Not much left to do

We've been living with these for months...

Nearly all done

Only for the moto-enthusiast...

Final week stuff happening now and so to the final tool check. I know you're desperate to know.

With this lot we can do the following: change oil & filters; change air filters; remove & replace wheels and tyres; adjust and clean chain; repair punctures; remove & replace brake pads; remove bodywork as required - and possibly some other stuff.

Tools #1

12 & 10mm C-wrench, Right-angle pick, Small JIS crosshead, OEM cross-head & Screwdriver, Toothbrush (chain cleaning), 5mm hex & extension, Large wrench, Small wrench, Bead-breakers, Tyre levers, Adjustable spanner, 5mm T-handle hex.

Tools #2

Sockets: 27mm, 22, (adapters), 14, 12, 8, Headtorch, Gerber Multi-tool, Multi-meter leads, Wheel bearings, Fuses, Reusable pop-rivets (bodywork), Oil-seal cleaner, Oil filter tool, Multimeter, Cable ties.

Pump, etc.

Bike-battery operated pump, Digital tyre gauge.

Puncture repair kits

CO2 canisters, Puncture Repair Kit #1, PRK #2, Plugs, Gloves, PRK #3 (just to be sure).

All packed up and ready to go...

And this is what it looks like when it's packed and ready to stow (with the addition of 1 x spare inner-tube, one chain lube and two film canisters of Fairy Liquid [for tyre-changing]).

For the non-enthusiasts, don't worry, there won't be test questions...

The first leg...

Well, starting in nine day's time, here's the first bit;

Don't pay too much attention to the fine detail (we're intending to visit St Petersberg, Kaliningrad, Angelika's mum in Munich and Carcassonne - amongst others), but the broad outline is right. Just shy of 6,000 miles and three months - or so.

And after that - well, we'll see!

The best laid plans of mice and motorcycle travellers...

Revisiting the security aspect of the trip, we are reminded that the trip plan (see right) was always meant to be flexible.

Recently (in last three months or so), things have become a little more febrile in West Africa and the UK government has revised its travel advice for the area - advising more caution and outlining more areas that either should be avoided altogether (red) or should only be visited if absolutely neccesary (amber).

Nigeria

Cameroon

Now, we know that this is ultra-cautious advice, but it behoves careful wanderers to be aware of it. We are aware, and we'll be keeping a close eye on it as we approach the region. We may not make South Africa (we'd have to pass through Cameroon to get there) - but we'll decide on that in six or so months when we're closer to the scene. We have contacts in the area that we're communicating with, too, so we'll be properly clued in to the situation.

After all, six months touring Sengal, Mali, Cote d'Ivoire and Nigeria won't be too onerous. 😊

But we'll see...

Yes We Can! (The practise trip)

Practise run; Camp #1

Here's the end point of the dry run. Fully loaded, we took off for the weekend to discover the following: we can load the bike with all our trip gear and ourselves (just); we can ride two-up off road (standing); we actually like the freedom of camping (so long as we have chairs and China mugs).

Practise camp

Here's to 1st July.