About this blog

As you likely know, the Boy Scout Motto is, “Try to set everything on fire”. 

Oh, my apologies, that was the secret motto - the one you’re not supposed to know about, but by which Boy Scouts really live. At least that's the way it was when I was a kid.

The other motto — the one they want you to know about – is “Be prepared.”

Luckily, the bicycle is a lightweight, relatively simple machine - a miracle of efficiency. You only need to bring a few things with you on a multi-day ride to be adequately prepared to take care of your nutritional, health, and mechanical needs. Specifically:

• Clothes 
• Thongs 
• Water 
• Water filter 
• Food 
• Matches 
• Stove 
• Plate 
• Knife, fork and spoon 
• Towel 
• Soap 
• BO killer 
• Sterile dressing 
• Antibiotic ointment 
• Burn ointment (in case you come across a Boy Scout) 
• Band Aids 
• Duct tape 
• Mobile Phone, miscellaneous cords and charger 
• Solar charger 
• Tent 
• Sleeping Bag 
• Pillow 
• Self-inflating mattress 
• Rain coat 
• Leg and arm warmers 
• Occy straps 
• Zip ties 
• Chain Lube 
• Hex wrench 
• Screw drivers 
• Pliers 
• CO2 cartridges (5) 
• CO2 valve 
• Tubes 
• Spare tyres 
• Pump 
• Puncture repair kit 
• Assos Chamois Creme (when only the very best will do) 
• Chain tool 
• Spoke tool 
• Spare spokes 
• Tyre levers 
• Utility knife 
• More duct tape, because one roll might not be enough 
• and a bloody great trailer to carry it all 

Oh, and $100 to buy a ride home.

I may have left a few things out, but you get the idea.

But not this time.

No, it’s luxury all the way.

No dragging all that gear behind my bike, no sir. None of this 5 days between a shower nonsense. No pitching tents and sleeping on the ground either. Not even tinned saveloys (which I've grown quite accustomed to!!)

This time it’s different - hotel rooms, soft beds, air-conditioning and restaurant meals.

Now, this is living!!

It's just a pity about all those hills.