Well this is my first blog entry, written from Sydney, Australia, with 6 weeks to go before we leave for Argentina…The first thing I’d like to do is say a massive thanks to Douglas Park Motorrad in East Kilbride, the BMW Motorcycle dealers. (http://www.parks.uk.com/motorrad/featured/the-long-way-up/)
Alan Dalziel and the team there have been amazing. They have got me a great bike at a great price, and without that I’d be unable to do this awesome adventure of a lifetime. Not only that but they are providing us with so much assistance for the trip, including maintenance training and advice, servicing of the bikes before and after the trip, tyres, oil, filters etc. And last but not least, they are sponsoring our nominated charity, Deafblind Scotland! (http://www.justgiving.com/Thelongwayuppanamerican) So thanks guys it is really, really appreciated J.
I still have a lot to do before I leave Sydney, including get my final packing list together. I am now on holiday for Christmas and New Year so need to take some time to get things done! I booked my flight to Glasgow a few days ago, so arrive there on January 22nd, which gives me around 10 days to get things organised before we all fly out to Buenos Aires early on February 2nd.
As Stephen has just reminded me I need to keep the weight down, he says: – “despite the two panniers, top box and big Lomo bag it's surprising how little luggage you can take with you. It would be understandable if you don't as you have not done this bike camping in a while. For instance I am certain you will struggle to take more than 5 changes of clothes (socks, pants and t-shirts)”. I am also thinking about all the other stuff I want to take, like camera, laptop, chargers, USB drive, phone, first aid kit, bike gear, (Jacket, trousers, helmet, boots, waterproofs, headtorch, Bluetooth headset…), and I need to sort out my travel insurance too!
Alan Dalziel and the team there have been amazing. They have got me a great bike at a great price, and without that I’d be unable to do this awesome adventure of a lifetime. Not only that but they are providing us with so much assistance for the trip, including maintenance training and advice, servicing of the bikes before and after the trip, tyres, oil, filters etc. And last but not least, they are sponsoring our nominated charity, Deafblind Scotland! (http://www.justgiving.com/Thelongwayuppanamerican) So thanks guys it is really, really appreciated J.
I still have a lot to do before I leave Sydney, including get my final packing list together. I am now on holiday for Christmas and New Year so need to take some time to get things done! I booked my flight to Glasgow a few days ago, so arrive there on January 22nd, which gives me around 10 days to get things organised before we all fly out to Buenos Aires early on February 2nd.
As Stephen has just reminded me I need to keep the weight down, he says: – “despite the two panniers, top box and big Lomo bag it's surprising how little luggage you can take with you. It would be understandable if you don't as you have not done this bike camping in a while. For instance I am certain you will struggle to take more than 5 changes of clothes (socks, pants and t-shirts)”. I am also thinking about all the other stuff I want to take, like camera, laptop, chargers, USB drive, phone, first aid kit, bike gear, (Jacket, trousers, helmet, boots, waterproofs, headtorch, Bluetooth headset…), and I need to sort out my travel insurance too!