Sat Nav

After pissing about with my tomtom rider* I have found it almost impossible to plan a complete route so have decided to get a Garmin Zumo 550. I've used the Garmin maps before and they can be superimposed onto Google Earth showing the whole route on one map.

*Map card keeps dropping out so can't use cigarette lighter as power source. Connections in cradle don't appear to work and as it only holds a charge for about 3 hours it won't be much use to me.

Sponsors

I have emailed various organisations but not had much luck in getting sponsors. To date Piaggio, Middlesbrough FC, Birmingham City FC, and Thompsons Scooters have agreed. Suzie Perry and Gary Havelock will be publicising the trip on their web sites so that should help a bit.

If any corporate people read this I do need some help with the cost of the trip as ALL donations will be going to charity.

The beginnings

I have started to plan the route and it looks like the trip may take longer than planned and I will have to ride over 6 hours a day and I am a bit concerned if I am physically capable of that over a long period.

It took the best part of twelve months to plan the route and it wasn't 6 hours a day, more like 8 or 9. This was because my route kept me as close as possible to the coastline so roads were often single track and twisty keeping the average speed down.