Tag Archives: friends

Day 0 – London to Bournemouth

(22km)

So, I woke up early and I didn’t get much good sleep, as the night before was a little bit stressful. I had to wait until 1:30am for the guy to come and pick up my stuff for Athens. Just after that,  the biggest disaster ever occured! The newly bought eBay European charger for my netbook didn’t work anymore!!! That was like a heart attack to me, as the other charger was on its way to Athens, I didn’t have time to get another one, neither the ability to send the laptop to Greece. I decided to take it with me and try to sort the problem out in France.

Anyway… after the double breakfast I had (I managed to empty the remaining of the honey jar) I went out to sort out a last few things, packed the bike, cleaned the room and ready to go after some good buys with Joseph my flatmate.

Me and Joseph, just before the departure.

Me and Joseph, just before the departure.

The I cycled for the last time to work, where I met Richard, Philip and Adam and had a last sandwich in the park from the most amazing Italian deli of Soho. After more good buys and photos, I took my loaded bike and tummy and started cycling to Waterloo station. On the way, I said goodbye to Mr Nelson in Trafalgar square, Mr Ben the Big and the Eye of the London.

Last lunch in Soho

Last lunch in Soho

The train ride, was very smooth and fast as I slept most of the way. By the time I put my foot in Bournemouth, all the memories from my university times started coming back to be. I couldn’t resist having a quick cycle around the town, starting from the beach which is more of a joy-land than ever before! Then on my way to Mauricio’s place, I went through the university campus and my two old houses, to see if anything has changed. It was kind of nice to finish my 7 years in England from exactly where they started.

Bournemouth University

Bournemouth University

Mauricio is a good friend from university times that has always helped in the difficult times. So after not seeing him for a few years, we had loads to talk about, while drinking wine and eating popcorn.
Then the second pre-departure disaster occurred. My brand new red hat was eaten by Mauricio’s dog! What a shame, it was one of my colleagues’ gift and I only wore it for a few days. It was kind of stupid of me to leave it on the sofa with the dog and leave the room, but then this made me realize that for the next two months, I have to be prepared for any kind of bad incidents. This was just a hat, I am sure more serious thing can happen at anytime. So I moved on…

Gear… lot of them!

gear

In general I hate shopping, but over the last month I had to research and buy all the stuff I will need for a safe and comfortable ride. Dozens of advice from experienced cyclists, forums, and other touring diaries, as well as numerous visits to shops, begging for discounts.

Today, I finished my to-buy list with all sorts of things. Shoes, pedals, rack, panniers, shorts, raincoats, cloths, tools, spares, maps, insurance and of course a small and lightweight tent that will be my portable home for the next two months.

tent

After all this frenzy of consumerism, the big highlight was of course the stuff I didn’t have to buy my self! All my good friends from the company I was working for the past four year, offered me the most appropriate leaving present. Top quality and very stylish cycling cloths that make me feel like a pro cyclist, who climbs the Alps for breakfast! So I’d like to thank everybody that signed my leaving card and contributed to the present, Dean and Ashley who organized it all and finally Rapha.cc who provided and designed all these amazing clothing and they were happy to support me by adding even more stuff towards the gift.

Full weight test ride up the hills

So that’s me and the bike fully loaded. I went up the steep hill of Highgate to see how much harder it is to ride. I have to say it was tough, but doable. People say I’ll get stronger on the way, so probable by the end of the trip I will look like the Les triplettes de Belleville character.