Steel Horse

 My steel horse arrived back at the stable fully shod and well rested - well not quite fully shod - they couldn't find the rims I wanted in time, but said that the present ones are still fit for another few thousand km. Will get a new set of wheels built in Texas before crossing into Mexico and Central America. So new cables, brakes, front derailleur and chain set (42-32-22) and rear derailleur and block (11-32). Brand spanking new - fit for 50 000km! Cruised up the Haslemere hill without having to get out of the saddle, so Andes and Rockies, you will be conquered!!!! Was hoping to get out for a gallop this morning but its peeing down with rain - supposed to clear this afternoon, but I won't hold my breath!

Last minute equipment still coming in....but it never bloody ends........now I'm looking for a hard shell case for the Guitalele!!!! Best thing is to just to run out of money and go with what you've got!!!!!
I have to laugh at myself when I read some of the websites from people who travel minimalist! Undees and socks!!!! Well it might come to that!!! Watch this space!!!

A big thank you to all the lads at Cycle Works, Guildford and Haslemere. To Ian and John at the Guildford branch - Ian, who spent a long time chatting to me about possible gearing configurations, and to John for doing the mechanics - very sweet, thanks; and to the Haslemere branch for the spares - keep up the cycling and the good work! 

Yellow Fever

Had my Yellow Fever jab last week - the local Surgery up the road gave me the run around and didn't really know what was cooking, so cycled into Guildford to a travel clinic and all was done very efficiently. I wouldn't really have bothered except that some countries in South America will not allow you in unless you have had a Yellow Fever inoculation if you have visited other countries where Yellow Fever is endemic. Cost £60.00. Was going to get it done in Nashville, but the quote there was $200.00....for one jab!!!!!
Ticket booked and paid for - flying on May 10th to Nashville from Heathrow via Atlanta, with Delta Airlines - £615.00. Not long now!
Bike gone in for a major service - new front chain set and front derailleur, new rear cassette and rear derailleur, brand new rims and spokes, new chain - will now be easier to get over the Andes.......I hope!!!
Just finalising last minute equipment now - mainly first aid kit, and pannier security - locks and cables etc. and starting to pack.........

Test Ride - Fully Loaded

Took two days off over Easter to do a test ride with the panniers fully loaded. Decided to cycle up to Wantage in Oxfordshire....and up it was.....a 6 hour ride on the way there and a 4.40 ride on the way back!!! Amazing what a difference the terrain can make. Total distance - 210km.
All went very well apart from getting lost in the cities - they are a real pain to cycle through, especially the roundabouts. Got a serious case of ITB inflammation, but I am sure nothing that some ice, acupuncture and deep tissue won't be able to sort out.
It was the first time I had ridden with front panniers - certainly a slight difference in the handling; the secret is to keep the front ones as light as possible. I really didn't feel much weight on the back at all, and guess I was only slower by about 1km/hr...not that I am trying to break any records. I don't think weight will be a problem for me - it may be for the bike i.e. wear and tear but I am very light so should be able to take a little more on the bike. Space will be a problem though - I thought I would get everything in no problem, but this is certainly going to be a push - will just have to strap things to the panniers.
I will definitely be needing smaller gearing to get up and over the Andes and possibly the Rockies, but will sort this in Nashville when I take the bike for its final service before the trip.

I stayed in a lovely campsite at the Courthill Centre, just south of Wantage in Oxfordshire, where I had a great carbo loading dinner, with a lovely lady and a new friend, Jennie.

Some site seeing on the way back!