Monday, July 30, 2012

Setting off for Switzerland

I set off yesterday morning for Switzerland, feeling like this is probably the most hastily organised and poorly planned trip of my life.

I threw some clothes, spares for the bike and other essentials into my new panniers, and headed out for the first time on a fully loaded bike.

I quite like it.

Once I got over the feeling thqt the panniers we're going to jump off the back of the bike with everypot hole in the road, I found the extra weight quite stabilising and made good progress to Tottenham, before picking up the Lea Valley Walk and heading north to Enfield Lock for my lift to Dover.

We made it to Lille for our first overnight stop at 11.15pm and will complete a further 8 hours drive to Andermatt in the morning.

A big thanks to my logistics support: Damian, for agreeing to drive me to Switzerland at such short notice, and my Dad (the self-proclaimed Fat Controller) who will be feeding me route information by email as I go.

If you would like to support the trip, please find time to make a small donation, or spread the word. If you would like to join me and cycle part of the route, email me at fretwell.mark(a)gmail.com and let's see what we can work out.

In return I'll try to write as much as I can inbetween truning pedals and sourcing calories.

9 comments:

  1. Fantastic Mark! What a lovely thing to do. The Rhine valley is beautiful. I hope you get better weather than we did when we went camping in June. Wonderful campsites though and more schlosses (sp?) than you can shake a stick at. Happy travels. Helen xx

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    1. Thanks Helen - it is lovely today, so hopefully it will hold out!

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  2. Hi Mark,
    Brilliant to hear you're on your way, and looking forward to hearing all about the journey.
    Guys, don't forget to subscribe to email updates via that box over there --->>>>>
    Su

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  3. Gluck auf Mark - have a great trip. Your blog is already blogged at
    http://spokeperson.wordpress.com/

    (I just crossed Germany East to West on 2 wheels).

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    1. Thanks Alastair, that is much appreciated. Your trip looks amazing, and I know I'll enjoy reading it in full when I get a bit more time. Now I am headed for the Oberalp Pass - which sounds a bit scary!

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  4. An ambitious and inspirational challenge, and one that we shall all be supporting every part of the way Mark! May the beauty, power and wonder of the Rhine help you cope with all the difficult physical and emotional demands of your trip, and speed you on your way. Safe journey, we look forward to updates as you go. Liz

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  5. Wish I was with you Mark - for about 20km a day! I will be with you in spirit. May the wind always be at your back.

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  6. Thanks everyone for the lovely comments and messages of support. Mel's fundraising page reached over £2,000 yesterday, which is absolutely amazing. Hopefully it can continue the upwards trajectory.

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