Man Garden Gate !!!!

Wasn't going to mention this. But in for a penny, in for a pound hey.! So, I'm riding through the Kalahari Desert,  with limited supplies and petrol. Every chance I have to buy petrol, I do.  To keep my 300 km max. range constantly available. You can go hours without getting to even a small community.

Well, I thought Calvinia was a one horse town. Brandvlei is still dreaming of that one horse!! It's basically a cross road in the middle of the desert, half a dozen houses and a petrol station. Litterally. Now my bike has had a problem with pressure building up in the fuel tank. As soon as you fill the Chonda up, the heat and fumes combine and out the petrol oozes from the filler cap. It's not a look, with a bare engine just below.  To counter this, I fill up, keep the cap off and go and grab a drink. Then once ive got my kit all on, I get my new anti petrol, sponge cloth at the ready. Set off, right hand on the throttle,  left hand mopping the petrol from the filler cap. You get the picture.

I parked the bike outside the petrol station come restaurant and had a bite to eat. Got my helmet and gloves on. And began the whole ride your bike one handed, whilst 2 litres of unleaded bellows out all over the gaff. Riding and mopping at the same time, the petrol stopped flowing out. (Nice one). But I was left with this petrol soaked sponge cloth. Unsure at 100 kmph, what to do with it, I popped it between my legs and sort of sat on it. (You know where this is going.)

Well.......welll...........if you think Towering Inferno meets Ralgex ......you have no idea of A) my surprise,  and B) The paaaaain!!!!!!!!!

I'm not kidding. The petrol covered cloth had seeped through my Enduro Suit, right into my......er.........Man Garden!!! It was like a nuclear reactor had ruptured or something. It was on fire down there. All I wanted to do was instantly stop and get my 3 litre water bladder out and get the pipe out and dowse the Garden down. Man the pain. Walking on coals, has nothing on petrol in the the Man Garden. Not content with the fire from hell down stairs. My nose and right eye were itching a bit. ( Take a guess what clever clogs did next ?) " Yep", I wiped my eye and nose. ........with my now, petrol covered glove. Result !!! My right eye was on fire, my nose was on fire and stank of petrol and my Man Garden was going through some sort of scorched earth policy. Then to top the lot, my black PVC seat, that had been sat in the Kalahari Desert sun whilst I ate. Was like hot enough to fry an egg on. !! Everywhere was just on fire. And the noises that were coming out of my crash helmet were nothing other than that of a mad man.

So, that was my day. What did you do ?? Funny. Sort of. So, Will's top tip.......keep petrol and Man Gardens apart. A long way apart.

No photos were taken during Man Garden Gate. And any attempt to discuss Man Garden Gate will be ignored😂😂

PS I have showered for an extended period.  And everything is as it should be. ☺

Please make Man Garden Gate worthwhile by clicking the Help for Heroes logo. The other person wont.....so please take a second to do some good, im doing my bit. The rest is up to you.

PPS. Just saying.........

Will x

Africa here I come.

 Oola ".
I am at present in San Javier,Spain. Having spent the last four days getting the bike all prepared for the next phase of this Challenge. Africa !

I wanted to say a big " thank you " to an old Army mate, Ga Dogget. And the UK.FMX crew, Josh, Chez, Jack and John. Who have all helped me in one way or another, over the past few days.It's been great catching up too. :)

But it's time to get back on the road. Everything has been checked, adjusted and re packed. I now have a means to recharge my phone and new Helmet Cam, from the handle bars. The rear light now works too !! And where possible, all Chinese products have been thrown in the skip ! ( Stick to noodles China.!! )


In the morning I am riding along the coast towards Gibraltar,where I intend to get the ferry to Tangiers, Morocco.A distance of some 600 kms. As always, I will be taking the back roads, when ever possible. The route follows the southern Spanish coast line.So it should be good.I do  plan to try and get this section done as quickly as possible. As I am itching to get into Africa.:)))

I have been e mailing various Tabloid Newspapers. With a view to getting this Challenge into the national papers.Do you like what I am doing and who I am trying to help out ? Well why not become apart of it and help me out.

The more people who e mail the papers, the better the chance we have of  them picking the story up.And with the Challenge in The Sun, The Mirror, Daily Mail or a bike magazine, the more donations we are likely to receive. At present the donations are at £2,300.Which isn't that great, when you think it's cost me personally three times that, in direct costs.And ten times that in lost earnings!

So can you all copy and paste the text below. Included are some e mail address too. Only takes 2 minutes,but times by everyone who reads the blog.And we would hit the papers with 2 or 3 hundred e mails !! You see the plan now ? Please Copy and Paste.


Dear Editor,

An ex soldier is a riding a small 125 cc bike from London to Johannesburg.He is solo, unsupported and using just a map and compass. All to raise awareness and donations for wounded servicemen. Many of whom have lost arms and legs.
Below is his blog / website link.

An Idiot Got Bored. The Slow Way Down.


E mail address.

The Sun : talkback@the-sun

Daily Mail : editorial@dailymailonline.co.uk

The Mirror : scoops@sundaymirror.co.uk

Motorcycle News : AndyCarlton@motorcyclenews.com 

Remember this challenge is to help wounded servicemen. To help them walk again, to help them have a 'normal' life after serving our country. Don't be yet another coach potato reading my blog. Too busy to think of helping, as Coronation Street is on. I have put everything into this challenge.Spend just two minutes helping me out.I'd really appreciate it. So wizz those e mails off :) And that means you Gar Dogget too !!

Will blog on my way to Gibraltar.Some photos below of Josh, John and Spanish "pilot" Nico.Bike getting worked on and the nice apartment I've been put up in.

Back to reality......wild, wild camping :)

Will

You must pay !!!!

TO DONATE. PLEASE CLICK THE HELP FOR HEROES LOGO RIGHT. 

So.....having come off the A68, near Zaragoza and gone on to a dust track. That led to no where. I'd squeezed through this gate, as my road was all fenced off.

In the morning, packed my camp away and let loose the wild horses. 5 minutes later I went to turn off, heading for Tereul.

Well blow me if there wasn't a huge barrier and Toll booth.  Scratching my helmet. ( now then potty minds).
I asked the attendant what was going on. As I wasn't on a Toll Road.

Well. ...it turned out I very much was. Now !! My cross country trek and gate squeezing session. Had put me on the Peage / Toll road that ran parallel !!! The AP 68. I had accidentally gone from a normal road. The A68 to a parallel road, not 500 m away, called the AP 68!!!

He told me, as i didn't have a ticket " You have to pay for use of ALL of the Toll roads " !!! As in a huge $$$ euro number. My arms started to wave ( in Spanish of course ) "but but but...I just came through this gate....off a field "...His head shook...." you must pay for everything. ..or go back "

Clutch in and I was off. Back on to this bloody Toll road. When the traffic went quiet, I went to the central reservation, lifted a chain and wizzed up the other side. Now riding North, in the opposite direction.

I soon realised of course, ' my petrol station ', with the secret gate. Was on the other side of the road. And I couldn't get to it.

So not wanting a 500 odd Euro bill. For accidentally getting on the Toll road. I looked to sneak out. But the road is all fenced in. Thinking outside of the box.  I went to the petrol station opposite mine. Serving North bound traffic.  And it turned out it was a copy of the other one. Complete with gate to a joining field.

Guess what happened next ? Yep...a prode with the Van Van front wheel.  A bit of jiggery pockery. ...and I was out. And back on the A68. And surrounded by Spanish trucks......

I only did a couple of kms, determined to go back lanes.  Heading South West.  One appeared, but wasn't in my 3 euro Spanish map. But off I went. Nothing, and I mean nothing.!!!As far as the eye could see. Just me and the bike. And open Spanish rugged landscape.

It was great.  Loved it. Photo's are below .

I am now just South of Teruel. About 380 kms from San Javier. Where I am meeting Gary Doggett from Basic Training.  He lives over here. Then off to spend money I don't have on the bike. ( Joking.  It was always in the budget. ).

Took today off. To do my laundry.  Some admin. For back home.And well...because I can.
Teruel is nice. Just been wizzing around the historic old town. Looking for a Pharmacy. As a mozzy bit my eye lid. It's a cool look. Check the pics out.

Facebook.  London to Johannesburg. The one with the bike. Click " Like".

Now on a serious note. Im not on a jolly. Im paying for this. And risking everything. There is Al Queda where I am going.  And I don't think that they will be inviting me around for a cuppa. So if you like what I am doing. Please spend 2 minutes with your bank card. Click the Help for Heroes logo and show your support.  It goes directly to them. I don't see or touch a penny. I would like to raise £15, 000.

Please help me do that.

Will

Wild Boer

Phone issues are over now. EE turned me on internationally now. ( Oy yoy.).

I had expected my trip through France and Spain to be proving ground for myself, the bike and my kit.

I didn't expect there to be an incident every day.

Yesterday I changed the oil on my bike and adjusted the new chain.

Thought I'd finally get a few miles under my belt.  But no. Really high winds put pay to that. (I don't mean me after a curry.) Had the bike at 20 degrees. It was also raining heavily.
And I've removed my front fender.  And put Monster Truck oil in my forks. Loads better off road and more clearance.

Down side. Riding my bike in the rain. Is like riding in the shower with a hose pipe in your face !!! It's great fun. You should all try it. It's like some sort of pain endurance test. How long can you last?

Ok ive got a moan coming.  And it's to China.  Stop making stuff with moving parts. You are rubbish at it. Stick to soup and noodles! !!
My multi fuel cooker has already fell apart.  And my wind proof petrol light, has never once lit. I am now using my back up cooker, good old Hexi blocks and wind proof matches.

So, last night I saw a sign which was the French equivalent of the Ministry of Defence on a huge wooden area near L'Aigle. .......so I thought it would be probably easier to get in their, than some farmer field.

So I did.  Peeing it down again. I made myself a huge pot of Ravioli with Tabasco sauce. (Not wanting to use my boil in the bag packs).

Well. When it was time for bed  I put my rubbish bag and pot of ravioli about 10 m away from the tent. Put a lid on the pot, with a rock on it.

Well I'd like to report a theft !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I woke up to my rubbish bag everywhere.  And both pot and lid, with my ravioli stolen ! Wild Boer had ganged up and knicked my pot and breakfast. !!!!! How out of order is that. So I am sat here, just had a bacon sandwich, whilst writing this blog. Back at you Boer, I hope I ate your cousin.

So finally sorted oil and chain on bike and phone issues. Just need to find a bike charger on route now. And im sorted. Going to enjoy seeing Le Mans. Always wanted to go there. And then head towards the coast. So I can go around the Piarraneze, rather than over. Plus Biarritz sounds like they are Boer free.

Photos are from last night. Before the theft occured!!! Can't believe they stole my ravioli, the pot and the lid !!!!! Hhhhhhm baaaaaacon sandwich. ......

I do do a diary every night. Listen to some music and plan my next day.

Remember that I am suffering my Boer theft for wounded Servicemen.  Please press Help for Heroes logo and donate a bit of cash.

Will " I love bacon " Moore

As anyanyone on the Extreme Stunt Show. Will tell you.....I love my boots and shorts.

Leaving tomorrow. 2 pm . Blindley Heath. Surrey.

What a 10 months it has been. I sat in my nice little flat in Surrey last November.  I had only recently got a self employed position in the Film Industry. But still had big hankering to get a two year FTRS with the Army. (A 2 year full time contact. You can go on tour etc ). But due to an old back issue,( twice I had had a trapped Sciatic nerve ). I was unable to pursue it.

That's when riding to Mongolia, then changed to Johannesburg.  Was born. I wanted to combine righting a wrong, on behalf of wounded servicemen. And to challenge myself to do something outside of the box.

So blar blar. ....here we are ten months later.

I'm not going to name names. As there are so many. And just like the "thank you " speach at a wedding. You start naming, you just know someone's nose is going to be put out of joint.

So. From me the custodian of this Challenge. And the me that is doing it. " Thank you very much to all those who threw their hat in the ring ". Xxxxx

It's my website.  Twangs at the heart.

Couple of pics of the fully operational Van Van. Hope I can get it back out now. Lol

Catch you in France.Where eating cheese,block aiding and making love to your neighbors wife, are obligatory.Just saying.....

Will

Bike fixed. Wiring Loom repaired.We are all systems GO !

Dear Thieves......


This is what I have to say to you.

Yesterday i found my bike had been stolen.I found it 200 meters away with the wires all hanging out.Made an emergency A & E call to Aye Gee Suzuki, ( who I have never met before. ) And WOW ! They have been amazing. The wiring loom is all patched up and fixed. The DiD Heavy Duty Chain and Sprocket fitted. And the inner tubes all slimed up.Mega. Off to pick the bike up in a minute.

I will check the mighty Van Van out. Go through the final " To Do " List. Dangerous Brian is off to the Money Shop for me.And is going to get various currencies.( Hopefully for the countries I am actually visiting ) !!

I did manage to fit in the remainder of all my jabs yesterday. Despite Dangerous Brian taking me to a street with same name as the Surgery I was meant to visiting.But in completely the wrong part of London.!! Tower Rd Dartford. Brian.........not Erith !! lol Got there in the end. :)

So it's onwards and down wards from here on in. An Idiot Got Bored........The Slow Way Down is a go!!!!!

See you all at Blindley Heath. Surrey. Leaving at 1400 hrs. Outside The Biker Store.RH 76 JP. Come along and support the cause.

All for wounded servicemen. Many of whom are in wheel chairs. Having lost arms and legs in IED's.

Come on...Make a wee donation.It wont change your world. But together, we can change theirs!..Click the Help for Heroes Logo top right.Or stick a part of your children's inheritance in the Team Fuel Tank.

Speak soon. Ooool la lar. Here i come.


Will

3 Days Till Departure

I finished the 26 week tour with The Extreme Stunt Show on Monday. We worked every pay. 7 days a week.From 7 am to 10 pm. Then from 10 pm till 1 am I did admin and planning for this Challenge. Then, unfortunately, the generator was turned off.

Monday and Tuesday I spent picking up my car and bike. Hiring a van and man, to get my kit to Nottingham and London. Big " thank you " to Dangerous Brian for driving the van and really helping me out. ( Still dangerous though.) And also a big " thank you " to Beccy and Mark.Mark is slightly camp, but has been a great mate for over 17 years.Really appreciated staying over and " sorry " for taking over the kitchen floor and washing machine. George is just ace, but that puppy dog thing, was annoying.( Joking.Just was always under my right foot.). I must apologise to you both. As on one occasion I did give it a quick toe flick, to the other side of the room.lol. It loved being airborne.( See you soon mate.)

Today I have been working my way through my last " To Do " list.

Geee.......I don't know where to start. I have dyed the 58 Pattern Back Packs I'm using as bike,side panniers.  From green to black. I'm a civy and don't want to look too army.

Put the finishing touches to the First Aid Kit. It has the basics. Plasters. Bandages. 1 x First Field Dressing. (If shot, will hold a pint of blood. ) Various pills for stomach and botty issues. Anti Inflammation, not Inflation, as i did put.And heavy duty pain killers. Anti septic wipes,scissors and a bag of magic kisses for " boo boos".:)

A Wash Shaving Kit. No shampoo. No shaving gel. Just bars of soap and sand paper !!. Lol. Toothbrush and paste.( Normal.) 2 x High leathering soap bars,Gilette Sensor, with 20 razors. ( The best a man can geeeet !!)

Attached a 48 hrs Survival Kit to my 3 Lt water Camel Bak.( Goes on your back and you can drink water whilst riding.) Which includes, NRG 5 ration bars. Purification tablets. Ballons and socks, to make emergency water containers. (Put the balloon in water. Fill and place in sock  for support. ) Para cord. Compass and matches.

In my Enduro Jacket I have another First Field Dressing. Gerber multi tool. 48 hrs German Special Forces rations. And a mini First Aid kit. And some other bits. ( Bazoooka kept sticking out ).

Packed both side panniers.  With weight distribution being the priority.  I've kept the heavest kit low down. Close to the center of mass. So spares for the bike and rations are at the bottom.  All the 'sections ' are in re sealable bags. And the panniers are lined with heavy duty Rubble Bags. Tyre leavers are right at the bottom.  Sitting inside the panniers, parallel with the bike. Giving support, as the panniers sit on the rear luggage rack. Huge " thanks " to Tony Bailey for building it. (I did paint it ). ;)

In total I have a good 20 days of rations. Including Energy powders and the most important thing. ...............tea bags ! !!!

I shall only use the ' boil in the bag 'packs when totally isolated.  Or I feel a tad reclusive, due to the environment.!! Otherwise, it will be a constant search for water, petrol and food. In that order .

I have also had the Gortex tent up in the lounge.  Fantastic bit of kit. Many, many thanks to Jason. Checked my Vango Self Inflating bed mat.( " self "...read, "you blow it up".) And US Army issue dos bag. Mega comfy and warm. With detachable membrane.

I've also checked and packed the Multi Fuel stove.24 hr rations. Cooking pots. And bike tool kit.  All fitting in the rear Top Box. Although I do need some bits tomorrow.

Down sides today. My bike Hand Guards came as two right handers!  Left one should be here Friday.  Or I will look a right plonker.

And the tyre pump arrived broken.  So was unable to Slime the inner tube. ( Green slime sits inside the inner tube. When exposed to the air, due to a puncture.  It expands into the hole and goes hard.). Will buy another pump tomorrow and slime to my hearts content. Other slight issues, was NHS wouldn't even entertain giving me any vacations!!! As I would have to register . Annoying.  So will have to pay for them somewhere.

Lastly I packed my personal kit. Didn't take long. 2 x t shirt. 1 x trousers with zip shorts. 2x boxers and socks. Plus what I have on under my Enduro Suit. Ok. So I won't be out Clubbing. But I have got what I need.

Took plenty of photo s as I was going along today. Doing this on my phone. As it is how I will do it once under way.

See what you think. ??? Leaving.... ever so slowly.Saturday 14 th Sept. @ 1400 hrs. Blindley Heath. The Biker Store. Surrey.

New blog tomorrow
.

Will

Its all for wounded sericemen. Hair be Le Josh Grinrod.

Click Help for Heroes logo,top right.And become a mega star.xx

No I am not bloody kidding.All to fit ( plus loads more), on a 125 cc bike. Named " Stealth"..as its all but silent. Due to having a Pop Corn machine,as an engine.( Just saying).

3 Lt water Camel Bak. 48 hrs Emergency food.NRG 5. Mini First Aid Kit. FFD.Mints. Matches.Anti septic wipes.

Hair by Le Josh again.Camel Bak full with 3 Lt water.And Survival Kit.

Sleep over......Goretx tent all works. Bought extra pegs.

5 Star after living in the bunk waggon for 6 months !

Yep ! Just got the right Hand Gaurd...Left arrives on Friday.....i hope !

Wash Shaving Kit. No shampoo,conditioner,shaving gel here. :)

7 months...and here are my entire personal clothes! plus what i have on.

Space matters big time.3 x pots and handle.LED head torch. Sweeteners and  tea bags.

Multi fuel head. Water purification gadget fit into pot too.

Tabasco Sauce.Must have...when you cook like me.! Covers all burnt bits.

Water proof and wind proof matches in the pot too.And else where as back up to my petrol lighter.

Who remembers these ? Will use in Europe and buy tins from top supermarkets only. Such as Lidle and Aldi !Its the way i roll.

Energy drinks to give me bounce...lol