The Final Count Down – 2 Weeks To Go

Two weeks today, all going well, myself and Bertie will have landed in Oregon – fingers crossed that the baggage handlers will look after Bertie. So I have been planning this trip for the last 18 months – planning in the loosest sense of the word – planning that has turned into frantic disorganisation – but will all work out in the end – I’ve got the plane tickets, Bertie the Bike, my passport, lots of maps and a change of pants – what else do I need?

I’ve had Bertie for nearly 2 years and love him, except for his back brake – without a doubt the back brake works but, despite trying a number of different brake pads, he screeches like nobodies business. So Doctor Nige has been on the case and we decided to replace the breaks and discs altogether – last night Bertie was still screeching!

So with all the last minute frantic organising I’ve had very little exercise over the last few weeks – and because I’ve been spending a lot of time on the computer I’ve been eating like a wee piggie – just as well I’m about to go on a big bike tour.

We’ve been having a wee test on something called BubblerGPS – an app on the phone that is going to track my route across America – testing seems to have gone to plan – I just need to remember to switch it on and hopefully keep my phone charged! Once I set off you should be able to click on the “Where Am I Now” at the top of my blog too see my map.

So it’s not been all planning I have managed to get a few wee runs in and one big bike ride at the beginning of June – the bike ride was great – 81 miles from Glen Etive back home to Stirling – except for the falling asleep bit – something I wouldn’t recommend while on the bike! Big hill walk on the Sunday – Nige’s last Munro, followed by celebratory grub and drinks – it wasn’t an overly late night but I was tired the following day – lovely bike ride out of Glen Etive to join the main road – by the time I got to The Green Welly Shop though I was flagging – a wee bite to eat and drink while sitting in the sun should have done the trick – but a number of re-fuelling stops later and I was still flagging – nothing seemed to be hitting the spot – I was actually falling asleep at handlebars, veering into the middle of the road and back, narrowly missing the kerb as I veered back to the edge of the road – I was a danger to myself and other road users – just in time, and before any accidents ensued, the sun came out and there was a nice patch of grass at the side of the road – perfect for a wee snooze – no idea how long I slept for but feeling rejuvenated I enjoyed the rest of the bike ride home.

Camping, hunting and shooting – 3 words that I wouldn’t normally put together – but checking out Campgrounds in America it seems that the 3 often do go together! Not sure how much protection my tiny wee tent will give if someone accidentally sets their gun off in the middle of the night? Assuming I don’t get eaten by bears or shot in the middle of the night I will try and keep posting here – enjoy folks.