Vandals....

After a recent Christmas party I was cycling home, only to hear a nasty scraping and a click before the rapid fall to the ground as my bike disintegrated under my feet. Some vandal had removed the bolts that secured the main cog (and pedal) to the bike and thus taken away the ability to cycle! Needless to say I was absolutely livid, but it has taught me the importance of understanding the bike and all that each part on it does. Over the past few months, I have learned this and it has been invaluable. When I'm on my journey, I will need to be able to carry out basic maintenance and checks in order to ensure that my bike is in working order, so in some ways I'm grateful for this experience, if not the cost of a new cog...

On a more brighter note, plans are progressing well. I'm starting to note down some rough schedules and routes, and once I have done this I can look at the more interesting bit of places of interest along the way. People that I have spoken to already about my plans have been wonderful in offering contacts and information that I hope will prove invaluable. However, I'm still without a bike - my single speed won't do (and that's broken anyway!).

Another blow that the loss of my bike has brought has been the temporary end to my twice weekly trek to Richmond Park to do circuits. At such a crucial time in the year, when cocktail sausages, glasses of champagne and mince pies are being flung from all angles, I can only hope that the festive period will not leave the fitness side of my preparations dangerously underweight! However, the good news this morning was that despite the festive onslaught, I have now dropped below 12 stone.

Anyway I had best be off - a multitude of things to do and that's even before I finish my Christmas shopping.

Best,

Charlie

Initial beginnings

As we head into the deepest, darkest months of winter, my plans for a cycling tour of Britain are starting to gather pace. Already a departure date has been noted down in the 2009 diary and it would seem that only illness or a nuclear apocalypse are going to stop me. The reality, however, is that unless routes are planned and equipment readied, the actual departure will continue to be elusive.

The actual plan is to travel around the mainland of Great Britain, sticking as much as possible to the coast. There will be forays away from the coast to make contact with family and friends as well as visit sites and places of interest. I estimate that the journey will take roughly four months and cover approximately 8,000 miles. I aim to depart in early February.

So, having made my initial entrance into the world of blogging, I will leave again. But will be back soon with an update of my status. If you have any suggestions or comments, please do get in touch - I would be most be grateful.

Thanks for reading!

Until next time,

Charlie