Test ride

Bike is back from the shop and the weathermen said it would be dry and about 10c.  Great, lets load the bike up with the new bags to see if they fit.  Took a bit of readjustment, mainly the saddle going back 1cm.  Go-Pro cam, well, where to put it.  Attached it to my helmet before I set off, no chance!  Way to heavy.  Knee strapped up and warped up warm I set off.  Bike felt much better and quicker, knee was mostly ok and the bags didn't wobble or fall off!  Result! 

I set off to Richmond to do a good 3-4 laps.  On the way it started raining, the temperature dropped and the wind picked up.  Weathermen now saying, oh yes it is going to rain today and its going to be windy so it will feel like 4c!!  Frozen to my bike I managed two laps, (7miles each), just as hypothermia settle in lol.  I felt I could have done much more, but the cold was too much, way too much.  Could not feel my toes, could not warm up or keep warm, so thought it best to come back for a bath.  Tomorrow the weathermen say 12c and sun.  I will get the snow shovel out then!

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Punctures - 2 (slow back wheel), (staple in back wheel)

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Weather

Dam this weather!  Not been able to ride for some weeks now.  Weathermen are saying its going to rain pretty much all of April and into May.  Not sure what I'm to do.  I know that there will be many wet days out there, but I will have to just put up with them.  Cycling in London is dangerous enough, but with all the man-hole-covers and other metal coverings on the roads, it makes for a more dangerous ride when its wet. 

Sleep problems

I'm sure someone out there will be able to diagnose these sleep issues. I would say its probably stress, excitement, and the unknown trip ahead which is causing it.

I've caught myself early in the mornings shouting "there's not enough effing time" (but with the swear word!). It kinda wakes me up, am aware I've said it but not whilst it's happening. Usually go back to sleep.

I've also been waking up very early, an hour or two before my alarm. My brain goes into overdrive and starts thinking too much, so I can't go back to sleep. I have no problems getting off to sleep btw.

Lastly, a recurring dream. Twice I've dreamt that the trip was over and that it went too quick. Not sure if it meant I took it for granted, but I never made any notes or blog entries. I find I'm back at work and regretting I didn't make more of the trip, or paid attention to it. I was back at Safeway I one of them!! Very odd.

Not long now, just over 3 weeks!

- Posted from my iPhone

Location:London.

Videos

Here are a couple of videos other people have made and posted while on their TransAm rides:

Trans-America Ride 2009
http://vimeo.com/6517776

Coast to Coast 2011
http://vimeo.com/28282381

Sorting out stuff

Not long to go now. 5weeks and I will be there, in Richmond Virginia. Even though I have watched videos & read many blogs, I don't know what awaits. This is another true adventure. I know it will be tough.

- Posted from my iPhone

Some birthday present!

April the 4th and my maps arrive!  Great day, till I opened them and saw the scale of the challange.