DalyBulge
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Today is the last day. Now my first day.
Today, Is going to be my last day working the shitty night shift at Tesco. I leave, feeling sorry for my fellow co-workers. A true Socialist attitude! However, I keep hope for them, as I do myself. One day we will find freedom. I would be very happy if the government increased these peoples' hourly pay. I think pay hasn't increased in line with rising costs for much too long. It shows in the workers' voices, by the things they say. "This is too much for me", "There has to be something better", "I can't take this anymore". These are statements I have had to endure over the last 6 months. Well, it taught me a thing or two about life in this God foresaken country! Segregation in the workplace. Asian teens being overly aggressive, white workers, some of the fairest-of faced white workers, voting BNP. The shop floor is the centre of Brittish life. Like the adult Schoolyard.
Today begins my final preparation for my first cycle tour. I hope to make it as far as Italy. But, I can only hope. I have fears of my funds running out. Freezing to death in a wet tent. Death, Injury, pain. I will be homeless upon my return, I hope someone will be sympathetic to me. Not many, if any, are, or have been. I don't believe in God, I believe in freedom. However, I find myself calling out to something, to keep me safe.
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2.9.06 09:24
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My last day in hell.
I quit Tesco. If you ever visit the Haslingden branch, please do not eat the loose broccoli. I left a message on one of the store fridge doors. It read: " In a society that has abolished all adventures, the only adventure left is to abolish society." It recieved mixed reviews.
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3.9.06 09:13
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Final Adjustments.
I did some final adjustments to my bike. I fixed the terrible squeal that my brakes were making. If there is one thing that can get to me like that nails down a blackboard scene in Jaws, then it is squealing brakes on a bike. I also fitted my front pannier rack, extra bottle cage and pedal replacement. There is some nice weather due this week (Famous last words), so I think I will make a break for it. I was due to be the designated bus driver for a few weeks at my Dads' School. Driving Catholic Schoolgirls to gym classes all day kinda grabbed my attention for a while. Then the idea of jail time soon followed.
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7.9.06 16:44
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Equipment List... And Swallows.
I thought I would spend a moment publishing my equipment list. I got many recommendations from people, websites, and fellow hardcore bike travellers. Corax Terra Nova Solar 1 tent -
I bought this on ebay for £40. Ebay Terra Nova Tents Here Damn Bargain of the century if you ask me! £280 new! Although now discontinued i believe. Its a red outer fly, with yellow inner. Single easton aluminium pole, weighs less than 2kg (dry!), And is absolutely watertight. As with all tents however, internal condensation can develop if not vented/ wet clothing is left inside the tent. Although...... UCO candle Lantern -
Bought on eBay for £10, with three extra candles. Lasts longer than batteries do, gentle light, heat dries up condensation. Have small paranoia about burning to death in the night, and/or waking up with soot around nostrils. But not been a problem yet. Alpkit Wee Airic 'thermarest' camping mat -
Costs just £15 including delivery, and includes a puncture repair kit & bag. Was going to buy a genuine Thermarest Prolite 3 (£60+!!) until i did some research on cheaper alternatives. MSR XGK II stove -
The best stove available? New, it costs over a hundered smackeroonies. Burns any liquid fuel. However, I am still confused as to how I fill up the bottle at the petrol station? The pump hose wont fit inside the bottle neck. Perhaps a funnel? Spillage! I was going to buy a Primus Omnifuel stove because it burns LP gas cans too, but weighs twice as much as MSR. I bought the XGK again on eBay for £30. Ebay Msr Stoves Here. It included a foldable heat shield, spare bottle & xtra service kit! eBay is your friend! Roars like a space shuttle. Ortlieb Classic Panniers & xs drybag -
I read all about these on various cycle touring sites. I initially had no idea, and was going to buy some nylon shite. Bought new, as eBay auctions weren't much cheaper. Ebay Ortlieb Panniers Here I guess they are desirable. Altura Nevis Waterproof Jacket -
Bargain, in my book. I can't afford Gore tex. Except for... Freestyle Gore Tex Hood - When I realised that the jacket didn't have a hood, I bought this on eBay for £7. Only downside, is that the jacket is Yellow, and the hood is red. But who cares anyhow? Outwell teflon camping stove set & kettle -
Ebay for £5. Brand new kit. Couldn't refuse the offer. I figure the MSR stove will destroy the teflon coating in a couple of sessions. Victorinox Swiss army knife -
ebay for £3. Has knife for eating, scissors, can opener, bottle opener, corkscrew etc etc.. Petzl Tikka head torch -
Had it for many years now. Takes Nimh AAA batteries which my camera takes also. Alpkit Alpine Dream 700 Sleeping bag -
£100 for a high quality down sleeping bag. I was going to get a Nanok bag. However, it weighs over 2.5kg I tried it out the other day in the house. Woke up covered in sweat. Note to self - Dont use sleeping bag indoors. *Just at this moment I heard a thump against my window. Went outside and found 2 swallows sitting dazed & confused on the floor. I poked them a bit, which was fun. Took a couple of snaps (See pictures). I once heard a tale that if a swallow lands on the ground it cannot take off again - Its a lie. Well, you know what they say; 'Two swallows don't make a summer!" lol. 
That one at the back is questioning its' existence. The front one sees dead people. Kinda like me during my University days.
So, where were we?
Blackburn Front Pannier rack & Tortec Rear Pannier -
Both Aluminium, & according to serious reviews, a heap on shit. But the Blackburn rack cost me £4 on eBay, and the Tortec; £3. I bet they don't break either!
Topeak Hexus Tool -
It was half the price of an 'Alien II' tool.
Clothing:
*Thermal shirts (Which I already own)
*3x socks (1 Thermal)
*Patagonia Fleece Jacket
*Nike Fleece zip top (TKMax!)
*Bike shorts
*Sandals
*Specialized Bike Shoes (I just like the fit of them) - I have considered toe strap pedals & a pair of Merrell outdoor shoes. However, Can't afford them this time round. Maybe in the future? Sponsorship anyone?
*AirFrance Sleep Kit (Freebie from longhaul. Includes Ear plugs & eye mask)
*Travel towel
*Trainers (my Outdoor shoes Died a death)
*Sunglasses
*Small wash bag kit
*Tissues 
Various Equipment:
*Blackburn Mini pump
*Zip-Loc bags (Tesco Fish bags! Cheers Tesco!)
*Compass
*Bungee Cords
*Mini storage tubs for Tea, Kfc sugar sachets etc...
*Bike Lock
*Note Pad & Pen- One day I shall own some thing like this OQO, Or like this Palm Store 
*Sony DSC-U50 Camera - I love it, although I would like audio with my video for video weblogs (VBlogs?) or Porno.
*Ipod - Luxury item! However, it holds movies, music, podcasts, comedy shows (Radio4s' I'm Sorry I haven't a Clue), Porn, Pictures from my camera, rss web feeds, Diary, calender, Maps, etc etc.. Not really a luzury then when you think about it.
*Book - Light reading like Sartre, Voltaire, Camus etc 
*Cig Lighter - For Stove.
*Bike LED lights
*Specialized Body Geometry Saddle - I have no arse flesh to cushion my lanky frame & prevent ring sting.
*2 Bottle cages & Bottles
*Cateye Computer
*Spare chain pins
*Spare cable
*Small Gaffer tape (In case the pannier racks break )
*Inner tube
*Credit Card
*Lonely Planet W.Europe guide - Cut in half, as it would have weighed like a NORI brick Lonely Planet Language Guides 
*Spare Nimh AAA batteries
*Passport & Drivers' License (Lol!)
*Extra camera Memory Stick duo
*Ibuprofen & Tom Simpson 'Uppers'
*Spork
*Foldable Mug
Dream Items:
*Waterproof down sleeping bag Like this one Marmot
*A Digital camera with Video, so I could do a Video Blog.
*Palm Tx PDA - Palm Store 
*A custom bike!
*Garmin GPSMAP 60csx
Got any good suggestions?
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7.9.06 19:14
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Garden Fruit
I checked the garden today, and found some stuff like marrows & pears. There were some good looking butterflies too. My question is this: what are you meant to do with a marrow? Hollow it out, then chuck it in the bin? 
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8.9.06 14:19
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Final Prep - scared!
I did my packing and prep for the ride. I cut off bits off rubbish, and hacked up the overbearing Lonely Planet Language Guides (See pic)
Total weight of panniers, bags & water = 16kg
Bike weight = 12kg
= 28kg  Although I have read that the great Heinz Stucke has baggage weighing over 60kg. Which, frankly, makes me look pathetic.
I think I have everything I need. Please remind me to reset my bike computer. 
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8.9.06 17:22
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One Week in...
Alright... Just arrived in Tenby, Wales. Too many tourists for my liking. However, the weather here is perfect, and they can't be blamed. Briefly, I have visited:
Accrington
Blackburn
Ormskirkrk (Cheers Ross for Accom)
Liverpool
Cheshire
Bangor
Nant Peris
Harlech
Barmouth
Borth
Aberistwyth
Cardigan
Newport
Fishgard
Pembroke
Tenby.
Up to Borth, the ride has been physically enjoyable, except for the Llanberis Pass. So, as soon as I set off from Borth, I was faced with a 25% gradient. And, pretty much, it has been up and down like this all the way to Tenby. Pretty soul destroying, but, the views have been worth it. I think. Nearly killed myself, cycling from Aberistwyth to Cardigan. I put all my energy into riding to Cardigan, and forgot to save some energy to find a campsite. barely managed to put my tent up.
Anyhow, I am still alive. Stove works like magic, tent is great.
Only gear problems: Brakes need service due to said hills, and my Alpkit camp mat is fucked. I subconsciously inflate it at least three times per night, which makes me laugh. I imagine myself trying to inflate my matress back home in my sleep. Sleeping has been a mixture of pleasure and pain. Slept on the beach at Borth, and woke to be savaged by sand flies. still itchy. Anyway, I am planning on camping on Tenby golf course tonight. Gonna pick a late hole, like the 9th, so that I get enough time to shift if I hear golfers in the morning. Later.
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16.9.06 17:26
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