You would think two long sleeved T-shirts and a jumper under my leathers would be warm enough, but even my best impression of the Michelin man proved insufficient. Still, I was safe in the knowledge that Geoff, London courier extraordinaire, would waste no time leading me to Excel, and warmth. I admire his honesty at missing the turning, but as I could only follow his sillouhette in the morning sun, didn't notice. I'm sure Eastern Russia will be simpler to navigate than East London. It was twenty years and a wasteland since I last set foot in Docklands and it is almost unrecognisable to me. No sooner had I entered the show, clinging to a large full caff' triple shot extra fat Crappacino Americano eye-opener that felt hotter than the sun, I was sampling the winter riding gear like a moth to a lightbulb. Look after my jacket Geoff, cheers mate! (couriers can carry anything anywhere.) Ten minutes later I'm fully kitted, looking like a billboard for Mr. Frank Thomas, and convalescing from open wallet surgery. £10 off for cash? Ta muchly! Kangaroo leather gloves may be exceptionally comfortable but, to my dismay, I believe they smell like what I imagine a dead kangaroo would.
I admire Ewan and Charley for getting bikes onto mainstream tv, but seeing their grinning mugs over half the stands, promoting themselves and all the latest must-have kit, is starting to alienate many bikers. How can the average biker ever believe they can ride around the world without about 40 people working for them, two backup vehicles, and a full catalogue of kit? Ok, it was a long tough ride but what exactly did they have to worry about? Hardly the spirit of adventure, more like a package tour. Bikes used to be a cheap form of transport for the working class, now they have been taken over by consumerism to become the latest fashion accessory. 'May I direct you to our new 'Moron ruse' catalogue Sir?' I'm sure Ewan was in that film...or was it Moulin Rouge? Same difference. N.B. If anyone is awaiting the delivery of new Ducati 848, the entire years production run seems to be at Excel, promoting everything from colourful titanium nuts, to carbon fibre bodywork to shave off those all important milligrams. Lifestyles of the kitch and shameless.
This is where around the world record holder Nick Sanders, 20.000 miles in less than 20 days, (reality is a nice place but he wouldn't want to live there) and Austin Vince come in. I have to thank Nick for showing us we don't need anything or anybody, just ride the bike. The destination is only where the journey ends. Austin however, proved (twice) not only that travelling the world is possible for anyone with any bike, but most importantly with a surprisingly small budget. I believe he had £10 a day so if he can, we can. Thanks for the advice and the badges Austin, we were like two kids visiting Santa!
So that's it, I'm fully kitted out and ready to go. Everything I need except for a few spare bulbs, plugs, filters, chain/sprockets, chain splitter/riveter, tyres, puncture kit, cables, brakepads, tools, towrope, camping gear, water purifier, cooking stove/utensils, food containers, documents, copies of documents, visa, international driving licence, medical kit/insurance, camera, journal, bike to bike radios, list of everything Geoff thinks of that I forget, and most important of all, an emergency spare sense of humour.
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