A day barely goes by at the moment when something new isn’t delivered to the door. Today it was two new tyres and a First Aid Kit, yesterday a saddle bag for tools and a waterproof map case. I was never this well prepared before The Long Ride Home. My room looks like it did at as a student – clothes strewn across the floor surrounded by random boxes, bags, magazines and bits of paper. I’ve forgotten what it’s like to compartmentalise my belongings into four relatively small bags. This is what I’ll be doing in several weeks.

With all this gear lying around it’s about time I made a full list of what I’m taking on this expedition. An equipment page will be added to the site soon. That reminds me, I ought to find some insurance for it all.