My plan is to start in a warm’ish 🌞 country for spring, heading northwards into Europe as the summer takes hold. After many hours, OK days, I choose the coast of Morocco as my start line. I’ve never been to north west Africa 🌍 so why not!

In the mean time I’m prepping my Thorn Sherpa ready for the start line. The critical things been the points of contact. New wheel bearings, chain ⛓️ and front chain-rings replaced. Don’t skimp on the grease. Shimano Dura Ace is as good as it gets for my needs. 50g tub is plenty too.

My chain of choice is a SRAM PC971. For £11 it is a good bit of kit. Nickel plated for smoothness and with my favourite, a PowerLink 🔗 link. Only because it looks ‘Gucci”! Nevertheless I still carry a chain-breaker just in case. A significant 5mm stretch over the old chain. A new chain adds greater life to a cassette and chain-rings.

Once she’s washed 🚿 and greased, then the job of dismantling certain components ready for travel. Most importantly the rear dérailleur. The concern is not the dérailleur itself breaking in transit, but the hanger it’s attached to. The hanger is part of the frame 🚲 i.e. you would need a new frame even if it’s slightly bent. Tucked safely away in a small water bottle with the shifter cable stilled attached. Always prudent to remove both skewers (wheel hubs) as they tend to protrude through the packing. Measure up the stem, then I’m not fussing at the other end as to my seat height.

The idea of the CTC Bike Bag is to wheel your precious bicycle into it and then just hand in at the check-in counter. Not so keen on that … no padding etc.. As you can see I can’t do things by half! Next time I’m using a box! 🗃️

Early morning taxi 🗃️ then coach 🚌 to Luton, via what feels like the rest of the south of England!