

 

 

     1st November 2014

 

    Check out the Excellent  http://www.adventurebiketv.com/ channel (google it or follow the link)

  It is a very well put together and presented programme, available through the internet on their own site, or perhaps try you tube...

  Those who enjoy the show, i'm sure, will check out all the episodes from the 1st one to present (6 episodes) and I am pleased to announce a debut appearance by yours truly in the current November episode (6).....  let me know what you think ?

                        

  

 

          30th October 2014  

 

    Had a very successful weekend at ......

The 21st Carole Nash Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show

18th & 19th October 2014

      Thanks to all who attended and showed an interest.. and many thanks again to the people who donated to my travel fund, and especially to those who were so fascinated by the plans, that they signed up as supporters/sponsors :)   I really hope I can keep you all entertained during this epic adventure :)

   Please visit the photos page to view some of the snaps taken at the show....

 

     12th October 2014

 

     Due to circumstances beyond my control, this website wasn't being updated as often as required, so I have now taken over the running of it (temporarily), and as I am pretty useless at all this modern tech stuff :(   it has taken me quite a few days to learn how to operate it. Now I have got the basics, it is taking shape again, in a new style, and although taking up far too much time, i'm enjoying playing with it, re-designing and jazzing it up.  So I do hope you like the new look.

       Now it is up and running properly, good friend Marion, will take it over and keep it up to date for me, as I take off on my travels. I really appreciate her immense input and help, as I do from so many other people involved in the project.

   

 

   03 OCT 2014    

                                       Had a very enjoyable & successful weekend at the ADVENTURE TRAVEL & OVERLAND show, having loads of interest from the general public, as well as a lot of the stall/stand holders themselves. Most of the event was 4x4 orientated, but there was a section reserved for the adventure bike people, riders themselves, equipment manufacturers/agents, and quite a lot of activity in the large & well organised presentation rooms.

                         Marion & I, were too busy to really have a good look around the rest of the show, but from what we saw of it, a great event. Many thanks to all who donated to the fuel fund, and especially to those who really showed a deep interest in my venture, enough to back me as a supporter/sponsor :)  When under way, I'll do my best to keep you all entertained throughout.

 

 

 

27th 28th September 2014

 

    Over the weekend of 27th & 28th September, I was welcomed to display at the ADVENTURE TRAVEL & OVERLAND SHOW,

  that took place at the Stratford Upon Avon Racecourse.

    The large show itself, was mainly 4x4 type vehicles etc. plus a lot of equipment and services suppliers, but a decent sized section was allocated for the bike adventurers. Marion and I set up the display at the end of the row of stands, and enjoyed a very productive weekend, the weather held, and everyone enjoyed the show. It was nice to see Graham Fields, Dom Giles and also Tom Woodrow of Geek Media over the two days.

    Many thanks to the extremely generous  Tom McGuigan who organised the event, and made us so welcome. The show itself was a tremendous success, with lots of interest and support  shown in my own venture. I know these reports are starting to sound the same, but, to be honest, they are true....   there is always a lot of interest & support from the many generous people attending, including a lot of the other stall holders at the various events themselves.

     

 

 

    19th 20th & 21st SEP 2014

 

                                         DONINGTON PARK RACETRACK, was the venue for the KICKBACK CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE SHOW. This was held inside the exhibition hall, next to the track, and was very well organised. A cracking good show, with plenty of exquisite paintwork, engineering, and chrome, to drool over... then I went and ruined all that hard work, by showing my tatty looking machine lol.

                               Despite that, lots of interest was shown, (I was on my feet all day sat & sun), and almost lost my voice before we had finished. I was ably assisted by Marion, who always provides lots of help on the occasions when she can make it, and tells me she always enjoys the events. But, as always, it's the people who make or break these shows, and at this one, they certainly made it, showing a lot of knowledgable interest and support.  Thanks to all of you :)

 

 

       17th Sep 2014

 

                                            I spent a few hours today (Wednesday), with the amiable Tom Woodrow, of GEEK MEDIA Ltd. who films and produces ADVENTURE BIKE TV, a great, new, internet based programme (on it's 4th episode now)  covering many aspects of adventure biking.

 

                                 He was very excited about interviewing me, and filming the bike, with all it's gadgets and budget mods lol. for a forcoming episode, about adventure biking on a budget, (hopefully broadcast in November?)

                              Everything seemed to go well on the day?  and I, myself, am very excited now, as to how it will turn out.....  so time will tell.

 

                             Why not check out all the previous episodes, and then hopefully, you'll make it a regular, monthly item to view.

 

         12th 13th & 14th SEP 2014

 

                          This weekend was spent at the local (nr. Redditch)   STOKE PRIOR STEAM RALLY by kind permission of Mr Keith Shakespeare.   The weekend went very well, and stayed dry (just!)  a lot of interest was shown by many people, who were not actually into bikes, but were fascinated a by the project all the same. Many thanks to all who contributed & wished me well.

  

     7th July 2014

 

Big decision time.....
 
At the recent Horizons Unlimited meeting at Donington, I got chatting to the helpful guys at Kaapstad Motorcycle tours from South Africa    http://www.kaapstadmat.com/ 
 
I was given some very useful advice (rainy season in central Africa at the time I would be trying to get through), And I have decided to postpone my leaving date, for a few more weeks, from the original date of Late September 2014, to the new leaving date of the first couple of weeks in January 2015.

When I leave on this new date, and take my time through France/Spain & northern Morocco, then by the time I reach the areas of the winter rainy season in central Africa (Oct-Feb), it should be either finished or very light (no guarantees though)  and if I have to sit tight for a short while, then no problem.
 
My bike, being basically a road machine, (although modded and will have dual purpose tyres by the time I reach Central Africa), won't be able to jump sand dunes, climb rocky mountains or mud plug deep rutted roads, so the direction taken, as well as time taken etc.,  will be dictated by road conditions/weather and finances.
 
This also gives me just a little more time to work on  finances for the trip. Things are going pretty well at the moment, and thanks to all who have donated and/or sponsoring me in various ways, but some hard work needs to be put in between now, and the new leaving date, just to help with the basic funding during travelling.
 
Any questions?  Feel free to drop me a line and i'll get back to you as soon as I can.
 
Immediate plans are as follows:

 

Although recovering from a nasty illness at the moment,  I will be away for a few days from 10th July to 20th July, on driving duties for a friend, driving around Belgium/France/Germany/Switzerland & Italy.
 
When back to Redditch, I will be working on the bike and trying to book a couple more fund raising events for July/Aug.
 
On Aug 13/14th ish?   I plan to take the bike and most equipment on a long trek (prob to France again) to test everything out (eco riding, rough camping etc. etc.)  to iron out anything that needs to be and then the bike and all equipment should basically be sorted and ready for the off, which will probably seem to arrive in no time at all.

 

I am certainly looking forward to testing myself against the world.

 

     19th - 22 June 2014

 

The Horizons Unlimited "Hubb" meeting was held at Donington and  I attended, with lots of help from Marion & Chloe... giving us all time off to go see some of the events and displays etc.

 

Unfortunately, I myself was feeling quite unwell, so the help was so very welcome.
 

Again, lots of interest from other attendees, making lots of useful contacts and receiving plenty of useful info for my project.  (See photo gallery).
 

And used the opportunity to take my eldest grand daughter, Chloe,  out for her first ever bike ride....... she enjoyed it.


Also.... took the Cb500 on the off road skills course .   Oh, and I've never really ridden off road before! so a bit of a challenge, being the only road bike used ...   (see video on video page)

 

     6th - 8th June 2014

- UNWANTED MCC bike/trike and custom show

 

An excellent w/e was had, at the UNWANTED MCC bike/trike & custom show, which took place at the club site in Burton on Trent.....despite the torrential rain all Sat morning through lunch.  It cleared up nicely, so all who attended had a good time.
 
Many thanks to Tango & Ruth, along with all other members of this well organised club, for allowing me to attend and promote my trip and thank you to all who showed interest and those who generously donated to the much needed fuel fund.
 
Thanks to Tango & Ruth again, for their generous donation on behalf of the club.
 
I didn't have
too much time to take pictures as I was on my own at this one, but a couple of very special trikes pulled up in front of me....  see what you think - photos on photo gallery

 

     30th May-1st June 2014

 

Over the last weekend of May, I was kindly allowed to set up at the Perverts in Leather rally, at Weston on Trent, near Derby.


It was well attended and the weather held off, making it a huge success (but I'll let the organisers comment on that score).


I set up a full stand after arriving late on Friday, with my bike on a trailer and the little polo full to the brim.  I was given a great plot, with plenty of through traffic (pedestrians, and over the whole weekend there was lots of interest in the forthcoming venture, many fascinated and amazed at the task ahead, quite a few donations into the rattle tins, some sales of m/c clothing and more importantly, a couple of enthusiastic backers/sponsors, helping me to finance the venture.  Many thanks too to all the people who offered constructive advice. 
 
After a very busy Saturday, interest started to thin, as rally goers prepared for an evening of fun and entertainment inside the large function room. This was pretty obvious by the many varied and imaginative costumes beginning to pass my stand, some of which are shown in the pictures I managed to snap as they went by See photo gallery.  Seeing as everyone seemed to be off to the entertainment, I closed up the stand and decided to have a welcome break myself.
 
Wearing my carboot 20p Batman costume, topped off with an angry birds hat, I toddled off to the rooms where everyone was having fun. Nursing a pint for the evening, the bands were great (especially the second one, who worked the crowd brilliantly).  The entire crowd joined in and had a great night, many of them carrying on well after the band finished around midnight.  In fact, when I woke up at 5 in the morning, some were still partying.
 
Sunday was a lovely sunny day and a leisurely pack up of the stand ensued then off back to Redditch and a couple of days to recover lol.
 
Many thanks to the organisers for allowing me to attend and congratulations to all for their efforts over the weekend, making this event so successful.

 

        Pictures in photo section :)

 

      16th 17th & 18th MAY 2014

 

Had a great weekend at the BMF rally Peterborough 16th, 17th & 18th May.

 

Set up a small stand in the Adventure section (inside the cattle sheds) on Friday evening.  Had a very busy time all day Sat & Sun till 5pm.  Lots of interest in the trip, sold some bits and also picked up a few minor sponsors many were fascinated by the planned trip and discussed at length.
 

Many thanks to the organisers (esp. Kate at Mulberry Group) to Marion for all her help, to other stallholders and especially thank you to everyone who showed interest and support.

 

Photos on gallery page...

 

  

 

      3rd May

I attended the Pre-show display, using the Cathedral square, in the centre of Peterborough.
 
Organised by the Mulberry Group, who run the main BMF show, at the East of England Showground, which is taking place on the weekend of 17th-18th May 2014.
 
After a disastrous set up, which culminated in our gazebo collapsing, the rest of the day went very well>  Again lots of interest, not just from the biking fraternity, but from members of the general public who were passing through the area.
 
Many thanks again to Marion for her assistance (she enjoyed the day too), and also to Kate Ferrier, of the Mulberry group, who arranged for me to attend (as well as the main BMF show in two weeks time).  Thanks also, to Mark & Sefton for their assistance in setting up.
 
Some good contacts were made during the day and I hope to see them at the main show, to chat more about their travel experiences and to pick their brains.

 

Photos are on the photo gallery page...

 

 

       25th APRIL 2014

 

               I was invited to attend the JUGSTERS RALLY at Netherseal, over the easter weekend, and would like to thank all concerned, for making me very welcome.

                I had three great days there, met lots of new people, and had lot's of interest in my project. Many thanks to the numerous rally goers, who generously contributed to my much needed petrol fund, and I also had a good time chatting to all those who visited my stand.

 

              Everybody seemed to havce a great time there, and I would thouroughly recommend anyone interested, to attend next years event. Unfortunately, I will hopefully be somewhere around the South American continent :)

 

  Apart from the organisers etc. at the rally itself, I must say a big thank you to my very helpful 11 year old grandaughter Chloe xx  for all her help.

 

  Photos in the photo gallery page.....

 

 

     5th April 2014

Had a good time at the Rebel Custom Show, at the White hart, Lenton Nottingham, last Saturday 5th April.

Much interest in the bike and trip & hopefully a few more supporters.  Everyone seemed to enjoy the day and I was pleasantly surprised when, towards the end of proceedings, I was awarded the "Landlady's choice" for my bike and project , presented by friend, Chris "slimmer bear" Rossi.... thanks to all... and I hope Dave 'nottm Triker' Patterson, doesn't mind me pinching some of his splendid pics (my batt went flat in my camera lol.)

 

A few pics added - see photo gallery page

 

Upcoming -  Been getting the bike sorted, ready for it's MoT (tues 15th) fingers crossed.  I will be attending the "Jugsters" MCC rally, on the 18/19/20th April (easter w/e) which is held at Netherseal, Derbyshire DE12 8DB.

 

I was planning to take the bike on a trailer, & lots of gear, but, as I currently have no (four wheels), I will be arriving on a very overloaded CB50.

I will be presenting the bike, with extra equipment, to all interested parties, and will happily talk the ears off anyone willing to listen to my plans of adventures to come.

All being well, I will also be providing free hot drinks, and some pre wrapped snacks, to anyone willing to hang around long enough.... So, if you can/or are going...... see you there ;)

 

   12th March

 

Had a good day at the Ribcrackers (soap box derby) rally, at Lumb Farm, Nr. Ripley, on

Saturday 8th march. With help from Chloe (grand daughter) & friend, Mazz from Redditch,

the gazebo stand was set up at lunchtime, and received a constant stream of curious

visitors throughout the day, most interested in the bike and the forthcoming trip. Quite a

few items were also sold off, to raise much needed fuel funds, and a number of generous

people also donated via the collection tins.... thanks to all :) Busy as we were, it was

obvious that all had a good time at the event, especially all the carters and crews lol, and

thanks must go to the organisers for their hard work. The next event I will be attending, is

the the Unwanted MCC's St Patrick's Shamrock PartyRockbar, Shobnall Sports & Social Club,

Shobnall Road, Burton-On-Trent, Staffs. on Saturday 15th March, 2pm ish? till late, so if any of you are going, please say hello at my stand, and enjoy the day/evening :)

 

    6th March

 

Attended the Mallory Park opening day on Sat 1st March. Aided by Marion and Chloe

for the whole day, things went very well. The stand attracted lots of interest throughout

the day, and even the weather held out nicely :) We hope all the people who attended

the day had a good time.

 

To all the people who viewed the bike and equipment, we hope you are interested

enough to continue following my progress through this site. Many thanks to all who

donated to the fuel fund, and wished me well with the project. I/we will be attending

many more events like this, throughout the spring and summer months, and we hope

to see some of you again :) ps. despite the decent weather..... I was glad I took my

new angry birds hat :)

  

   26th January 2014

 

I'm still looking for a name for the bike, so if you see me at a show or rally, write your suggestion on the pad provided and pop a small donation in the petrol fund.   The chosen name will be announced a few weeks before I leave and written onto the bike.

 

  25th January 2014  -          Major change to plans..... 
 
I have decided to postpone the leaving date of my mammoth trip, from the current target of late March 2014, to the new date of around the middle of September 2014.
 
Although disappointed at not being able to get away on my dream journey, this decision has been taken for a number of reasons, which I shall outline below:
 
Firstly, finances.  Although working hard, I find myself in a position of being vastly underfunded at the moment, not getting anywhere near my targets for leaving.
This postponement will give me the chance to work hard over the spring and summer months, doing fund raisers/rallies/shows and exhibitions etc., boosting the leaving fund, hopefully past the target point, making it a little less worrying about the minimal finances being calculated for this trip.
 
Being spring/summer, this is obviously the biking season here in Britain (well, in theory anyway) so as mentioned before, I will be hoping to do as many publicity/fund raisers as possible.

I am hoping to attend many bike rallies over the next few months, along with a few shows, wherever I can, be it bike shows, car shows, air shows, rock music concerts, race meetings, question and answer evenings...in fact anything that may be suitable.  I will also be riding out to a few biker haunts around the country, as well as a number of biker pubs etc. (soft drinks for me though!)
 
SO! if any of you are organising anything this year and would be good enough to have me attend, then please get in touch and lets try to organise something.  I can either ride my bike there, fully kitted out and set up a small display with what I can carry with me OR! bring the bike in the same manner, on a trailer,and set up a bigger display with gazebo/tables/display etc.  But anything can be discussed beforehand to suit the venue.
 
If anybody has any good ideas for major fund raising, then again, please get in touch and let me know.
 
One of the reasons for the original leaving date of March, was to cross the Western Sahara etc. during the late winter, when it will be cooler, so the September date has been chosen for a similar reason.  Having said that, if sufficient funds are in place any earlier, then I will definitely consider an earlier departure from Redditch, in the West Midlands, where I am living at the moment, thanks to the generous help of Marion, who is providing accommodation for me, my bike, and all my gear, even providing an office/base of ops.
 
I will also take advantage of this time to perhaps improve my equipment whenever possible, replacing current equipment with better quality items, should they become available.  At the same time, I will also learn to use the techy stuff a little better (technophobe !) such as my camera/video, my new (donated) ipad and suchlike.
 
Around mid August, I plan to take a final decent test run, to give everything a good workout and check all items, as well as myself lol, before embarking just a few weeks later.
 
So I do hope to meet up with a lot more of you throughout the spring/summer this year.

 

 

    12th January 2014

 

Went out on the bike in a bit of a storm the other day.  Got to my destination about 15 miles away no problem, but took a different route back, down the M5 and the bike just spluttered to a halt.  Sat on the very wet hard shoulder, trying the starter.  The motor turned over ok, but didn't fire up. Checked fuel etc., all ok and guessed it was electrical? - this was re-enforced a few minutes later, when it fired up again and seemed to run fine....   jumped on board and started back down the motorway, fingers crossed!


No such luck.  Only a few more wet miles and it stopped again, just past a services slip road.  So off the bike and a heavy push up the gradient into the services to check it out.


A hot coffee and Mars bar later.... tried it again before stripping parts off and it fired up again.  I realised then that it must be water getting into some electrics, causing it to cut out totally, but when standing, the heat must be drying it out again, letting it spark as normal?   The rain had eased quite a bit now, so decided to risk the few miles to the next junction to exit the motorway and a few more miles back to base.

 

Made it ok so now, when I have the time, I think it's a strip of all electrics, clean everything, then seal all as best I can in various ways, to see if that does the trick? (assuming it's not something obvious when looking deeper).

 

 

    4th January 2014 
 
Something came up just before Christmas and to cut things short, I have moved, lock stock etc., to stay with a friend in Redditch, Worcestershire.  I have taken a few days to settle in over the holiday period, but am starting to get sorted out now.
 
I should be starting work soon, doing a little despatch/courier work for a Birmingham co.,  using the bike, which should ensure that it is full order for the date when I leave and should toughen me up a bit too, physically, during these cold wet months.  A couple of months despatch work won't do the bike any harm, considering the punishment and mileage it is going to have over the coming months!
 
If you care to have a look at my for sale/wanted page, I have a lot of bike related stuff up for sale, as well as a few misc. items.  If you see anything you fancy, get in touch quickly, as it needs to go fast, to boost my leaving fund.
 
Health wise, Irecently had a check up at the docs and apart from the manageable asthma, dodgy knee and a few extra pounds (Christmas!!!............... but 4 lbs/2kg lost already ) all seems well and should be having all the remaining necessary jabs quite soon. (Rabies,  TB,  Yellow fever,  Hep A/Hep B,  Diphtheria,  Polio,  Tetanus,  Malaria,  meningitis,  Japanese encephalitis,  & possibly a couple more).
 
 Just a few more little bits to try on the bike...     1-  a shower (don't laugh)
                                                                                     2-  an automatic chain oiler
                                                                                     3-  Improve the headlight (it's crap in poor weather)
 
........watch this space

 

17th December 2013

 

If you've read through some of this site, then you will already know that I attempted this journey before, 3 years ago, and sadly failed through finances coupled with poor health..

 

Since then, it’s been burning away inside, that feeling of wanting to try again…..well, now we are at that stage where it' possible.

 

For the past few months, plans have been made and preparations got under way, to make this second attempt.

 

Due to my personal lifestyle and current circumstances, the time is right.  Basically now or never.  If I don’t do it now, it’s never going to happen, as time takes its toll on my poor old body.

 

I have the enthusiasm, I have the will, I have a suitable (in my eyes) machine - a Honda CB500 (1996) and over the next few months, will prepare and build the machine back up to a similar specification to the one I used 3 years ago (see pics of yellow bike).

 

Elsewhere on this site, you will find the build, stage by stage, testing, rough costs and a little ingenuity, cutting some of the costs down.

 

As of today, this section will be the first with any new updates etc. so if you add the site as a favourite, then check here first, to see what’s happening before moving to other parts of the site.

 

When underway (hopefully by the end of March 2014), this will also be the section where the main diary of my travels will be updated as often as is possible, so just check in every week to see what's been happening, where I am and where I'm going next.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 
 
 

 

 

 

    


 
 

 

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