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

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

Buying the kit.20 Days to go !!!!!!

Unlike women, we men don't go shopping for shoes, nails or hair extensions. We go shopping for man toys. These last few days I have been on light duties with The Extreme Stunt Show. As I managed to fracture my left shoulder bone.My main worry is doing too much and turning a fracture into a break. Which would mess everything up.But it seems to be knitting together and another few days, should see the sling come off.

In the mean time I have been on E Bay and buying some of the kit I need for the expedition and the bike.Some of my new gems include a Multi Fuel Stove, Self Inflating 3 Cm mat, Purification tabs,NRG 5 Emergency Rations and cool as, Blue Hand Guards.

Those of you that follow this blog, will know I have put a shout out, on a number of occasions, for kit. As quite simply, my budget is too small. Having lost a major sponsoring company.Well, It never ceases to amaze me this Challenge.

From Army mates I have had Rations Packs donated ( Huge " Thanks " to Wee George Horn ).Im sure he has a Nuclear Bunker,and this is part of his stash ! A Gortex 2 man tent.( Curtisy of Jason till ) A 3 lt Camel Bak and water purification gadget. ( Again from Jason " the legend " Till ). A Gerber Multi tool, which are proper Gucci kit. And that from someone who I have never met. And had recommended to me from another website. ( Providers for Riders). Another " big thank you " to Melissa Hook and her boyfriend.Aka Mark75red. :) And  a possibility of some more compo from a couple of lads who served with 63 Para Sqn.5 Airborne. Now 16 Air Assault.And last night Geof Andrews ( another Army mate) donated a brand new DiD Chain and Sprocket set, for the mighty Van Van. !! Amazing support. Twangs at the heart strings really :)

The reality is, that without the support I have along the way, these past 10 months,this challenge would not have been possible.

So that is most of the major purchases covered.I am still on the look out for the following : Slam Plate, Disk Cover, Fork Gators,Universal Wind Screen,tyre levers,pump and a Solar Monkey Charger. If anyone can help with these items or anything else,please, please step forward.

We finish the tour on the evening of the 8 th September. And I depart @ 1400 hrs. Blindley Heath. Saturday 14 th September.Not having a home anymore, has meant I have had all the donated kit and e Bay purchases, sent a mates house near London.

The 5 days I have between finishing work and leaving are going to be mega, mega busy. To actually go, is going to be a relief in some ways.

I have my fingers crossed someone who is bike savy or a bike shop, will read this and help me give the bike the once over. Anyone help me out ? I have £250 worth of sponsored bike consumables from wemoto. I need to service the bike, change the front pads,rear shoes ( yes it has a rear drum brake ).Green slime the inner tubes.Adjust the clutch a tad and fit the new chain and sprocket.There after, it's brave pill, fingers crossed and go for it.

Some photos of the new kit on it's way to my mates house.Poor Dangerous Brian. His flat is going to be like a Parcel Force sub depot this week. :)

Kit on it's way includes....

Gerber Multi tool..

Was going to be this tent. A Vango Hydra. But will now be a Gor tex 2 man.

Part of Wee Jock Horns  bunker stash.

1 tab per 1 Lt. 20 mins shake and drink.

Runs on anything . Petrol,diesel and oil. Straight out of the bike tank.

So much to do and such little time.I am in desperate need to get this challenge into the National papers, so as to increase donations to wounded servicemen. Which is what this is all about.So all this week, after work, I shall be e mailing the papers and magazines. Soldier Magazine have said they are featuring it. And Adventure Rider Magazine may also do a write up. Fingers crossed.. We have raised over £2,000 and I look forward to seeing the £3,000 barrier broken with the national media coverage.

Sorry so long in coming. Hard trying to fit everything in at the moment. But am chipping away at it all. :)

Will

Rear rack and fuel containers finished.

Just finished building the luggage rack and fuel containers. I'm really happy with the outcome. She rides a little differently. But it all works perfectly. It's a big " Thank You " to Tony Bailey. Aka Tony International.

So far I have sprayed the bike white. From Yellow.  (Cheers Dave Lythcoe ).

Got a sponsored non slip blue seat cover. From P & P Seats.
Replaced the indicators with smaller rubber enduro ones. Replaced the standard front fork oil with monster truck oil. Removed the front fender for extra travel. Convered a shopping basket to a head lamp grill. Lol. And repositioned the rear indicators, to the back of the new rack.

So far so good. Only four weeks to go !!!!!

Check out the photos. ..

Luggage Rack

Hi all,

Only got ten minutes before the show starts.  So I shall let the pictures do the talking.

Myself and Tony International have just been building the luggage rack. And extra fuel holders.

What do you think ?

So far it's taken 8 hours.  But now have two ex army back packs as panniers.  A top box. (Fitted tomorrow ). And holders for 2x5Lt cans. Giving me a range of approx.350 miles.

Off to work.