Pushing the peddles alongside me was my friend Dave. He had vowed to join me in my adventure on the leg from Melbourne to Adelaide. A fantastic effort, and a great help for me. Neither of us had any training under our belts, and with 20,000 odd km's ahead of me, I was relying on blind hope that my body would withstand the physical punishment.
I had been planning the trip for some time, but the dream took shape very quickly without my realizing it. Suddenly I was telling people that I wanted to ride around the paddock. Suddenly they were asking me when? Suddenly I was giving them an answer... Suddenly I was leaving! So as usual for me, the planning stage was short and incomplete. Perhaps this lack of organization will catch up with me later on down the road, but better not to think about it yet...
Sitting atop my hybrid 'Scott' bicycle, pulling a 35kg trailer behind me I finally had all the gear I needed to survive the next 10 or so months on the road. Items included a tent, sleeping bag/mat, thermal clothing, not nearly enough jocks and socks, a camera, a computer, a solar panel, some maintenance equipment, maps and a few odd bits and pieces. My belongings were few, and I held everything with value and respect. I would have to look after my possessions.
Leaving for an extended holiday from the front door of my house was a strange experience, and I wondered what I would look and feel like when I arrive back at this house, 10 months down the track. The promise was made: no shaving or even trimming of the beard was allowed. This was going to be interesting.
Note: My computer is having serious problems so I will not have it for the first few weeks of the trip. Therefore this blog will not be updated until I have it up and running once more.
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