I have always wanted to do a RTW, and my wife has always agreed that it would be great. But I don’t think she ever thought that going for that long and that far is actually an “Achievable Dream” (to pilfer the phrase), and that (really) it was just a nice flight of fancy to talk about and wish for.



Well this weekend she came to the HU UK with me. My cunning plan was to show her that it not just a pipe dream, and that if we put our minds to it we can do it. Well after a fantastic weekend packed with great talks and great people she is convinced! We are no longer talking “oh wouldn’t that be nice” but are now talking how, when and where….



This is where the plan has gone amiss.. NEITHER OF US can concentrate on anything else, we have been firing emails and phone call back and forth all day at work, talking budgets, final modifications to the bike, debating routes. Its great!!! but I have spent a grand total of 10 minutes actually concentrating on my job and Mrs.X is no better! At this rate we both will get fired in a matter of days. This will not help in raising the funds we need. I hope that this over excited state will die down to a low simmer in the next few days and we can keep our jobs, and plan properly!


So I just wanted to say thanks to every one at the HU UK: Grant, Susan, Sam, Glynn, all the volunteers and speakers and also to all the people that are just there making it a welcoming and informative place. Thanks everyone! I hope I don’t see you next year (well in this country anyway)!



Great weekend everyone!!!

Xander

__________________
2000 Africa Twin
http://two-up-ona-twin.blogspot.com

I am afraid that you have totally stuffed it!!!!

Until the day you go nothing else will matter, same while you are away.... The best bet is to get a job working for your local authority - that way when you do bugger-all work no-one will be any the wiser (worked for me, apologies to any Sheffield tax-payers)! Either that or just go NOW and get some immediate satisfaction!

Remember that planning is only partly necessary, the more you do the less the adventure on the road. Visas, jabs and a passport are the only essentials, and visas can be gathered en-route

Read "planning" as saving money ...

__________________
2000 Africa Twin
http://two-up-ona-twin.blogspot.com

Snap!
I knew the HUUK meet would be a disaster for me. Only 12 weeks with a bike (to make my commute to my ‘savings’ place every day that little bit more enjoyable), and just 12 months back from a 12 months trip (non-bike), my feet were itchy enough anyway. Not long in my job (took me a while to admit I had to go back to the field I used to work in to get some cash!) and it’s not enjoyable. Now I’m starting to think about which bike I’d like to do it on, how quickly I could get cash together while still having fun here, and ‘just be happening’ to watch the HU dvd when my girlfriend comes in….
The thing I failed to pick up on was how much people usually left with on a trip – e.g. the costs. I know you can do it as ‘cheaply’ or as expensively as possible but I lorded it up on my 12 months so would like to have the cash behind me before I did it again so I wasn’t forced to work in some unenjoyable job abroad to afford the next leg / some diving / etc. At least I get paid half decent for being frustrated here…..it’s just not an ideal solution ;->
Doesn’t help with a guy I rode down with away to embark on a trip later in the year, and a local HU community member prepping a bike for a trip even sooner!
Enjoy the ‘planning’!

Good luck to you both, Xander @ least your both in this together that should help in the long run. I am interested in any changes you make to your bike and if you could let me know through your trip what you would recommend /change.

Will do mate

__________________
2000 Africa Twin
http://two-up-ona-twin.blogspot.com

Good luck to you Xander


Keep us informed on your plans, when you start, where do yo go first, etc., etc.

Bye for now,

Fabien