70 miles a day in mountainous country for a month. Do or die really. Haven't cycled more than 50 miles in a day or more than 2 days in a row for 5 years. Experience suggests the first week will be tough and then it will get better. Or I'll crash. Fingers crossed, brow furrowed, determined pout in place.

Mad rush to get everything ready, about 36 hours to go .. in which I also need to agree and sign the contract for a new job, compose ultimatums and cajolings for my builder, make sure bike is up and running, choose and pack all the tools, clothes, first aid, camping stuff, guide books, maps and an amazing amount of electronic fripperies. Am still half tempted to ditch the gizmos and go naked of technology. What swung it was that the new bike lights only charge on a USB and once I admitted that need, why not take a camera, phone and kindle.

And indeed, why not blog about the trip. No idea what my connectivity will be but there seems to be free wifi even in campsites so it should be possible. May end up with merely the odd update on facebook or linkedin. All part of the unplannedness of long-distance touring.

Am pretty familiar with the maps by now. Checked that the ferries needed seem to be running, tho this is mainly mainland. Have a notebook in which to blog to myself, already full of useful info.

Figuring on the Carpet - will it all fit?

Once all the rush is over, the bike is rebuilt and I start pedalling, it all gets a lot simpler: water, food and shelter to be found each day, in that order of importance. I look forward to that point, for now.