One challenge at a time

One of the big considerations about doing a bike challenge is how to get your bike from your home country to the country where you are doing the ride and more importantly how are you going to get it back. This may sound simple... and it may be simple, if you are driving to your destination or taking a train. But when you throw in air travel... things take a turn for the complicated. Bikes are generally designated 'sports equipment' and on many airlines that means a hefty charge or oversized baggage fee. How much your bike weighs may be the difference between a £50 and £150 charge! Some airlines (thank you United) include it in your checked in allowance meaning that if you are economical ( saw off toothbrush handles, take no spare clothes etc) then bike and kit will make it in without an extra fee.  Aside from the expense though there is a far bigger problem.... what to put your bike in??? If you like your bike and want it to get to the other side injury free then this is ...

The dust is settling on my last challenge... settling back into normal life is complete. The book is out...  A Divide of Two Halves      and the documentary of the same name is also available  (CLICK HERE)   So what happens now?? Essentially the feet begin to itch and I start chasing the plastic carrier bags of my dreams as they are blown by the wind (see ABSOLUTE REALITY - for the reference). So what does that mean? It means that the planning phase for my next challenge has begun. After much debate and various temptations .. the destination is settled.... ECUADOR and the route of the volcanoes! So how does one go about planning a challenge of a lifetime? (number 4 and counting) Over the course of the months between now and the day I go I will be blogging about different aspects of planning a challenge. What considerations there are? Choosing kit... making plans B,C..X for when things don't go as planned. Where do I start? And so on! B...