First cut your soap in half...

First cut your soap into pieces and then (in my case) put the pieces in a sterile sample pot. Because any other soap container is too big and the little soap rattles annoyingly every time you go over a bump.

Then, cut the pages out of the guidebook that refer to places you don't plan to visit. In my case, most of the Greek islands.

My total tool kit with spares (tyre, tubes, spokes etc) weighs in at three and a half pounds, not much more than my bike lock (!). Have tried it all out and it fits, tent and all, with plenty of space into two Iberian panniers (bought on ebay cos the Karrimor replacements are nowhere near as good as the old ones, which sadly wore out after an estimated 20,000 miles).

This will be my heaviest trip ever. Quite apart from the extra pounds on me these days, when you travel with someone else the tent and tool weight is shared. Even when I'm carrying a heavier load than my companion, that's still less than I shall have for this solo tour. I did solo through Czechoslovakia a few years ago, but without a tent. Downhills will be fast!

My luxuries: moisturiser, skin toner and (I succumbed) a kindle. Wow, cycling with books to read, that really is a luxury and a first. Means I can have more than one guide book. And loads of free classic e-books (is that a contradiction in terms?). Still carrying the wonderful Richard's bicycle book which gives brilliant guidance that has enabled me to fix all kinds of things in the past. Plus he tells you how to kill a dog with a bike pump (this advice I have not tested, though I have been chased by dogs). Considered an e-book for the bike maintenance but just don't trust my ability to keep things charged or not to break the kindle.

Leaving tonight (by car), due at Heathrow around 6am tomorrow... I still prefer it when you just cycle down your own street and pedal a thousand miles.

Newsflash - planes are being delayed a few hours at Heathrow today. Not a good omen. My flight tomorrow is still on, for now...