Category — Preparation

There is not much to add, so just take a look at the video if you have a couple of minutes. This will be the standard procedure every morning after spending the night in the tent. Enjoy!

click on the image to watch the video, it will open in a new window

The last weekend is here … I’m trying to tie together some lose ends here and there, such as buying memory cards and batteries, bidding farewell to friends, putting data where it belongs, final equipment testing, etc. Here’s another useful item that I’m grateful to Diane for putting it together as sowing does not belong to the list of my core competences. Maybe it should, but it isn’t.These are essentially all the tools and spares that I will be taking along, safe for the spare tire and tube. Still a few things missing, but they’ll be gathered in due time. Click on the picture to get a more detailed overview with notes.

It is now less than 10 days until my departure on Feb 20. Am trying to take care of some bits and pieces here and there. I got my last shots today, completing the 2 1/2 month vaccination marathon. I stopped by Dr. Schraeder’s office about 20 times during the last months. He and his staff have been a good source of information about all things medical that can happen during the tour. A big thank you!!!

Guess what this is - old and new …

These are two water filter cartridges, new and old obviously. Up until now the water was always great, but I suppose it was time for a change. Not sure how often I will have to make use of the filter, but I’d rather be safe than sorry. Too bad you can’t see the critters with the naked eye. Lovely names like Giardia and other parasites come to mind …

The project has taken a major hurdle. The bike is here … yes, it is actually in my hands right now. It’s kind of hard to believe after all the back and forth that the manufacturer of the frame has put us through. Us is the good people at the bike shop - Speedzone - with a little help from myself. I owe Dieter and Dirk a major thank you for all the work they have put into this project. From reading about the trip in a newspaper article, giving me a call telling me that they would like to lend support and going through the process of choosing the components and finally assembling it.So, here it is:

In case you’re wondering whether it is truly this cold here at the moment … hm … yes! Just kidding, really. The timber is being sprayed with water and with temperatures below freezing, the water forms wondrous ice formations. Pedaling back from the bike store I came across this place and couldn’t resist. There’ll be more pics in the future … but for the time being, suffice it to say that my first impression is one of joy and fun. The bike promises to be a good companion thanks to the good folks at Speedzone. 

In the process of preparing for my own trip, I came across this website: 14 degrees. And I must say that I was envious of the title that Rob had come up with. Be that as it may, I contacted Rob and asked him a bunch of questions and it turned out that he would eventually pass through the area. At the beginning of this week, after he had switched from pedaling on a recumbent to the 4-wheel version aka the skateboard, he arrived in Offenburg and after not having been able to establish contact that night, we finally hooked up the following day. Among other things, Rob convinced me to try out a recumbent bicycle - something that I had not planned on doing ever. But we shall see.Rob intends to break the world record in unsupported skateboarding, which currently stands at around 6000km. The plan is to skate from here to London (including ferry of course) and then head to North America and cross the continent.Rob is one of the most pleasant people I have ever had the fortune to meet up with and has wits for many more. If he happens to come your way or someone you know, I’m sure he’d greatly appreciate being put up for the night. He is also supporting a charity through his journey, namely Board Free, an organization that helps kids with Lowe Syndrome. Donations are highly welcome. Please get in touch with Rob through his website.