Adventure begins... But for cops.

So here we are, another bike adventure begins. I slept well last night. However, I woke up before my alarm this morning, and I set up and got ready early. Riding along Cambridge Road towards Battersea park, I feel a warm warm happiness knowing that i'm having another bike adventure. Except. Halfway through the park, I pull over to take a picture of my bike next to Barbara Hepworth's sculpture. And, right there, I get a police caution. Apparently, I'm cycling on the wrong path. However, as I was unaware, or, that I told him I lived close by, and pay his taxes, he waives the on-the-spot £500 fine and settles for a caution. I tell him with a straight face "I'm heading to Belguim, and i've barely done four hundred metres." And he smiles and kinda says sorry. I could see he respected the adventure idea, and my well loaded bicycle. It seems that it's the Chelsea flower show on this weekend, and as such, a greater police presence is required. We all know those flower show pensioners are bastard hooligans, don't we? I'm cycling towards Victoria station and thinking about Hannah. The buses and taxis cease to exist, and my road becomes ghostly quiet and peaceful. The rush hour traffic is not there.

The tickets at the train station are bought simply and quickly. No need for online booking, just an advance return to dover for £29.80, allowing return within one month. Simple, quick, good. I'm pumped now, my bike feels light, not too heavy. I know in figures, it's well over 30 kilos, but it feels good, it rolls well. The only obstacle I face, is the deluge of commuters arriving from my train, into London. They all look misrerable, they all look sad. None of them look like they want to be there, and they all look at me as unlike anyone else in the street. I'm like a white dove.

We have all heard of Eurostar, right? Well, I give you ElectroStar!! This is the ferry train alternative. Just as ghetto as it sounds, and full of people from europe. Who, I don't doubt have missed their eurostar. I'm sitting, waiting, watching Iggy pop insurance bilboard adverts. Why Iggy? Why? There's no traffic no queues. We pass Rochester and I spy a defunct old submarine, and wonder just how many continents it could have destroyed in it's day. I'm sleepy, and drifting for a nap, It's early still. Maybe 10am, and i'm wishing it was my bed still.

At dover station, for some reason, I already know my way to the ferry. It really is so easy. I coast a little down the hill, and continue along the promenade avoiding the trucks from hell...I mean Romania. Someone build wider lanes here please. I follow the bike-only red lines showing me the way to the boat. I collect my ticket, and watch a Romanian driver drop his passport. I circle the trucks in the bay looking for a Romanian registration plate, and tap on his window. He's happy and relieved. I'm hoping it's positive karma, and I don't get knocked down by a truck.

I'm early. I eat a couple of sausage rolls. Then, I am waved through. I cycle up the steepest hill of the day, up the gangway, onto the ferry. I truly feel that everyone should have the opportunity to cycle onto a ferry just once. It's liberating. A very very warm sensation. That's all I can say.

The ferry is pretty much empty, the ride is calm and chop-free. I spy the refineries of , Dunkerque in the distance and were there. Big industrial, non-friendly, coal heaped, blackened and rusted, Oil silos, Alcan piping, the Borg ship. Full of pipes, pylons and cranes. Algae and tyres everywhere. Like many people's failed one-night stands, I'm wondering if i've chosen the right place to dock.

I've no euros by the way. But i don't care. I'm happy to be on an adventure. I know I have a loaf of soreen and a packet of noodles. I'm good to go. I steal... I mean liberate, a map of Belgium from Carrefour. It would have cost me ten euros, which I don't have. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention one thing. I have a total trip fund of £70. My train to Dover was £29.80, my return ferry was £20. I have £20.20 to keep me rolling. There's going to be no museums, no chuch tours, just adventure, free water, cheap food. And a little shoplifting. Have you ever tried it? You don't know what you're missing.

I ride 45km through the headwind from my nightmares, towards Belgium. I know why they have windmills now. I slap my head. It's 8pm, getting dark, i'm beat. I'm lucky being in the middle of nowhere when I do feel the need to stop. Setting up camp is carefree, I have no need to watch my back. Tonight, I'm camping next to what looks like a dog training obstacle course. I don't worry about the first night sleep anxieties that I used to do. I drift asleep peacefully, the forest monsters are not there.

Nervousness

I got the pre-ride sense of panic today. The one you get when you know your actually going to go to another country on a bicycle, with a tent, and very little money. The panic that makes me feel as though there are unknown fears or problems, and you're about to put yourself into those. It's a feeling that your alive. Alive I say.

My relationship has been sinking too. It's been there for a while now, but it's got to that point where I feel I need to blog about it. The fact is, I'm broke, and still unable to find a career. And my partner hates me for my predicament. Is love unconditional? I'm being pushed. I'd truly love to be able to give her all I can and make her smile with the gifts.

So, seeing this downward slide developing, I've not been entirely accepting of my supposedly foreseeable fate. I have been offered work, only, it's in Nepal. I've been offered a teaching post in Kathmandu, and it starts really soon. I may have to end my bike tour early to take this post.

I'm not entirely sure about going, my family think I'm insane. But I still have a feeling of love for a mean, conditional girl. But if it gets worse, I know I have no other choice. I must go.

But the panic feeling felt good too. I know that I'm placing myself in new and unseen places, and learning about other people, in a sustainable way. I'm not stagnating. I hope not at least.

I hope.

I've still not been refunded for the botched train ticket either. But as fate and karma intervenes, I have sold my heavy loud guitar amp, and the guy just called round with a big, fat £100. I feel more secure, and i'm able to see a cycle tour working out again in my head. Tomorrow is packing day.

Todays crud

Today, I soldered together a solar panel, then promtly put it away. Becuase the wiring is off. I also relaxed in the park, ate bagels, read Chomsky, considered Tolstoy then gave up. I have a table full of electronic devices charging; phones, gps, mp3, camera batteries, phone batteries, battery charging batteries, batteries batteries batteries. All in Battersea. Where I am.

I still haven't been refunded the train ticket, and I have no idea how to produce a solution. I can't afford to buy a ticket until the ticket-botch-up money is returned to me. My only solution is to cycle to Dover a day earlier.

I've also been offered a job in Nepal.

Hurdles are annoying

Sometimes, things are just lousy. But, they crop up when we really need something. My journey next week, involves taking me around France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, and maybe Luxembourg.

After various research, I have found travel possibilities depending on my budget. Which is pretty low. I could get a return train fare to Brussels or Lille for £69 using eurostar, only the availability is really limited, and I was unable to get a ticket at that fare price. My other option is to sail on the ferry. I found a really good fare for cycle passengers using Norfolk line Ferries, travelling from Dover to Dunkerque for just £10 each way. Amazing value, and also placing me at a place I wanted to visit. The remaining dilemma was to organise travel to Dover. I thought about cycling to Dover from here in London. 80 miles, which would take a day. As I have only 8 days of cycling this would take 2 days of my journey total.

I have researched train journeys, and found that SouthEastern Rail runs train journeys from London St Pancras, or London Victoria, to Dover Priory- which is pretty much Dover, you just roll down the road to get to the ferry terminal.
Fares, are £29.80 off-peak return from London Victoria, which is the closest station to me. So, this lunchtime I went online to make a booking.

And, here's my hurdle. I booked using the online booking process, and the website stated that the transaction had been declined in red type. not a huge problem I might add. However, I checked my bank online statement, and the transaction had taken place. Now, the dilemma.

After calling Indian call centres for the bank and the train company, I was informed that the money had gone through, and will be refunded. But, it can take 24 hours to 4 days to refund. How can money be taken at an instant, but take up to four days to be given back? I have no idea.
My problem now, is that £30 of my travel money has evaporated, and I now only have £24 to play with. I don't even have enough to book another train ticket!

You see, I was planning to travel on a very limited budget. Under £50 for the train & ferry, £40 for my food: £5 per day.

So, cycling to Dover may now be the only alternative.. 2 days of my travel gone?

I don't know what's going to happen. I can only wait.

Equipment List

I thought I would spend a moment publishing my equipment list. I got many recommendations from people, websites, and fellow hardcore bike travellers over the years. You can see my original equipment list/guide at the bottom of the page: here.

Terra Nova Solar 1 tent -
I bought this on ebay for £40. Ebay Terra Nova Tents Here Damn Bargain of the century if you ask me! £280 new! Although now discontinued i believe. Its a red outer fly, with yellow inner. Single easton aluminium pole, weighs less than 2kg (dry!), And is absolutely watertight. As with all tents however, internal condensation can develop if not vented/ wet clothing is left inside the tent. Although......I've learned that they are selling now on ebay upto £180. EeeK!! I have respect for Terra Nova, Hilleberg, and Vaude tents. I'm thrilled with my tent though.

Lantern -
Free..Pinched from my Dad, as it was lying around untouched for a couple of years. I doubt he'll realise it's disappeared. I have searched high and low for the ideal touring lantern. I first used the Uco candle lantern. It was a very romantic idea, but it didn't produce a suitable amount of light. I've also seen these tiny led things, which could be a good idea in a few years, when they come down to 3-for-a-pound. If you want propper eye-melting wattage look for something like this from GoSystem. If anybody has found the perfect pocket lantern, be sure to let me know...

camping mat -
Good old yellow foam Karrimat. I've given up on the self-inflating camp mat. always punctures, and then, what's the point? Alpkit mats have been a good cheap idea, which have proved to be horrible..I've had three now, and all have gone. Cardboard is a great material...Those hobos know a thing or two. Pay attention rich people. Balloon bed make some wicked innovative ultra-light 'comedy' mats. I've also seen people using two cut foam squares, folded concertina-style. Can't think of the product's name, but i'd like one.

MSR XGK II stove -
The best stove available? New, it costs over a hundered smackeroonies. Burns any liquid fuel. However, I am still confused as to how I fill up the bottle at the petrol station? The pump hose wont fit inside the bottle neck. Perhaps a funnel? Spillage! I was going to buy a Primus Omnifuel stove because it burns LP gas cans too, but weighs twice as much as MSR. I bought the XGK again on eBay for £30. Ebay Msr Stoves Here. It included a foldable heat shield, spare bottle & xtra service kit! eBay is your friend! Roars like a space shuttle. I'd like to own an Msr Dragonfly because it simmers, and my stove is an all out fiery-rocket-onslaught. I've also seen the home-made alcohol stoves made from coke cans, and the whitebox stove which is made from a riveted alco-pop tin bottle. Good, light cheap idea. Not sure about cooking a real meal with it, four weeks into a ride though...

Ortlieb Classic Panniers & xs drybag -
I read all about these on various cycle touring sites. I initially had no idea, and was going to buy some nylon shite. Bought new, as eBay auctions weren't much cheaper. Ebay Ortlieb Panniers Here I guess they are desirable. If I couldn't afford the Ortlieb brand, Lidl supermarket do a cheap exact copy for £10 per bag. They seem the same weight, are strong, waterproof, and I'd be happy using them.

Altura Nevis Waterproof Jacket -
Bargain, in my book. I can't afford Gore tex. Except for...

Freestyle Gore Tex Hood - When I realised that the jacket didn't have a hood, I bought this on eBay for £7. Only downside, is that the jacket is Yellow, and the hood is red. But who cares anyhow?

Outwell teflon camping stove set & kettle -
Ebay for £5. Brand new kit. Couldn't refuse the offer. I figure the MSR stove will destroy the teflon coating in a couple of sessions.

Victorinox Swiss army knife -
ebay for £3. Has knife for eating, scissors, can opener, bottle opener, corkscrew etc etc..

Petzl Tikka head torch -
Had it for many years now. Takes Nimh AAA batteries which my camera takes also.

Alpkit Alpine Dream 700 Sleeping bag -
£100 for a relatively high quality down sleeping bag. I was going to get a Nanok bag. However, it weighs over 2.5kg I tried it out the other day in the house. Woke up covered in sweat. Note to self - Dont use sleeping bag indoors. I've also considered minimus bags by PHD (Pete Hutchinson designs), and the Vango venom bag. The Minimus bags have no zip to reduce weight. I like zips. I get scared being sealed in a bag. I've heard there are websites with people who like that kind of thing. Anyway, I'm going for the Vango next time, for summer travel, and price value, and compactability. Pete Hutchinson can wait until I have Pete Hutchinson dollars...

Rab Survival Zone Bivi -
The problem I have with down bags, is obviously, condensation. It can ruin your comfort. There are waterproof bags but they are expensive. The modern idea is to use a layered/hybrid bag - 1 season bag, fleece or silk liner, waterproof outer bivi. You can combine or separate as required...
I bought the rab bivi for £30 on ebay, shops sell the Survival Zone for around £45-50. It's going to stop my bag from getting wet, and to help me take mid-afternoon naps, at the side of the road, in the rain. It packs tiny and light, and I can't believe it's so capable. Magic..

Various other items -

Compact camera tripod, Home-made solar multi-charger, msr stove service kit, bike lock, lantern, cheap tesco bike gloves, clear lens Bolle work safety glasses, compass, Sansa Clip mp3 player (music & relaxation/meditation exercises), batteries, memory cards, Swiss army knife, pills & uppers, inner tube, passport, Bluetooth Gps phone adaptor.

New Journey, New Ideas, New Technology

On my last bike adventure, I kept a diary. I used Internet cafes to type up and publish my thoughts for others to read. The only thing that I had a problem with, was the cost of some internet cafe charges. Sitting for over an hour typing as fast as I could to get information down. Maybe that method was good for Jack Kerouac. But for me, I make tons of spelling errors...

If only there was a way to reduce cyber-cafe costs, enable thorough document editing, and quickly upload? Hmm.. This question I have thought about for a long long time. And, after long consideration, I have come up with an answer: A notepad & pen.

The old Psion 5 Series! has been great. Well, that's been my ghetto computer of choice for a few years....

It's good because, I can type & edit documents, upload using a web-cafe, or even use a cell phone to upload/download/surf when in remote areas. Add to that, a cheap price on ebay, and a long long battery life using standard AA batteries...I think we have a clear winner. I've even installed a cool free chess game to keep me sane when alone for long periods. If, of course, that is at all possible.

So this is how we do it. Quite some time ago, I wrote another Blog here to explain about setting up web & email using the Ghetto Psion 5. My other option is simply to use the Compact Flash card from the Psion and transfer the text using a mini usb reader. That should reduce my Cyber cafe outlay by ummm... Let's wait and see. The scourge of the machine!

Anyway, Next wek i'm planning on using new writing technology. My Windows Mobile smartphone & bluetooth keyboard. With this, I can update my location using gps, record journey track data (now & again..batteries are limited), write emails, blog articles, and text, facebook, twitter, and so on... I'll miss the Psion, but it's going away in a box. Like dead people do..

Now, all I need to do is come up with enough money to survive the journey...Hmm..How's the job market these days? Anyone?

A new bike adventure planned!

So here I am, sitting here staring out of my window looking at the sun, wondering why we all choose to stay in our homes when there are so many adventures to be explored outside? I've had a dull year, or so. I haven't been able to find work, and have stagnated as an unemployed person, taking my bi-weekly visit to the local Jobcentre office to smile and not look so lost, just enough to answer their questions how, I assume they want to hear them. Sometimes, I have been lucky, sometimes I have not. But, that's the role you assume when you exist under such an archaic benefit system. Thanks to the protestant work ethic I suppose? But, it hasn't been a complete disaster this year. I have completed another education course, which might just, by the skin of my teeth, enable me to work somewhere less brutal and confused than this country. I hope. And that is an important thing, perhaps the best of things.

It has been on my mind for some time now. I have that frustrating, ever-increasing urge to wander. To see other shores, and to know first-hand that the world is a good safe place. You see, Television, Newspapers, Internet stories, all media here, seems to promote anxiety and fear in our lives. But, to me, it has the opposite effect. I choose to ignore it, until it goes away completely. But, I know it won't go away. It's like an unrelenting ever marching soldier, perhaps even similar to the cowboy in the movie 'Westworld'. It does not, will not, ever stop.

It's harder for the unemployed person. We don't own our own house, we don't have a garden, we have no real pleasurable distractions other than cigarettes, alcohol, and television. There is not much else for the majority of people. But I hope to be different. Freedom, after all, is what you do with what has been done to you. So, i'm planning an adventure...