New Blog Features

Well only a couple of days to go.

Yesterday I decided to get a SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger as a safety measure, and also to let Robyn know that I am okay when there is no mobile service. You can get more detail from http://au.findmespot.com/en/ if you are interested.

I have added a couple of links to the blog as follows:

Last Known Location – this will show you where I last used SPOT to locate me. Just click on the link and you’ll get a Google Map of my last location.

Where Have I Been - this shows a rough track of where I have been based on when I have used the SPOT. I am not using the Track facility in the SPOT as this would have consumed battery life too quickly. So this is a track of when I have sent the other SPOT messages. To use this link you will need a password to access the  map. I am only giving this to family and friends. So if you want the password send me an email – direct to me not through Facebook – and I’ll email it to you. Please respect my desire to maintain this for family and friends when you have this password.

So I hope these help you follow my trip.

1 Week to Go

Yeah so who’s counting – well I guess I am.

All is in readiness – all testing is complete and all purchases (except for some basic food items) has been done.

The final fantastic ride was with the Worthington BMW Riders Group over the June long weekend. It was to and around Nymboida where the bike got a thorough testing (including the fully laden water carriers). This included gravel roads and lots of quick sealed sections. And everything passed – I guess including myself.

The ride home was a 640km trip on the Monday and even though I was a little saddle sore and tired, the next day I surfaced okay. So I guess I passed as well – although this trip will be some 20,000km including a number of similar day’s riding.

To be honest excitement is building and I guess some anxiousness. I have told so many people about this trip it is too late to back out – not that this has ever entered my mind. But still 20.000km is a long way and I am at the front end of this trip.

So in a week’s time I hit the road.

Only 3 Weeks to Go

Well its only 3 weeks or 21 days to go. The bike is all kitted out. I’ll test the water carriers fully loaded and various other items this weekend.Thanks to Gary for the assistance in the design and installation of the water carriers.

I am definitely leaving on Friday, July 2 and meeting Rod on the Saturday in northern NSW. We will then head north together before Rod returns from Cairns some 2 odd weeks later.

Getting excited but also have reservations. Oh well its only a 20,000 odd kilometre ride – just a short one for a change ..lol..

Looking forward to my last ride for awhile with the Worthington BMW Riders Group this weekend, then I’ll get my bike serviced next week and new tyres so it is then ready.

Robyn is making sure I have all jobs done around the house before I go – well she is trying and meeting a little resistance – the bike has obviously been taking preference. She wonders whether I should sleep with it – well I told her I’ll be doing that for the next few months.