Up & away!

[OMEGAMAN]

When Big Singles - the original Tenere etc started appearing in Plymouth off the ferry from Europe - they were the only people who seemed to use them for touring - strange really when you consider how much better suited to the UK roads they are - most had small - 1 to 2 litre - bags strapped to the fork sliders.  Seemed to me that this was a great way of fouling up the steering and wiping the bags out on lumps and bumps, but they all seemed to have them.

Personally I thought they looked really cool, but I am not convinced of their use or utility, but for a small tool kit / 1st aid kit etc they may be fine.

Seem to remember some of the mil MT500s have them as well - oh and the really useful rifle holster...

R

            After some of the replies to enquiries about travelling through some places!

     The rifle holsters might come in very usefull....                                  cheers, John.

[jack]

Hi mate
Good luck on your trip, i hope all goes well for you.
I see you plan on going to Zambia and to see Victoria Falls. If you venture across the border to the Zimbabwe side, my parents live there and would only be too happy to put you up (and take you fishing on the Zambezi?)
If you want numbers and stuff, please dont hesitate to ask.
Cheers
Warren
 

[guest7]

Having just ridden a CB500 through a veritable lake at 35mph, I can vouch for the suitability of the bike for rough riding conditions, it didn't miss a beat.

Part of me will be sorry to see my bike go (it will be on Ebay next week) because it's a very capable machine.

GC

[OMEGAMAN]

Hi mate
Good luck on your trip, i hope all goes well for you.
I see you plan on going to Zambia and to see Victoria Falls. If you venture across the border to the Zimbabwe side, my parents live there and would only be too happy to put you up (and take you fishing on the Zambezi?)
If you want numbers and stuff, please dont hesitate to ask.
Cheers
Warren
 

 Hi Warren,  
                  We certainly intend to visit the area of Victoria falls/Zambezi etc.   So as soon as we have done a little more research, & got visa information etc. I will get back in touch with you as we would certainly be interested in taking up an offer such as yours.

                  Thank you very much for your kind offer. We will speak to you soon,  cheers,   John & Simon.

[OMEGAMAN]

 see fund raising OR  for sale section!

[OMEGAMAN]

 Some workshop manuals going in the ads section..............be quick!

[OMEGAMAN]

 Small update.......http://www.atwi80m.blogspot.com/

[OMEGAMAN]

 Simon & myself are being interviewed about the trip, 

 On  BBC Radio Derby   at 10:15am  On Monday morning 11th Jan 2010  (LIVE)

 (gotta watch the P's & Q's)

[OMEGAMAN]

 Now starting to realise how short of money we will be (just in case we can't raise much when travelling!)

 So, between now & leaving! (around March?)  we will be pulling out all the stops, raising funds before we leave:

 Such as....   selling even more personal stuff (empty the house & sheds etc.)
     
                   Doing regular car boot sales (weather permitting)

                   More stuff on e-bay

                   Getting more people to sign up for the (have a drink a week to us!)

                   Any minor sponsorship deals that crop up!

                   & anything you lot can suggest?   (sensible if you please..........)

                                                    cheers,       John & Simon.

[OMEGAMAN]

 This might help anyone wanting to listen to the interview!

       http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/derby/hi/tv_and_radio/

[guest7]

Thanks for the link, I will listen if I get the chance (but will probably be up a ladder fixing a downpipe for a neighbour).

GC

[guest7]

My brother tuned in and said it sounded good.

He rang me up and asked if I could set up some sort of route for people to sponser the trip using a standing order. He wants to pay £10 a month, starting from when you guys leave. He thinks this is a better idea than just making a one-off payment.

I will add this to my 'to do' list for when we create a link to your trip blog via this site. In the meantime I will chat to your 'financial coordinator' (John has put all this stuff into the hands of a family member to take care of whilst he's away) and sort out Gareth's standing order with her.

GC

[OMEGAMAN]

 Hi all............still here & working hard now on the final stuff before actually leaving...

 Have been ill over Christmas & New Year so planning etc. got put back by a few more weeks...(looks more like May? now)

   Small update.......http://www.atwi80m.blogspot.com/

[OMEGAMAN]

Hi all,   just letting those of you who might be interested......the blog has been updated recently & we should be on our way soon!!!!!

       http://atwi80m.blogspot.com/2010_06_01_archive.html

 Around the end of Summer/early Sep 2010 (if all goes well)

 We are away this coming weekend 24/25/26/27th June at the Horizons Unlimited annual meet taking place near Ripley, Derbyshire. A chance to meet many fellow travellers (& pick their brains!) before we finalise all the arrangements for the off.

 We will also be at the Uttoxeter show with our own humble stand, so pop across & say hello....

       See you there...........

[OMEGAMAN]

 Hi all,
           Not been updating for a while, so much been going on. A very busy time during a poor summer.
           Quite a few changes, so for those who'd like to catch up, check our new proper website (still being costructed but most stuff is on it....)

         Off in a few weeks.....16th October is looking good (my birthday!)

 Have to get going soon as I have to be out of my house by 20th September..    
& will have to rough it somewhere till the leaving date...

   If those of you who suggested that they might be able to help finacially in a small way, to help me complete this adventure, are still willing, then now is the time to jump on board as finances are now the most important obstacle, but I'm getting there fast...

  Every little will help.........
                                                                Cheers all,  John R Goode...