Maria, oddly enough I was going to suggest a few test rides down the A3 it's a road the Derbi finds surprisingly testing with a bunch of long, not steep climbs which see the speed gradually dropping until you have that gut wrenching decision to make about whether the gear you're in will get you over the hill or whether you have to change down and be on something that sounds like a hyper-annoyed wasp.

Then there's the climb over the South Downs at Butser Hill just south of Petersfield to give that white van up your backside feeling as he tries to make you go faster in "his" lane while the BMWs storm past in the other lane.

After that come off the A3 towards Chichester and back across the downs via Lavant, Goodwood towards Petworth where you could probably even find a green lane or two to bounce your luggage about with. There's also the sands of Frensham if you want to scare yourself.

I think that loop sums up pretty much every problem a 125cc rider can face in Europe at least all in the space of 100-150 miles and easily doable with pauses to adjust things, check straps etc even when you add in all the faffing about getting into and out of London.

A quick thought on packing, although Mike will know more, I've found that width makes more difference than height. Usual bike packing suggests you put weight low down in panniers with a roll bag if you need it. But panniers do nothing for aerodynamics whereas bags tucked behind the rider tend not to make much difference. With the Derbi and panniers and throwing in a headwind is a bit like throwing a parachute out of the back.

When are you two off? We should all come and wave you off.

__________________