He's in the Box

Hehe, thanks to my technical and mechanical support he's snug in the box (courtesy of young Gav). The scales say just under 25kg, so 5kg of stuff to pack in. Plus another 7kg for my hand luggage, good job cycling clothes aren't heavy.

Quite bizarre to think when I unpack him I'll be in Auckland, trying to stay awake and not give in to my body thinking 3pm is 3am.
It's only a number as a wise man once said.
Getting set for another blast on the turbo, need to work off all the Christmasness!

The drama of my sore leg has taken over the last week, in my usual slightly dramatic fashion I had a few micro doubts about the trip but then I also knew it would take more than a sore shin to stop me anyway.

I remember how painful my knee was on lejog until the saddle height was changed, mind over matter is never really too much of a challenge, when there is a goal in sight and ibuprofen to hand!

So, I've been pedalling away like a hamster on red bull in the kitchen, going for intervals over endurance as I suspect that's not going to be too much of an issue with so much to look at going up those climbs. As wise American Al said, on a trip like this, you get your cycling legs as the days roll by.
With no running on the cards for a bit it's also a welcome switch off after work.

So no list and no bike box yet, plenty of time! Six weeks to go....

It's starting to feel like it's not long away now, the weeks are whizzing by and so are the ticks against the admin stuff- details to Steve Wesson the organiser, flights booked, telling the parents and staff at work about the impending gap in February. However, in terms of organisation I am nowhere compared with Jan (lejog friend and soon to be roomy again). She's already packed!!!
Been looking at places we stop at on Google earth which I managed to install, unaided. It's giving me (extra) fuel for dreams and goose pimples each time. I'm not sure I've ever been anywhere so spectacular, with the exception of Luton.
My marginal fear of having to rely on my own navigation and route reading skills was allayed earlier by Steve, it appears some days the route sheets can consist of a mere three instructions haha! 
Steve's reminded us all to be getting in the miles (or the hours in the kitchen on the turbo). Easily done at the moment as my right leg's not happy running and the exercise monster is happy to munch on running or cycling.

Next jobs: sort bike box and write first draft of list of items to take

This is a test blog. I'm not that keen on new words that mean something that there was a perfectly good word for initially, but blog for diary is a clear winner.