Packing and Panicking

There is only two nights sleep till I need to be at the Watertower Cafe on the Downs in Bristol 7am.

Now normally I leave all my packing to the very last minute, the number of holidays I have been on where I have had to get up in the middle of the night to take washing out of the machine and straight on the radiator is silly. As I am writing a blog I thought I would make one last blog till the cycle ride and this could coincide with being more organised with the packing.

Kit

So the kit prepared out my lounge floor.

• I have my EuroHike rucksack, well I say mine someone I worked with left it at work about seven years ago on the day they left. I contacted them about five times in a two week spell and on a couple of occasions they didn't meet me. I took that as they no longer wanted it, they are actually one of my 'friends' on Facebook. So if you would like it back then let me know (although I gave the shoes inside to charity). It is quite handy because it will be able to take items I may need in the daytime.
• I have a water hydration bladder, this was only £7 from Kathmandu, however it doesn't come with a casing, but it fits nicely in the rucksack. It holds about three litres, enough to see me through the days although when full it is quite heavy, so I need to work out how much I will need especially as there is a water stop everyday we are cycling.
• I have my phone and its charger and my camera. These will be useful in enjoying the ride, taking snaps and my phone has built in GPS which is linked to my blog so you will be able to check how I am getting on throughout Friday to Sunday. I will be able to upload a few pictures from the camera when I get back and post my experiences. I also have a pad so I can write any thoughts down. I just need to find my Bumbag to carry all this on the ride
• I also have my sports watch which cost me £1 from Primark, although the time is a little out it is lucky it is fast.
•  I bought three innertubes on Sunday, I thought it would be best as I have been without a spare after selling it to a fellow cyclist for £4.50. I have also got a tyre lever which is handy when adjusting the tyre.
• I went to Boots last week and I got four packets of Dextro Energy tablets. These are amazing, I do not know if they actually have any real benefits but they give me a mental boost ever since I cycled in Cambodia three years ago and was struggling with the heat I have sworn by these.
• The other medical miracle I am taking is some blackcurrant dioralyte sachets. They are brilliant for the next morning, especially if you have had a few celebratory Beers the night before.
• I have some plasters and germolene for any scraps and bumps. I am hoping the charity may have a bigger first aid kit in case of emergencies
• To keep myself smelling nice I have packed some toiletries. Shoe spray, as I may get a little sweaty and they will need to stay in the room. Also deodorant rollerball as I am not 14 years old anymore I do not need Lynx Africa and also it says it works for 48hours so it must be hardcore.
• I have waterproof trousers and a camouflage pack-a-mac so I also have a fluorescent jacket to make it easier for me to see if it is dismal and rainy.
• Other clothes wise I have one unitard, a pair of tight running trousers, gloves, a number of ankle socks(changeable if it rains because my trainers aren't waterproof) and number of jerseys and t-shirts.

The other half of the blog is panicking, the question I have asked am I ready for this?


I made a big Pasta tonight to eat and consumed a meal for four this should hopefully mean I can give myself a helping start and not lose too much weight over the weekend. I weighed myself at a healthy 11.5 Stone and will do the same Sunday evening, I will make sure I have a hearty breakfast Friday morning to fuel the day

My only worry is around a group discussion on the charity's Facebook page about what the best cycling shorts are for around £120 and talks of expensive Carbon bikes. For efficiency of cycling most people on the ride I assume will have cleat pedals whereas I have one full pedal and one that snapped in half two years ago. So it will be a struggle with the equipment I have but I am confident in my abilities to be able get through the weekend and enjoyed it at the same time.

The ride will also mean I will meet 35 other cyclists so as well as concentrating on cycling for 250 miles I will have to remember everyones names. I am currently running a training module at work where as well as introducing myself I have a sticker with my name on, I am thinking of taking 35 stickers and handing them out for people to fill out but that may make me look like weird. So possibly I will just have to remember a few names and do a lot of apologising!

The next time I blog will be from the comfort of my sofa on Sunday night and the ride will have finished. However, over Friday, Saturday and Sunday you will be able to check my location on the blog and hopefully I may have time to Tweet @spewymonkfish and post on my Facebook wall. Hopefully there may be a report on BBC Points West I am trying to sort out so watch this space.

Thanks

Louis
ps I have raised £912 for the AboveandBeyond CaRE appeal only £88 to go