11 days to go - lists and more lists, maps and more maps!!!

And maybe, just maybe - a little blood, sweat and GEARS!

With a mere 11 days before we set off - where did the time go?! It's now a case of checking plans, equipment, getting bikes serviced, last minute purchases etc. etc.

We're almost ready, well, nearly almost!

The next week or so, will include more training rides, with more hills! At least the first couple of days of the actual ride will be fairly level - but after that, we'll start to encounter hills, potentially some very nasty hills!

It's all very well riding up hills with no weight, but we'll be carrying everything we need, on our bikes. That throws a whole new light (or should that be weight?), on some of the hills we are likely to encounter.

I don't subscribe to the "drop down to the lowest granny gear, and pedal like hell" method - what's the point of pedaling like fury, whilst travelling slower than a sleeping tortoise?!

At that point it makes more sense to "get off and push!" There may be a down-side to going up hills, but there's always an up-side to going down them.

Did I detect some mixed metaphors in there, somewhere?!!!

Hills and riding aside, we need to sort out exactly what we need to take with us, and how we are going to pack it all. Then start all over again, and again - until we hit just the right balance - literally as well as metaphorically - so that we can ride comfortably, and more importantly, safely.

On the subject of safety - I hate cycling helmets! But, as a responsible cyclist, I wear one. I've even attached one of those annoying (to drivers), little red flashing lights, to the back (of the helmet). In poor visibility, I intend to be seen - even if I'm not heard, when I curse other inconsiderate road users. My action cam might pick it up though!!!

As for visibility, as well as the helmet light, we've got some very bright front lights, and some fixed (also with a flashing mode) rear lights. The panniers also have hi-vis rain covers.

Anyway, I digress. On to the lists.

Well, without boring everyone senseless, my current list consists of 183 items, including the bike, and everything from the smallest items needed, to larger essentials, such as tents and sleeping bags. That list is likely to grow and shrink, and probably grow again, over the next few days!

How many pairs of pants and socks do I really need?

Joking apart, it's amazing how many things are actually needed, apart from socks and underwear that is! And that includes a first aid kit - which only counts as one item on the list mentioned above (not the cartoon).

Maps

After carrying out endless research into apps available for smart phones, printed maps still come out on top.

And, they never answer back, tell you to make a u-turn, or nag you about your speed - or probable lack of!

Fortunately, OS Maps are now available online (subscription required for a full set of UK maps), you can plot your route using their online app, and then print out the maps required, on A4 sheets.

But, that's still 41 x A4 (or 21 double sided) sheets, for the whole route!

To laminate or not to laminate?

That IS the question. (Apologies to William Shakespeare)

In fact, there are two options available - one is to laminate the maps printed on to paper, the other is to print the maps on to a waterproof substrate.

As I've already got some laminating pouches, I guess I'll opt to laminate - I haven't really got time to test out the other stuff! And, I know that laminating works.

That's it for now...

Happy cycling!

Additional information and links

The JustGiving pages for the dementia charities can be found at:

Alzheimer's Society page - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/martyn-feather-as or text ASDP84 £2 to 70070 (if you wish to donate more just enter a different figure after the £ sign - e.g. £5)

Dementia UK page - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/martyn-feather-duk or text BIJJ81 £2 to 70070  (if you wish to donate more just enter a different figure after the £ sign - e.g. £5)

We are now also raising funds for a West Sussex based charity, Dementia Support

https://www.dementia-support.org.uk/

Dementia Support MyDonate page - https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/martynfeather1

@inmemoryofmymum can be found on both Facebook and Twitter, so you can follow the ride there too. You can also find me on Facebook - Martyn Feather (Skippy), and Twitter - @ZkidooKreativ

The text and photos contained within this blog are the intellectual property of Martyn Feather, unless otherwise indicated. © Martyn Feather 2017

Scary thought - just 15 days before we set off!!

With just 15 days left before we set off on the bike ride, I thought I'd add a bit about comms on the move...

Comms on two wheels...

I've invested (not a lot - just less than £22), in two, 16 channel, UHF, USB chargeable, walkie talkies (from China - naturally!), for use along the ride - just in case we get separated.

"Why not use mobile phones?" I hear you say.

Well, you try using the touch screen of a smart phone, when you're riding a bike - just as dangerous as when you're driving! Although the outcome is marginally less likely to be fatal, and sometimes, just downright amusing!

So, a simple, on-the-move, two-way mobile radio system, is infinitely better, especially when the radios come with earpieces, and a small mic, with a PTT (push to talk) button. They also have rechargeable 3.7V 1500mAh lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, and not the AA or AAA alkaline or NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) types found on many budget walkie-talkies.

Being USB chargeable, they can be charged from a USB power bank or portable solar panel, when mains electricity is unavailable.

As an added bonus - these sets can also be configured for voice activated transmissions - negating the need for the PTT button - and thereby providing a completely hands-free, two-way communications system.

Now for the quite IMPORTANT legal bit

Without going into too much detail, these radios are not legal for use in the UK without a licence. A "Business Radio Simple UK Licence" can be obtained, online, from Ofcom - if you're prepared to pay the one-off £75 fee, for a 5 year licence.

The radios also come with factory pre-set frequencies which are, in the UK and much of Europe, reserved for government agencies, emergency services etc. They MUST therefore be reprogrammed (using a computer) to the frequencies, and squelch codes (if used), allocated to an appropriate licence, BEFORE they can be used - LEGALLY!

Finally, due to their transmission power, up to 5 watts ERP (effective radiated power), they are not legal for use with PMR 446 frequencies, outlined below.

Licence free alternatives

To avoid the need for a licence, I could have opted for PMR 446 specific radios.

A little more about PMR 446

PMR (Public Mobile Radio) 446 is a licence free, two way radio band of frequencies (446.0-446.2 MHz - unsurprisingly), set up as a standard across the European Union. It is similar to the FRS and GMRS systems in the USA and Canada - which use different frequency bands.

PMR 446 radios can only have a total ERP of 0.5 watts, usually have a fixed antenna, and must be pre-set to the eight PMR 446 frequencies.

Conclusion

For the sum of £97 (two-way radios plus 5 year licence) I have two, solidly constructed, slightly more powerful radios - when compared to the many PMR 446 alternatives. If needed, I could, at a later date, add more sets, and still be covered by the same 5 year licence.

Yes, there are cheapo (sub £50 a pair) PMR 446 radios out there, but they're mainly aimed at the "toy/recreation" market - they also tend to use alkaline or rechargeable NiMH batteries, as opposed to Li-ion batteries, generally found in more expensive walkie-talkies.

Sub £30 Motorola PMR 446 radios - batteries NOT included!

Happy cycling!

Additional information and links

The JustGiving pages for the dementia charities can be found at:

Alzheimer's Society page - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/martyn-feather-as or text ASDP84 £2 to 70070 (if you wish to donate more just enter a different figure after the £ sign - e.g. £5)

Dementia UK page - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/martyn-feather-duk or text BIJJ81 £2 to 70070  (if you wish to donate more just enter a different figure after the £ sign - e.g. £5)

We are now also raising funds for a West Sussex based charity, Dementia Support

https://www.dementia-support.org.uk/

Dementia Support MyDonate page - https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/martynfeather1

@inmemoryofmymum can be found on both Facebook and Twitter, so you can follow the ride there too. You can also find me on Facebook - Martyn Feather (Skippy), and Twitter - @ZkidooKreativ

The text and photos contained within this blog are the intellectual property of Martyn Feather, unless otherwise indicated. © Martyn Feather 2017

Just 19 days to go...

It only seems a few weeks ago since we decided to cycle for dementia. Yet now, we're just 19 days away from the start date!

There are still things to be done, and items to be purchased, but we're almost there!

The next couple of weeks are going to be busy finalising everything - from where we're going to stay, to what we need to take with us, and more importantly, what we don't actually need.

Essentials are simple, food and water, clothing and shelter, and of course, the bikes!

Both bikes will be serviced before we go, in preparation for their "epic" journey. And, we'll be carrying basic bike essentials, just in case. Essentials such as spare inner tubes - easier to replace on the go, and carry out repairs later - lubricants, and the odd tools and spare parts - even though they probably won't be needed - fingers crossed!

Food and drink

Whilst my military head says "carry all the food and water you'll need for at least 24 hours", my sensible head realises, for this endeavour at least, it's not really necessary. We'll never be that far away from civilisation, and most of the camp sites we'll be using, have a shop on site, or have local shops nearby. And, on most days, we'll be passing through towns and cities, where we'll be able to pick up whatever we need.

So, as long as we have enough food and water, to cover a twelve hour period, we should be fine.

I may take a few military style "boil in the bag" meals, for those unexpected delays and situations, but only for use, as a last resort.

Stoves

I did ponder over the type of stove we should take, and finally decided upon a simple windproof gas stove, as opposed to the liquid fuel type.

Camping gas canisters are readily available, and weigh less than liquid fuel. Add to that a converter from the standard propane/butane gas canister screw thread, to the attachment used for the tall thin butane canisters - often sold in packs of four for less than a tenner - and we're covered!

Note to self - remember to take something to light the stove with! And no! I didn't get a stove with one of those piezo ignition things - they're often fragile and unreliable on such compact stoves anyway.

Shelter

The matter of tents has already been covered in an earlier post, so I won't say much more here, other than to reiterate - AVOID! those tents with the plasticky type sewn in ground sheets, and go for those with a waterproofed Oxford fabric type - they're lighter, and pack down to a smaller size.

Charging all the techy stuff

After trying out a couple of things, I've decided to use a portable solar panel to charge a power bank whilst on the move, and for campsites with no power. And, to purchase a camping hook up lead (16 amp blue plug type), with a 4 way socket panel, for use on pitches with a power supply.

Clothing

Clothing will be pretty minimal, as underwear, shorts, cycling jerseys, shoes and socks, are all we'll need whilst riding, and a helmet, of course - apart from the helmet, they're all lightweight and pack down small. Plus a pair of jogging pants, a lightweight fleece, and waterproofs, when needed.

Ablutions and laundry

Fortunately, most campsites have facilities catering for such needs, so apart from carrying the obvious essentials, there's not a lot else to consider - except for the occasional site with - none of the above!

Sleeping

A good night's sleep is quite essential on such a venture, so warmth and comfort need to be considered.

I've purchased two, theoretically 4 season sleeping bags, though I probably wouldn't want to use one below 0 degrees C. But, for September in the UK, they should be fine - only time will tell.

I've also purchased two self inflating sleeping mats. This however, was a slightly more complex decision. Most sleeping mats - whether of the closed cell foam type, or the self inflating type - roll up into a size that is too wide to easily carry on a bike.

I finally found a self inflating mat, that folds down the middle, before you roll it up, making it a lot easier to stow in the pannier bags on the bikes. It even comes with the added bonus of an attached inflatable pillow!

That's it for now - there'll be plenty more updates before we leave. Happy cycling!

Additional information and links

The JustGiving pages for the dementia charities can be found at:

Alzheimer's Society page - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/martyn-feather-as or text ASDP84 £2 to 70070 (if you wish to donate more just enter a different figure after the £ sign - e.g. £5)

Dementia UK page - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/martyn-feather-duk or text BIJJ81 £2 to 70070  (if you wish to donate more just enter a different figure after the £ sign - e.g. £5)

We are now also raising funds for a West Sussex based charity, Dementia Support - https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/martynfeather1

@inmemoryofmymum can be found on both Facebook and Twitter, so you can follow the ride there too. You can also find me on Facebook - Martyn Feather (Skippy), and Twitter - @ZkidooKreativ

The text and photos contained within this blog are the intellectual property of Martyn Feather, unless otherwise indicated. © Martyn Feather 2017

350 mile bike ride - the route...

I've now plotted the route we'll be taking, which you can see below. Each section represents what is probably one day of riding - though we will be stopping off at various points, to help raise dementia awareness, and stopping overnight at various campsites.

On some days we may well travel further than anticipated, whilst others, due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances, may be shorter.

Section 1 - Southwick Christian Community Church to Southbourne

Section 2 - Southbourne to Netley

Section 3 - Netley to Bransgore

Section 4 - Bransgore to Wareham

Section 5 - Wareham to Cattistock

Section 6 - Cattistock to Ilminster

Section 7 - Ilminster to Wellington

Section 8 - Wellington to Dulverton

Section 9 - Dulverton to Swimbridge

Section 10 - Swimbridge to Sheepwash

Section 11 - Sheepwash to Canworthy Water

Section 12 Canworthy Water to Trebell Green

Section 12 - Trebell Green to St Austell, John Keay House

Additional information and links

The JustGiving pages for the dementia charities can be found at:

Alzheimer's Society page - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/martyn-feather-as or text ASDP84 £2 to 70070 (if you wish to donate more just enter a different figure after the £ sign - e.g. £5)

Dementia UK page - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/martyn-feather-duk or text BIJJ81 £2 to 70070  (if you wish to donate more just enter a different figure after the £ sign - e.g. £5)

@inmemoryofmymum can be found on both Facebook and Twitter, so you can follow the ride there too. You can also find me on Facebook - Martyn Feather (Skippy), and Twitter - @ZkidooKreativ

The text and photos contained within this blog are the intellectual property of Martyn Feather, unless otherwise indicated. © Martyn Feather 2017

Maps contain OS data © Crown copyright and database rights 2017