15 Days to Go

It is getting close to "D" day, only 15 days to go. I feel I have all my gear packed. Now I am in the minimising phase. Get rid of packaging, reduce weight where ever I can. Still trying to balance the load - front to back, left to right. Do I really need this, can I do without that. I have checked out other riders equipment lists and have most bases covered.

May go for a fully laden ride to Queenscliff tomorrow. I can still see what the weather has to offer before I go. A luxury I wont have when I am into my venture.

Adjustments to My site

I have removed the count down timer. Apparently working on my computer, no one elses.
Also wondered why I was not receiving any comments Checked the setup pages and I think I have it right now. Can someone report on my progress.
Have done another full practice "Pack" I now have about 27kgs packed (2 front panniers, 1 handlebar bag, tent and "BOB". I dont think there is too much more to add other than water. May have to trim some weight.

Packing etc

Back on deck after a short severe bout of gastro. No bike riding for the past few days but have been packing and unpacking trying different combinations of loading. Sorting the everyday use things from the lesser used items.

Purchased my cooking set, metho based stove, two saucepans and a frying pan. Very compact little unit. Also quite a bit of dehydrated food was purchased.

I have been trying to work out which would be of more use to me when out of mobile phone range - a satellite phone or a PLB (Personal Location Beacon) I have elected to go for a PLB. As someone pointed out a Satphone is no good with flat batteries. I will have no way of charging batteries in the outback.

For those of you who may not know my departure date is 14Th March from our home in Geelong. Up to Canberra for Easter, Cairns by early June, and home by late November

Trying to Balance the load

Hit the road yesterday with trailer and front panniers. I had 1 besser block and 4 water bottles on the trailer, my tent on the bike behind my seat and a house brick in each of the front panniers plus my handle bar bag. About 26 kgs all up which I feel will be representative of the load I expect to carry. Again a little uncomfortable to start with, steering was a bit "twitchy". Less weight on the front may make the difference Next few times I get out I will try different combinations, but all looks pretty good at this stage

Another Rest Day

Had to do a few things around town today so had to take the car.

Got approval for a government subsidy for a Satellite phone (50% of purchase price up to $700) Not too bad. Not sure which way I should go. Either a Personal Location Beacon (PLB) or the sat phone. Will endeavour to get advice.

Received my Seniors card yesterday. Maybe useful on my journey around Australia

Need to study more on my two new toys - notebook and phone

Rest Day

Actually I slept in. I had full intention of riding into work today but found it hard to part company with my bed. It was my seventh sence that kicked in. I dont like riding in the rain and as it turned out it was raining when I left work (By Car)

Off to play with my new toy now - my notebook computer. I hope it is patient as I have trouble comprehending some of the technical manuals they supply nowadays.

Picked Up Notebook Computer

Rode to work again today. Wonderful run into work again, but the return journey wasnt quite as good. I worked back a couple of hours. There seemed to be people everywhere. It was hot (34'C I think) in Geelong and to top it off I had a moderate SSE wind, a head wind The cool shower was very welcome when I got home.

Evon picked up our new notebook computer today. The one I hope to use on the road. They cram a lot of stuff on these computers now. Windows 7, Bluetooth, cameras, microphones, speakers, and the list goes on. I haven't been able to play with it yet as we have to fully charge the battery over an eight hour period. Watch out tomorrow night.

Ride to work

Rode to work today. Left home about 5.30am,down the Bellarine Highway and onto the Rail Trail just out of Geelong. Followed the trail through to the Barwon River. This is the best time to ride. There were rabbits everywhere, fish jumping in the river, birds twittering in the trees. It makes you appreciate the simple things in life.

A little different on the way home, 32' c, se wind which meant a slight head wind and cars and people everywhere. Glad to get home and have a nice cool shower.

BOB with two 10Kg Bricks

Took BOB for another run today, this time with two Besser bricks (20Kgs) loaded on. This time I certainly knew I was towing. At first I felt quite uncomfortable, but once I got used to the balance of the combination it wasnt too bad. Obviously a little slower and down a couple of gears.
I think 30 kgs is out of the question for me, but then if I had loaded the front panniers up, the balance may have resulted in a more comfortable ride