Reviews and update.....

Been a good week.Chipping away at the weekly London to Johannesburg Admin. Doing the blog and seeing some good visiting numbers.From UK to USA. from Japan to Russia. It seems An Idiot Got Bored. The Slow Way Down.......( The Angry Pants are on )...!!! Is picking up steam. If you want to get involved, just e mail me. You never know. I have put my feelers out for some Motor Cross bits I am desperately in need of. Hand Guards, Disk cover and a Scott Oiler are at the top of the list.

So I have been out on the sandy beaches of both Redcar and Robinhood Bay, practicing for Africa.I don't think anyone is going to buy into these sleepy English Sea Side villages are like the Sahara Desert, but what do you do ? Riding in the sand is so different, and has shown me just how vulnerably the little bike is. It has been smoking a little since it's last outing. But has cleared up now.I am doing my best to do something for the Challenge when ever I can.Be it practicing on the bike, trying different pannier positions or maintenance. As soon as I've done the blog, I am off to adjust the chain. As it has stretched a bit. I also am going to take some of the Monster Truck oil out the front forks.As they are now rock hard. Now's the time to get all these things right. But I do feel time is not on my side. And there is so, so much still to do.

On the beach at Robinhoods Bay. England...( twin of the Sahara Desert..)

Now you've seen our miserable beaches, you can see why us Brits are always going on holiday abroad.Miami Beach, it is not !!! You can however, buy an over priced ice cream and get chased by the Police in a 4 x 4. ( It wasn't me ).

On top of Robinhoods Bay.

Whilst it's hard fitting everything around the Extreme Stunt Show. As we are on tour every day now, till 10 th September. I am enjoying, what can only be described as a  " roller coaster " of Planning & Preparation. My budget is so small and tight. That every penny counts. And at this stage, I am still in dire need of a Sat Nav. and Camping kit sponsors. Help !!!!

To follow The Extreme Stunt Show, as we trek across the UK..click the logo.........Scotland in two days. :)



Quick word on the boots I have gone for. They are Lowa Zepher GTX High. Anyone out there in the Forces will know of them. They are simply fantastic. As space and weight are major issues on the little 125. I am taking just one pair of boots. And these are the ones to go for.British Army issue and made in Germany.They are 100 % water proof and breathable.Ideal for Africa. I have no idea what the sole is made of, but they are as light as my trainers, ( sneakers for folks over that side of the pond ).And as comfortable as your favorite chair. ( I love good kit ).

It's Armed Forces day here in the UK. Where we show our support for those that commit the most to our country.And unfortunately get severely injured and maimed in the process.I am trying to help the men and women who loose arms and legs have a " normal " life again.I am dedicating 15 months of my life and over £6,800. All I ask is you help me to help them.If you click on the Help for Heroes logo below, you can make a donation safely and securely.


try this CLICK ON LOGO
Till the next time. Will

Mighty Van Van goes on a diet

So....the bike has gone on a crash  diet ....

Suzuki have taken the mud guards, side panels and tank off. Another great job done by Tom and the guys at
Suzuki Haslemere..Click to go to  Tom in service dept.

They are now on their way to be painted white. Courier collects on Monday. £11 to the other side of the country. Not too bad! The bike will be a blank canvas then. As the graphics will be going on. Including "London2Johannesburg" and the Union Jack blending into the South African flag.  Should look very cool. And with the "text2donate" number on the side,hopefully some well earnt donations should go to our wounded servicemen.The charity I am doing this challenge for,is called Help for Heroes. They do amazing work for wounded servicemen. If you who I am trying to help by doing this 20,000km challenge. Dont leave it up to someone else. Please donate,the "others" never donate!!! It's up to you. Click donate,quickly and safley....Click below..
 Donate to Help for Heroes 

Dave Lythcoe is going to work his magic on the might Van Van. With his spray gun. Really looking forward to seeing the bike done.  Easy day today, Mount admin is about covered, for the time being. As soon as the bike is finished,it will be Press Release time and lots of Public relations work. All to raise awareness of our wounded servicemen. Who serve our country with such dedication,humour and ability. Over one £££thousand pounds now. Can you please donate to my challenge.Click here to go to HELP FOR HEROES donate 2 seconds is all it takes..

Time to get some work, so I can pay for this challenge!! :)

I dream of a shoe string....

More good news on the kit front. Debs off Freecycle was kind enough to provide me with some fabric panniers.Top bag and tank bag. So another "thank you " there too.They seem robust,but I will soon find out,when I go practicing on the bike. Putting me,the bike and all the kit through there paces. I am still seeking a kit sponsor.These panniers will do for the time being. But the Denier needs to be higher and I'm not sure if they are big enough. Time will tell.

I am on the chase for a Garmin 2610 off scam bay ( e Bay ). And am trying to win the top half to my BMW Ralley 2 trousers. Well,they are the 20 yr old version. I wonder if Ewan Mcgregor had to do all this himself. I keep Tweeting him for his helmet,and he just keeps ignoring me.!!! I think he has gone to the Dark Side ! The cheek. ( So I've thrown my Star Wars DVD away as a result ) :)

So Suzuki now have all the parts and soon as they are done,the bike will be off to be painted and " London 2 Johannesburg " logos put on. The seat sent off to be recovered. And then it will be PR time,to raise awareness of the plight our wounded servicemen go through. Most of whom have lost limbs.!!Imagine loosing YOUR legs ! Come help them,with me. Donate a few quid here. (Another Hyper link look .) Click  here to donate to Help for Heroes 

This challenge is costing me thousands of pounds. I'm just an average Joe. Please make my hard work do some good, by donating to my Help for Heroes page above. Thank you.

Chuck Yeager broke the Sound Barrier

Dear Diary.

Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier. But today,thanks to one Darren Hinch we broke the £££££ one thousand pound barrier. Click to go to my charity. Help for Heroes page

If you like what I am doing and why. Spend 2 minutes donating a few $$,££ or Euro to my charity webpage above. Thanks.

Suzuki are sponsoring me their expertise and labour for the challenge. Today wemoto parts, confirmed they would sponsor me parts for the mighty Suzuki RV 125.Van Van.!!!!!! Buzzing over it.Check them out at wemoto

John was just fantastic,offering to connect this blog site (more people laughing at me) to wemoto's website.
So as soon as the new bits arrive I shall be wiz zing down to Suzuki Haslemare to have them fitted.
Also on the sponsorship front. BCB Wales have confirmed there will be providing some support too. They are just awaiting the return of the MD from abroad. They supply the British Army and a number of Special Forces around the world. With all the threats on this challenge,as i cross Africa.The last thing I want is rubbish kit.So wait out,and we shall see what BCB come back with. Fingers crossed.
When I was on the blower to Bennetts Bike Insurance,I explained what I was doing and why. They have said they will try and link this blog site and the Help for Heroes page,to their website. I'm still on the look out  for a bike kit sponsor. Spada Sting and good Denier panniers anyone :)

All in all,a good day on Mount Admin.( I was not designed for admin,but hey ho).

Tomorrow i shall be back on the blower,speaking to possible sponsors and will update as I go along.

Trying to change the background colour of this blog site and put an out line of the African continent on it.

Speak soon. Will

An Idiot Got Bored. The Slow Way Down. Captains Blog...

The route from London to Johannesburg. 2 Continents. 19 Countries.20,000kms.Solo and unsupported.

"Hi" this is me running in Death Valley.

I am an ex soldier and for the past 10 weeks I have been researching and planning this challenge. From
London to Johannesburg on a 125 cc bike. I am doing it in conjunction with Help for Heroes charity.( H4H)  All donations go straight to H4H, and are for our wounded servicemen. Many of whom have lost arms and legs.

Can you imagine that ? Can you help with a penny or two ? It only takes 2 minutes and will mean allot .

London 2 Johannesburg .Help for Heroes Click the donate page.Be a hero for Help for Heroes

 I depart from London on September the 3rd and expect this epic challenge to take between 4 and 6 months to complete. Ewan Mcgregor and Charley Boorman maybe did the Long way Down. Well,on a 125, im doing the Slow Way Down! It is 20,000 kms, across two continents, 19 countries. Over mountain ranges,across deserts. Through vast areas of famine and civil war. All done solo and unsupported.No personal Dr. No " Fixers" at the 19 borders.No armed guards to protect me.And nobody there when I break down. Run out of petrol or water. Lions have me trapped up a tree.Or a snake in my tent. I'm doing it solo and unsupported. To gain your attention and hopefully support.And a donation on the Help for Heroes page on here.  Because this cause means allot to me. I am taking 8 months off work and funding this challenge myself. But i shall be knocking on doors and asking companies to sponsor me. Time will tell :)

Did you really know just how big Africa was ? Look at it again......awesome!!!! ( As our American cousins always say )


 After much research. I have bought the mighty Suzuki RV 125 Van Van from a lad called Zak. A private sale down in the New Forest.Its a 2003. Basically its sound mechanically,but does need a few bits. Having put my case and the reasons for the challenge forward. Mark the Manager and Tom the Service Manager at Suzuki Haslemare, kindly agreed to sponsor me some labour and advise. :) Means allot. Big thanks to them. Very helpful. Check them out here..send my regards.Click here Suzuki Haslemere. .

The mighty Van Van on its way to Suzuki to begin its make over. Kendal van hire kindly sponsored me a Transit van for the princely figure of a tenner.!! Mark was just great. He also linked our Help for Heroes webpage to his website. Take a look and wait 5 secs as the screen changes..Click here.See Kendal van Hire

Me at 7 am looking terrible.On the way to Suzuki.( Still handsome though )...:)  Other companies that have got involved include,a bike spraying company. A graphics company,who have been just great.Big thanks to Daz at Motorcycle Graphics.net. Really helpful and came up with the idea for the flags.(I thought about taking the credit )Ask for Daz at Motorgraphics

He is putting "London2Johannesburg" on the tank and the Union Jack and South African flag,blending into each other. And a "Text2Donate" number on the sides.

He also is providing me a banner to cover the side panniers. This will be in Help for Heroes blue. As will the seat,as Penny at P&P seat covers has sponsored me a seat cover. Very nice lady too Click here P& P Seats ask for Penny




So the bike is coming together and should be all checked out and logo-ed up in two weeks.

 As an ex soldier,I think our servicemen who have been wounded in battle,get used and abused by our government. They are quick to send them to war.But when they have lost arms and legs,they don't want to know.Its why this challenge is personal to me. It's also why I'm funding it and taking six months off work to complete it. ( Not to mention running up Mount Admin daily). If you like what i am doing and why. Please take a sec and make am donation. A fiver, a tenner or some land in Malaga. I don't mind. Its costing me allot of money to do this challenge. And several months of my life.Your donation makes it worth while. Please click to donate a few $ or £'s Click here.. Be a hero ...Help for Heroes please,please donate. Make my hard work, worthwhile.

Will