Training on sand

Trying to do this blog on my new phone.  As when under way, this is the way I will be doing it. Hopefully !

Well,  we have had a set back with one of the sponsors. Which has left a gap in the budget. I am putting in £5, 300 but now need to find an additional £1, 800. No mean feet. So far I have begged and borrowed a further £1040. And an army mate has sorted £500. So we are on a tight, tight budget.  Back on track.

( I haven't accounted for gettting back though. )

Been on tour with The Extreme Stunt Show this past two weeks.  And found myself near a beach. So thought I'd start to learn ridding on sand.

I gave it a few steady runs on the wet sand. And into some seaweed covered rocks. And was just getting into it. When the Police arrived. !!!! So not wanting to interupt their duties.  I pretended not to see them. And went like the desert wind.:)

The Biker Store called last week.  One of their customers is a TV Producer. He has kindly offered to do an interview to promote An Idiot Got Bored.  The Slow Way Down. ..( The Angrier Pants are on. ) !!!!

This will go on YouTube and also on this blog.

Hopefully the donations will increase and maybe a Camping and Sat Nav sponsor may want to get involved.  Hint hint. ...

Ok. I'm going to see what this looks like. Share this page and please make a donation.  Every penny is going straight to help wounded servicemen.  Most of whom have loat arms and legs.Click here to donate to Help for Heroes. London to Johannesburg on a 125 .

Will

Clock is ticking..12 weeks and counting.

So much to do and yet so little time.

Well The Extreme Stunt show has been off the road for over a week now. This was my only opportunity to get everything in place for September 14 th. As often is the case, not everything moves at the pace you would like it to.

I do have a list of kit that the bike needs for Africa. But unfortunately Suzuki can not provide, as they don't make any accessories for the Van Van. And despite Technicians trying at Suzuki HQ in Milton Keynes. Retro fitting the bits I need for the Challenge, just didn't fit.So it's very disappointing, but now I am going to use the magical power of the internet and this blog. And see what we can come up with.

Ok. Begging time.The mighty Suzuki Van Van is in dire need of the following. ( Don't dose off.....I will be asking questions at the end .)

1).Front Fork Gaiters. 2.) Front Disk Guard. 3.) Head Lamp Guard. 4) Hand Guard. 5) Universal Slam Plate.
6) Fabric Side Panniers.600 Denier. 7) Sat Nav holder.8) 12 v sockets 9) 12 v tyre pump.10) A million pounds £££

1 to 9...if anyone or company can help me, please contact me on willmoore368@hotmail.co.uk  The bike needs this kit to go through the off road parts of Africa. Of which there are loads. Not to mention the Sahara desert, both Eastern and Western !!! Can anyone help me with sponsorship ?

The admin on a challenge like this is absolutely massive. I know most folk are going to think it all starts on September 14 th at Blindly Heath. Surrey.Outside The Biker Store. But I assure you, it's took hundreds of hours of admin to get to this point.

Injections !!

Great day out at the local surgery. Lost count of all the jabs I had. So much for " free state medicine ". ( Don't do it USA.) I lived in NJ for 2 years. Your system is light years ahead of what we have in the UK.
So despite " free social medicine " in the UK. I just paid for Hepatitis B & A. Diphtheria. Tetanus.Polio. Typhoid .Yellow Fever and Cholera at a cost of £130.

All painless enough though.Did make me think of all the diseases I am going to come across. Normally we have these injections and think nothing of it. But when I get to the likes of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola. It will all become very, very real !

Right, I am off to the library and download my Carnet de Passage documents from the RAC. This is similar to a persons Passport. It's a right of passage for the bike, from one economic global zone to another. It's costing just shy of £800 of the Queens Pounds. If you are American.......that's $1200 bucks. And for the  4 people I keep seeing in Japan reading this blog.( behind the scenes Statistics button )........loads and loads of Yen .( But not shed loads ! )
Back on tour with .....Just Click Logo

Where we are off to the Nissan plant in Washington. North East England.To do the Extreme Nissan Torque Show...so why not come along. There will be around 12,000 people there.Bikes, quads, drift cars and Monster Trucks. Should be great. Then we make our way up the coast and into sunny Scotland for 6 weeks. Really looking forward to practicing off road up there.

Remember i am giving up 15 months of my life and doing this 25,000 km challenge, all for wounded servicemen. These men and women are sent by politicians to war.But when they come back without any arms and legs, there isn't any money for them !!! Yet, there is £12 Billion available in " aid " for those who are not British and have never done anything for this country.!!!!!!!!!!! I think that's wrong, beyond belief. I am doing something about it.But my efforts are wasted without YOUR support . Click the Help for Heroes logo below and make a donations. How ever small, they all add up. Many thanks. try this CLICK ON LOGO

Will Moore

The Positives and the negatives.

Let's get the negatives out the way first. Firstly, the bike is in need of a number of accessories. Such as fork gators, F/ Disk cover, Headlamp cover, Hand Guards, Rear rack and water container holders....the list goes on. And unfortunately,  Suzuki can only support me with genuine Suzuki accessories.  Which there aren't any for the Van Van. Gutted.

So if there is anyone out there, that can help, please e mail me.

Sponsorship. Not an exciting subject.  But without it, I couldn't do this 25, 000 km African challenge. This week's knock backs inude. GoPro helmet cams, Virgin and British Airways. And BCM

If I can't get back, there maybe a " An Idiot Got Bored. The Slow Way Up ".!!!!

I'm just going to keep chipping away at all the administration.  It's a monster.!

Doom n gloom over. The Nottingham Evening Post are featuring the story on Monday.  So keep your eyes peeled for that. Fingers crossed it generates some good donations. :))

Last night this blog site started getting loads of visits. After a little investigation.  I found out a Dutch author, living in France had written a piece on this challenge. So " cheers " mystery man. Google " news.motorbiker.org." Writing this on my phone.  If I can put the link in, I will.Try ...and read about the Challenge.

Lastly, I wanted to thank The Biker Store, who sponsored me a great AGV helmet. And Suzuki,  who sent me up some clothing and top bag.

That's all for now.

Will

Exact departure date, time and location

Depart Saturday .September 14 th. 1400 hrs. From The Biker Store. Blindley Heath. Surrey. RH76JP. England.

Wow, two blogs in two days !! I am trying to cram all admin. for the challenge in the next ten days. So, here we go. Sponsoring company TaskForce Distribution are sending me a pair of Lowa Zepher GTX Gortex Desert boots. They will be at my mates house in Nottingham today. They are the same boot used by the British Army. As I have to travel very light, I shall be taking one pair boots for ridding, walking and the odd tribal dance. This is the boot I really wanted and TaskForce Distribution have been kind enough to get behind the challenge and sponsor me. So it's a big, big " thank you " from me. Here is there site. Just click the boot below..



Johanthan at The Biker Store,they have a massive store, has really helped me out too. He is sponsoring me a AGV AX 8 DS helmet. ( I just had to go for Titanium.Proper boys colour. )Some goggles, gloves and " technical underwear ". I am at a loss as to what that is. But they sound good !! Click their logo to check out the store. All these goodies are on their way to my mates house. His neighbors are going to busy with couriers leaving boxes. :) I have just got an e mail from Suzuki GB. There has been some Red tape about ordering accessories for the challenge. That being that Suzuki Japan can only sponsor me Suzuki Van Van genuine accessories. Which creates a problem. As they don't make any !!!! So the solution is a loop hole within their ordering process. I will update you all as soon as I know more. But it looks like Hand Guards, F/ Gaiters,F/ Disk Cover and high grade Denier panniers can be sourced. All my bits are crossed.:) On the media coverage front. The Nottingham Evening Post have said they will cover the story.The editor is calling me on Monday. Gaining coverage is an area I am concentrating on over the next few days off.The more coverage, hopefully, the more donations. I am ridding over 20,000 kms. Solo and unsupported, cross UK, France, Spain, Morroco, Mauritania, Mali, Gambia, Nigeria, Angola..the list goes on.Some of these countries are in bloody civil wars and not to mention I have to cross the Western Sahara Desert and Eastern Sahara Desert. Help me to help wounded servicemen who have lost arms and legs. Click the Help for Heroes below and make a donation. Here try this CLICK ON LOGO

Stunt Show stops and An Idiot Got Bored. The Slow Way Down begins again.

Hi all That's ten weeks, seven days a week finished on the The Extreme Stunt Show. We have been touring all over the UK, and have done some sixty odd cities already. The show now has two weeks off, to fix bits that have been damaged. Here try this CLICK ON LOGO
I have now given up my flat, as I was giving it up anyway in September. And am writing this sat in McDonald's Stratford Upon Avon. Using their free wi fi.( I'm such a class act. )And staying in a caravan for the next 3 months. We go back on tour in two weeks, starting with The Extreme Nissan Torque Show. Which should have about a 10,000 crowd. Then it's off to sunny Scotland for 6 weeks. Really looking forward to it, but I must get everything done for the challenge in September in these two weeks. I cant begin to tell you how long my " To Do " list is. HQ. An Idiot Got Bored. The Slow Way Down. ( McDonald's )Help me out by donating to my charity. I have just spoke with The BikerStore in Surrey. And Johnathan has helped the challenge out, big time. He had offered to sponsor me a enduro suit worth over £500. But Suzuki have asked that I wear their suit, as part of their sponsorship. So Johnathan is sending me a AGV AX 8 DS helmet, gloves, goggles and " technical underwear " to me instead. I have no idea what " technical underwear " is. But might have a special edition, after 9pm, late night blog with the results !! Suzuki GB have sent a " box of goodies " to my mates house. So I should have lots of Suzuki T shirts, jackets and base ball caps waiting for me. If only Suzuki did beer !!! View from my bike.The stunt show performed at The Royal Welsh Showground. I took the mighty Suzuki Van Van off road into the hills behind the venue. This blog was running at up to 400 visits a day. And I feel a bit disappointed in myself that I've not been able to update it regular enough.So I will try put some time to one side every week and share the news. Me pretending I don't know there is a camera there. :) I like doing the blog and sharing the news. It does let me know how far the challenge has come. And all from my thoughts way back last Novemeber. So " thank you " to those who have e mailed me and made donations to my charity. I am doing this all for wounded servicemen. Can you help me ? My Help for Heroes webpage is here. If you had lost your legs serving your country, wouldnt you want to walk again ? That's what this all about.... Here try this CLICK ON LOGO
If you have any ideas, comments or want to get involved, just e mail me. willmoore368@hotmail.co.uk The Comments facility on this blog is turned off. As some urchin was spamming me with links for" Manhood extension pills "!!! ( I just wondered how he knew !! ) Speak soon,will update in a few days with the news. AND PLEASE MAKE A DONATION TO MAKE IT ALL WORTH WHILE. Will :)

Suzuki Great Britain sponsor the challenge.

What a few weeks I have had. I am working seven days a week for a touring Stunt Show. 150 odd dates across all of the UK. So time is of a premium.

When I set off on my journey in September, I had planned to give up my rented flat. It costs me over £1000 per month. But, doing this stunt show, has enabled me to give it up early. So whilst I am officially homeless, I will be saving over £6,000 in rent and bills for the period. Not to be sniffed at !!

The mighty Suzuki Van Van is with me on tour now as well. So I am busy practicing, put myself and the bike through the paces. In the process of taking the bike on and off the truck twice a day. It has acquired a few minor battle scars. But nothing a can of white spray can't sort out.

Mods. to the Van Van so far include. A full re spray in white. raising of the front fender by 40 mm. Three cap fulls of thicker oil in each front fork and a enduro rear brake light.The new non slip, Help for Heroes blue seat cover has turned out to be brilliant. The bike is really comfortable to ride. Which was one of the reasons I chose the Suzuki Van Van.

BIG NEWS TIME!!!

Suzuki Great Britain  have signed up to sponsor me!! James and the crew invited me to Suzuki Towers in Milton Keynes last week. I only had 60 minutes to meet them all. I had one person checking out my sizes for an Adventurists Suit, whilst James did an interview. Then I shot off on the 70 mile trek back to the Extreme Stunt Show.

I can't tell you how pleased I am to have the backing of Suzuki GB. They are covering my Carnet de Passage. ( At a cost of £757 ). Have supplied me with a top Adventurists Suit and had my pick of the Suzuki clothes wear at the Head Office. A quality top bag / luggage. I've not seen it yet, but Emma says it's the business. One of those rubber ones that you can roll up. Just need to fabricate a suitable rack and source some decent denier side Panniers. Anyone out there want to help me on that ? Please e mail me. My address is on the right hand side of this blog. :)

Suzuki GB are also providing me with free labour , parts and accessories.They are also willing to ship any bits to Africa or reimburse me via my Suzuki Traders account we have set up.

Me outside Suzuki Towers on the mighty Suzuki Van Van last Friday. ( I think !! No idea what day it is or where I am doing this job ).

The other great news about teaming up with Suzuki is their Public relations Dept. James has been busy writing a feature on the challenge in the Suzuki Magazine. Hopefully more people will read about what I am doing and who it's for. And make a donations.

Read the Suzuki feature on the 20,000 km solo and unsupported challenge. From London to Johannesburg on a Suzuki Van Van .CLICK TO READ STORY

Other news include. Suzuki World Super Bike team are promoting the challenge !! How cool is that ? The Suzuki WSB rider Leon Camier is being asked to hold either a banner or have something put on his fuel tank. That something being our Text to Donate number. He will have it on the Donnington race in England, later this year. If you like what I am doing and the fact every penny is going to wounded servicemen. Most of whom have lost arms and legs. Please, please pick up your mobile phone now. And text WALK to 70900 and make a £5 donation today.

Here try this CLICK ON LOGO

You can also visit my charity donations page by clicking the Help for Heroes logo below.

Sorry for the delay. Between not having any internet connection, due to being some field. And working from 7 am to 10 pm 7 days a week. It's been hard to put pen to paper as it were. But things are coming together.

If anyone has any ideas on how to promote the challenge, please e mail me. And if anyone would like to get involved  again, please email me.

That's all for now. Please share this blog on your Twiter and Facebook pages and lets raise the £15,000 I'm aiming for.

Will

The Good and The Bad news.

Well it's been four weeks since the last blog. Mainly down to my Summer job, working as on a touring Stunt Show. We are doing 140 odd, back to back dates, across all of the UK. It is long, long hours, seven days a week. So sorry for the delay, but work must come first to pay for the challenge in September. So what's been happening ? Well, I do have some magazines that want to feature the challenge. But have been waiting for the sponsoring graphics company to send the " London 2 Johannesburg " tank graphics. And the " Text WALK to 70900, to donate £5 today " banners. Short of it is,they messed it up. A sub contractor to the graphics company has all the information. And has had a big fall out. So that's the bad news. The knock effect has been, that there has been a delay in taking the challenge to a national level. And a subsequent loss of donations to my charity. Help for Heroes. Who assist in the recovery of wounded servicemen, who have predominantly lost arms and legs. The next 22 weeks, working 7 days a week is to pay for the 20,000 km solo, unsupported challenge. From London to Johannesburg on a Suzuki 125 Van Van!! So please do your bit and sponsor me. By clicking the Help for Heroes logo below. It's a UK registered charity. And a donation can be made quickly, safely and securely. Here try this CLICK ON LOGO
Although the situation with the graphics company has been frustrating, to say the very least. I do have some good news. Help for Heroes are now featuring this challenge on their main website. As an inspiration to others. So I feel pretty honoured about that. But slightly embarrassed. The big news is that I have been in contact with Suzuki GB for several weeks now. Their Public Relations Department have e mailed me twice, to say they are 99% sure of a full sponsorship agreement. Which is music to my ears. But I will leave it at that. As there are a few ifs and buts. But it's looking very good. I thought I'd try and post a quick video of some of the stunt stuff we do too. So check it out below.

Click to see our Stunt Show FMX riders..Free Style Motor Cross flying through the air.


  Some more good news. despite the graphics hick up. I did ask Adventure Rider Magazine to go ahead with their feature. They gave a nice write up about the challenge. And put the donations page link at the bottom. Take a look at the article.Click Adventure Rider Magazine to read  Before I leave you for a few days. I just had to show you our two Monster Trucks. If you are a parent of a child about 3 ft tall ( Im not a dad, no idea of ages). take them to a show. They love them. And finally....a touring Stunt Show glamorous? What do you think to where we live ? It's a converted truck trailer. Very roomy !! One last comment. Please, please help me to raise donations. Re post this blog and tell your friends. But most importantly, link the Help for Heroes logo above yourself. Your £20 or whatever you choose all adds up. We have £1300 so far. My aim is £15,000. Will

The Suzuki Van Van is all white you know !!

Some inter net and laptop problems here. Not to mention washing machine and burnt dinners !! I managed to break the washing machine and burn the Fraybentos and burn out the laptop out. All in 24 hours. Can't wait to see what I break tomorrow.!!  Well the bike is back together, complete with it's new white paint work. Looks pretty good, me thinks. Very happy with it. Big " thank you " to The Stig. aka Dave. The graphics will be here Tuesday. But I start my new job with Xtreme Events on Monday. So they will go on when I return in fortnights time. ( Two weeks, if you are across the pond.) 

I'm working with a Stunt Show touring the UK, with 130 dates across the length and breadth of the country. It's good news for me, as I can give up my thousand pound a month rented flat up. And move into a caravan, as we tour the country. Those savings are paying for this challenge in September. I need to find seven thousand pounds by then. To cover the excitement, but necessary  Carnett de Passage. ( Import document for the bike. ) It's costing seven hundred and fifty seven pounds. Visa's at thirteen hundred pounds. Food and Accommodation for 6 months. Flight and bike shipping home. The list goes on and on. By the way, I cant get this new ( ten year old ) laptop from US English into proper English. So the keyboard keys have one symbol on, but do another. The Pound currency symbol is now #.....Which is a hash in the UK. And just to confuse, is known as a pound symbol in USA. It all started going wrong with the washing machine. So hey ho. Back to the bike.

Note the front fender has been raised 40 mm. To allow a bit more space for mud, as the Rainy Season will kick in in October whilst in Africa. Big Dave fabricated the brackets and fitted them, how clever is he ? i will probably get a front fender extender too. Money permitting that is. 

What do you think to the Mighty Van Van from this angle ? What a beast. Those rear tyres are rare, as a result I shall be ridding as is to southern Spain. And whilst I have a day off with an old Army mate, the local dealer will provide some brand new V rubber. Again budget permitting, I will either buy a second one brand new. Or take this one with me.The tank, as you can see. Is very small, only 7.5 lt. Which just will not cut it going through the Sahara Desert and beyond. So, after the PR work is done, this tank will have to be replaced by a larger one. Possibly a DRZ. Hopefully from Suzuki GB. And upon my return to the UK, I will swap them back over.

I also found out today that the speedo wasn't the right one for the bike. It was actually from a Honda and the Dash wiring was all wrong. Put the Indicator on and the Neutral light comes on, that sort of thing. No stress though. We are going to fit a digital bicycle speedo instead. They probably can go faster than my little Van Van anyway ! The dealer said they are twenty pounds, instead of four hundred for a pattern Suzuki one! The bike will most likely spend more time horizontal, than vertical anyway. So that's the way we shall go.

If my washing machine persists in being possessed. I am going to take a picture of  it, put it on the blog and name and shame it. The Italians should stick to making fast cars and spaghetti  Not washing machines. Indesit.............more like  In The Sh#t !!! 

I won't ask you to make a donations to my cause. As non of you ever do. Nearly 4,000 visits to this blog and 4 donations to my charity. Shocking !

Will

Text ....WALK...to 70900 to donate £5.

Text ....WALK...to 70900 to donate £5 today.

Help for Heroes have given the go ahead for my " Text 2 Donate " number. As it says above. You just text " WALK " to 70900 and £5 will be donated to Help for Heroes. The donation will go straight to our wounded servicemen. Fantastic news. Help for Heroes will update the An Idiot Got Bored. The Slow Way Down challenge donate page on a Friday. I have high hopes for the ease of donation for you reading this now.  Go on, make a difference. Text WALK to 70900 and donate £5 today. :)

In my little quest to actually understand this thing they call a computer. You can now click on Logos and pictures, and that will link you to another page. Just like websites where they know what they are doing !

Here try this CLICK ON LOGO
Yes I know, it's witch craft. And if you look at the top of this Home Page. There is now another page ! I know, what's going on !! Titled SPONSORS There is more druid wizardry going on. Check it out and click logos. There has been a frustrating delay over Graphics and the legal stuff with the above Text to donate Terms and Conditions. But all sorted now. Hence it being activated. Yeeeeeeeaaaaa. The bike has been put back together at Suzuki Haslemere. And I will be collecting it at the weekend and putting on the " London to Johannesburg " graphics on the tank. Yep..its a new toy. CLICK ON LOGO. I have also been to see Johnathon at The Biker Store. Who showed me around the RST Adventure suit and trousers. Plus the AGV AX 8 DS helmet they are sponsoring me. ( Check out older blogs to see the kit. ) Now guess what you can do with the logo ..:) I do have some major, major sponsorship news pending. I don't want to jinx myself. So I shall leave it until it has been confirmed 100 %. On the personal front. Whilst doing this blog, i have just been offered a job. Working as crew with a Show called Xtreme. It's all about Monster Trucks, racing bikes and cars. It's touring the UK next week, until September. So that suits me down to the ground. And yes.....CLICK the LOGO as see my new job. Remember who I am doing this for. This blog and all the background work take hours upon hours. It is a Full Time, unpaid job for me. The donations to the Help for Heroes charity, generated by this challenge, is my payment. And after nearly 3,500 Visits to this blog. I have had 3 donations !! The rest of the donations have come from friends. So have a heart, if you leave it for someone else to donate. They will too. And sooner or later I will realise there is no point to writing this blog.

Nearly there......

Big shout out to Bermuda. I don't know why, but there are lots of visits to the blog from there. ;) And also to the one chap in Cyprus :)......150 to 400 visits a days not bad hey ?

Been a frustrating few days. The graphics company are very busy. So I am still waiting. Everything else is here and ready to go on the bike.Good news is the new seat is here. In Help for Heroes blue. ( That's the charity I'm doing this for. ) Its also non slip. Looks and feels great. Big thank you to P & P Seats for sponsoring me this .

 

Dave Lythcoe sent the tank, mud guards and side panels. All painted white, so that the graphics will stand out.  I look forward to them arriving, so I can take the photo's that Adventure Rider Magazine have asked for .

.

  

Above are all the bits back from Dave's. I don't use that much wrapping at Christmas Dave !!

Another bit of good news, is that in addition to my local Suzuki Dealership sponsoring me. Suzuki GB have expressed an interest. So we shall see, and I will update you and when I know more. I going over to The Biker Shop on Monday to get sized up for my sponsored RST Adventure suit. So excited about that.:)

For those of you who have jumped straight to reading today's blog. I wanted to explain why I am embarking on this solo, 20,000km, unsupported, African challenge.

Help for Heroes is a charity who help wounded servicemen. Most of whom have lost arms and legs.They provide first class surrounding, rehabilitation and prosthetic limbs. The objective being to give the servicemen a " normal " life again.

I'm just a regular guy on a regular wage.That has put together this challenge.I've invested 12 weeks planning full time and will spend a further 5-6 months to complete the 20,000kms across Africa.Can I ask you all to spend a minute and make a donation to my charity. Click on " Donate " and it takes you safely and directly to the charity page. Don't let someone else make the donation...grab your card and spend 2 minutes changing someone's life.Click on Donate CLICK DONATE

Will