Saturday, 30 January 2010

Not related to Cycling – but….

I’m also training for a Private Pilots Licence (PPL) – you can read about my progress (!) and experiences at : http://joewillis27.spaces.live.com/

Monday, 18 January 2010

Camping Equipment

Well I’ve been taking advantage of the January sales and getting myself various bits of equipment.   The camping equipment that I’ve got so far, has come from Millets, Field and Trek and The North Face.  See below.

 

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From left to right – top to bottom

  • Terra Nova Tent – Field and Trek
  • Down “Kilo” Sleeping Bag – The North Face
  • Self Inflating sleeping mat -  Field and Trek
  • X Large Microfibre Towel – The North Face
  • Medium Microfibre Towel – Millets
  • LED Weatherproof Torch – Millets
  • Camping Pillow – Millets
  • Groundsheet Protector – Field and Trek
  • Silk Sleeping Bag Liner – The North Face
  • Compass (top right) – Millets

Together all this lot weighs in at exactly 5.00 kg

In particular, I’d like to compliment Field and Trek (42 Maiden Lane, London WC2) – the service and advice provided there was really first class.  The Girl advising me even put up a tent in the middle of a busy store so I could try it out for size.

I’ve ordered a Bike plus Panniers and gear from Bromley Bike – delivery expected end January 2010.  More information when it arrives.

Weblinks

http://www.fieldandtrek.com/

http://uk.thenorthface.com/tnf-uk-en/

http://www.millets.co.uk/home.html

http://www.bromleybike.co.uk/

Sunday, 17 January 2010

Joe – The Demon Shopper

Joe has turned into a shopper from hell, searching out the items for his trip well in advance. We went to London the other day and the only shops we went into were camping equipment and outdoor gear specialists! He then lovingly unpacked all the items in front of the TV, blocking my view of Lewis, or Morse, or whatever I was vainly attempting to watch.

Big Wheel – What it’s all about

Myself and a friend, Pierre, have been talking for a while about doing a cycle trip across France.  Basic route is Calais, Le Touquet, Arras and on to Angers in the Loire Valley.  Overall distance is approx 700Km.  Coming back, we will take a train (TGV and Eurostar) from Angers back to London

So to move things on from talking about it to doing it, we discussed various dates and finally decided best dates were  14th to the 23rd May 2010.  Plan is to do the trip without a support vehicle – so we will need to carry all the camping gear and other items with us on the bikes.

We met up in a pub (Edgar Wallace nr Temple) on 14th Jan 2010 to look at options and actually made a decision to do it.

We will use this blog to give updates on planning and of course on the trip itself.  So keep an eye on this blog to see how we are getting on.