The big departure!

The day finally arrived!! And what a day it was - 13 cyclists riding in a Peleton out of London with Karoline driving the support vehicle (with a megaphone for encouragement!) and my Dad and Julie meeting us for lunch in the middle of Essex.

The cycle team at 8am!

With only one puncture it was a successful but somewhat chilly morning - I started to worry how cold it might be when I get to the alps. We made it to the Wickham Bishops by 2pm for a nice pub lunch. Dad was late and had no phone signal so in true Keegan style we thought he had been in an accident - actually the day before he had taken his car for an MOT and the mechanic had crashed his car!!

After some tearful goodbyes the Gold Medal team set off for Harwich and made it in by 6pm - finishing off with a nice fish & chips on the Quayside.

Slightly blurry Gold Medal Team enjoying a winning drink

Thank you to everyone who came for making it such a speical day for me - it was the perfect way to launch into this adventure.

More blog posts to come shortly but now I must go out and see Wiesbaden with my host Bastian before it gets too late!

Research & Encouragement - lunch with Dan

On Monday I met up with Dan, who rode to Istanbul and beyond around 7 years ago, before changing his career to being a professional saxophonist. It was a desperately needed confidence boost for me; particularly that he had travelled at a similar time of year (I was getting worried about the impending cold) and he had achieved similar daily milage to my plan. 

I was excited about the number of people he had met and travelled with along the way. I hope a similar fate befalls me!

Many thanks to Dan. 

What's it all for?

Rather selfishly, this trip is for me! To quench my thirst for touring, to build my confidence by travelling alone, to gain perspective by meeting people from different places and to find time to think about the bigger picture.

However, I would like to use the opportunity to raise awareness about the work of Spokes East Kent Cycle Campaign. My mum was a dedicated cycle campaigner. She surveyed the optimum cycle route between Ashford and Canterbury with Sheila Webb around 20 years ago and the remaining links are now finally under construction. More detail here 
https://shareweb.kent.gov.uk/Documents/environment-and-planning/Countryside%20Access/AE663-Godmersham-and-Chilham.pdf

The cycle route offers a safe alternative to the exceedingly dangerous A28; connecting Ashford, Canterbury and the villages between them. This is expected to promote sustainable transport activity in the area as well as provide a beautiful path for walkers and cyclists.

Although the cycle route itself does not require financial support, as it will be built by the Council, we would like to build a seat along the route with a fantastic view over Chilham, with a plaque in memory of Mum and her work. A similar seat has been installed by Sheila on the stretch between Chartham and Canterbury as shown in the picture below.

As the seats are hand made out of solid green oak they cost around £5,000. It will provide a rest stop and great views for generations to come. 

If you are into cycling, walking, good views, sustainable transport or all of the above I would be exceedingly grateful for any support that you can provide to make this happen. I thought we could do this in the form of a game! Please make a pledge of whatever you can afford by commenting on this post (with your name) or sending me an email. At the same time tell me what you think the total mileage and average speed on the speedometer will be when I arrive in Istanbul. The 2 winners will receive a Turkish speciality from Istanbul! 

No money will be taken when you make the pledge, but when we are ready to place the order on the bench I will get back in touch and ask if you are still able fulfil your pledge. We will keep everyone updated with progress of the project and organise a trip to see it when it has been built. So everyone's donations are recognised I will also float the idea of having donor's names on a plaque as well.

The Route

Below is my planned out route with maps for each day - click the links to see the google maps. If you know anyone along the way that can put me up in exchange for stories or would like a coffee/beer and a chat let me know.

DATE	DESTINATION	Link	Miles
22/09/2012	HARWICH	http://goo.gl/maps/bouBx	77.5
23/09/2012	TILBURG	http://goo.gl/maps/RI4iP	68.7
24/09/2012	HEINSBERG	http://goo.gl/maps/AKeMD	65.1
25/09/2012	UNKEL	http://goo.gl/maps/pLnir	68
26/09/2012	WIESBADEN	http://goo.gl/maps/DXpTx	85.8
27/09/2012	WIESBADEN		0
28/09/2012	MINFELD	http://goo.gl/maps/otXvY	78.1
29/09/2012	FREIBURG	http://goo.gl/maps/cRMZe	95.2
30/09/2012	ROTHAUS	http://goo.gl/maps/6DrZ4	40.1
01/10/2012	ZURICH	http://goo.gl/maps/eytHP	44.2
02/10/2012	ZURICH		0
03/10/2012	BIEL	http://goo.gl/maps/3cMe1	72.5
04/10/2012	LAUSANNE	http://goo.gl/maps/uZbIX	60.9
05/10/2012	LONDON		0
06/10/2012	LONDON		0
07/10/2012	LONDON		0
08/10/2012	LONDON		0
09/10/2012	LAUSANNE		0
10/10/2012	VISP	http://goo.gl/maps/s9Q4j	86.9
11/10/2012	DOMODOSSOLA	http://goo.gl/maps/vLfdV	43.3
12/10/2012	VERGIATE	http://goo.gl/maps/1rYRy	49.7
13/10/2012	MILAN	http://goo.gl/maps/91v1p	38.3
14/10/2012	AROUND ITALY		0
15/10/2012	AROUND ITALY		0
16/10/2012	AROUND ITALY		0
17/10/2012	AROUND ITALY		0
18/10/2012	AROUND ITALY		0
19/10/2012	AROUND ITALY		0
20/10/2012	MILAN		0
21/10/2012	MILAN		0
22/10/2012	MILAN		0
23/10/2012	MILAN		0
24/10/2012	DESENZANO DEL GARDA	http://goo.gl/maps/xfTcv	73.3
25/10/2012	CITTADELLA	http://goo.gl/maps/CkulH	74.8
26/10/2012	CODRUPIO	http://goo.gl/maps/Mhuio	73
27/10/2012	IZOLA	http://goo.gl/maps/jSV6V	75.7
28/10/2012	RIJEKA	http://goo.gl/maps/vzmvI	67.6
29/10/2012	JABLANAC	http://goo.gl/maps/H4uwN	68.1
30/10/2012	SUKOSAN	http://goo.gl/maps/fczV9	71.9
31/10/2012	SPLIT	http://goo.gl/maps/TExf7	93.1
01/11/2012	PLOCE	http://goo.gl/maps/KZT1H	71.1
02/11/2012	MOSTAR	http://goo.gl/maps/CqbYb	45
03/11/2012	MOSTAR		0
04/11/2012	SARAJEVO	http://goo.gl/maps/d0Zhx	70
05/11/2012	SARAJEVO		0
06/11/2012	VISEGRAD	http://goo.gl/maps/SNaHp	70
07/11/2012	UZICE	http://goo.gl/maps/T2GFI	45
08/11/2012	UZICE	http://goo.gl/maps/owR85	40
09/11/2012	VRNJACKA BANJA	http://goo.gl/maps/HnT3v	75.2
10/11/2012	KRUSEVAC	http://goo.gl/maps/QMtcw	28.4
11/11/2012	KNJAZEVAC	http://goo.gl/maps/opiYS	60.5
12/11/2012	PIROT	http://goo.gl/maps/FMLY9	65.9
13/11/2012	SOFIA	http://goo.gl/maps/bPHSd	56.4
14/11/2012	SOFIA		0
15/11/2012	KOSTENETS	http://goo.gl/maps/VoL2Y	61
16/11/2012	PLOVDIV	http://goo.gl/maps/yOrSE	51.9
17/11/2012	HARMANLI	http://goo.gl/maps/0p6Js	66.9
18/11/2012	EDIRNE	http://goo.gl/maps/f08EJ	41.6
19/11/2012	PINARHISAR	http://goo.gl/maps/5HTfE	57.7
20/11/2012	IHSANIYE	http://goo.gl/maps/BfTBz	60.2
21/11/2012	ISTANBUL	http://goo.gl/maps/1of9S	28
22/11/2012	ISTANBUL		0
23/11/2012	ISTANBUL		0
24/11/2012	ISTANBUL		0
25/11/2012	ISTANBUL		0

Getting Technical:

For those that are interested Maps were planned on Google and then exported to .kml files by adding the GMapToGPX at this site http://www.elsewhere.org/journal/gmaptogpx/ to my bookmarks bar on firefox. Clicking the bookmark when looking at the google my maps page gives a pop up to export the .kml file.

I then imported them into www.gpsies.com track creator. This shows you the hills you will encounter!!

Exporting from gpsies gives you a .gpx route. I have imported these routes into an app called Osmand+ on my android. This satnav type app gives offline access to open street maps so I can hopefully navigate the trip without paper!

Welcome

Thank you for logging onto my cycle touring blog - my first ever blog!! Scott (my bike) and I are setting off from London, through Europe ending up at the gateway to Asia; Istanbul.

I am a bike enthusiast and a long trip has been my dream for years now. Cycling has been ingrained in me from a young age as my Mum was a campaigner for Sustrans and Spokes (http://www.spokeseastkent.org.uk/). I ran a small bike business at University, regularly enjoy fixing vintage bikes with my friend Hil Bob at our "Bike Club" and have completed long distance rides; London to Paris with Kit and Sam (see video below) and London along the South East Coast with Hil Bob, Yean and Phin. 

The ride that inspired my love of touring, however, was with Alex (http://www.blogger.com/profile/02767436415073600810) around the north coast of France in 2005. Even though I had to strap a cushion on to my saddle to achieve the correct height it proved to be a winning trip. 

Never noticed the "Stop" sign before!

Let me introduce you to Scott - 

Scott - just after being valued for the insurers by Fitzrovia Cycles

Although I am not planning on giving you my personal specs, I thought some of the bike geeks may be interested in Scott's vital statistics:

Part	Detail
Frame	Scott Atacama Trail 22"
Saddle	Charge Spoon
Tyres	Gatorskin 700x28
Brakes	Shimano Deore LX V-Brakes
Rear Hub	Shimano Alfine 11 Disc SGS700
Front Hub	Shimano Hub Dynamo DH3N20
Rims	Mavic 28" A 319 - 36 Hole
Spokes	DT Swiss Champion 2mm x (287 or 283mm)
Nipples	DT Swiss 2.0mm x 12mm
Tubes	Continental 700 x 28-38mm
Chain	Spank Tweet Tweet 102 links 1/2" x 1/8"
Chainring	Stronglight 38t BCD 30
Sprocket	Shimano 20t Alfine Sprocket
Mudguards	SKS Commuter Narrow Bike Mudguard Set
Shifter	Alfine 11 Rapidfire Shifter
Speedometer	Sigma BC 906
Phone Mount	Ultimate Add Ons HTC Desire HD
Grips	Ragley H.O.T Lock On Grips - Lime Green
Bot. Bracket	Tange 137 x 24t
Crankset	Shimano FC-S125, 105 Golden Arrow 170mm
Pedals	Shimano Clip in Pedals PD-M520

Below is what Scott will have on his back (as well as me)!!