Getting it together
I'm not sure if it's a good sign but I have come to realise that I under estimated this trip, without even having officially started!
Financial investment - I budgeted for the cost of the trip, plus about $10000 NZD for flights, bike and kit. I haven't sat down and calculated so I can't say if it was realistic, however it feels like a gross underestimate...
Flights were more than expected (about $2000 one way)...probably because I have chosen to reside in the least internationally accessible first world country. Fortunately I decided not to invest in a new bike, but rather refit my existing one - money saved. However, TdA are very specific in terms of packing requirements and storage space. We have been allocated a locker and a strict weight allowance of 2 x 23kg bags, these bags must be compressible, ideally water resistant/proof and strong i.e. a duffel bag. Having assumed I would be able to take my rucksack and sleeping bag, I now need to purchase two bags (about $1000 for the two), and a new sleeping bag ($150, because it was on sale) to fit in one of these bags. Then there is the bike itself - bike fit is stressed as one of the most important ways to prevent chronic pain on the trip (about $350 for this session), and all the spares and repair kit that needs to be taken (yet to be purchased). Medical supplies need to be taken by every individual, while there will be a doctor on the trip, they are unable to prescribe, we therefore need to be self sufficient pharmacies! I have been to the travel clinic, and had an appointment with a very engaging South African ultramarathon running doctor. He has prescribed some amoxicillin for general wounds, another antibiotic for non responsive diarrhoea, and some antimalarials. I am unable to take the cheapest antimalarial, Doxycycline, as it makes me photosensitive...naturally a three month supply of the one I can take is $1000. Joe (the doctor) recommended taking a reduce dose of the malarone - twice weekly instead of everyday. This sounded like a good idea, until I read a book about the Tour and discovered 5 people contracted malaria despite taking medication....may revise this reduced dose plan!
Accommodation is the next situation I am attempting to tackle and decide upon. My mother has very kindly immersed herself in the world of tents - and has decided my abode for the next 4 months should be a Hilleburg tent (about $1500). In actual fact, I am inclined to agree with her - 'you don't want to skimp on your only source of privacy and shelter on a trip plagued by thorns, deserts, wet seasons, mud'...but it seems alot to spend on a single item. I am trying to placate myself with the fact that it works out as about $12.50/night over a 4 month period.
The last expense that I have encountered so far is personal kit - bike shorts, bike shoes, a good waterproof jacket. As jackets go, I have an amazing Arc'teryx Woman's Alpha jacket which has served me well for over 5 years now, however the seams have started to unroll and the elastic hangs out. I have obviously decided that I shall replace it and take a new one on the trip, for a grand sum of $950....
Time and planning - there is a phrase 'to fail to prepare is to prepare to fail'. I am very much a subscriber to this philosophy...perhaps because it lulls me into believing that I can control my ability to succeed before even attempting the event. Anyhow, this is the next area which I failed to comprehend when I enrolled for TdA.
I mistakenly assumed that in signing up for the tour, it would all be organised for us and we simply had to book flights, do some training, and turn up. Not the case!
As you may have picked up from the 'financial investment' section, there is alot more to get together than flights and training. I am trying to break it down into digestible organisational chunks, although these chunks seem to fit with whatever I feel inspired to organise at the time. There isn't really a long term plan to ensure I achieve it all before departure date... I have one list of kit to take, divided into three categories, which I carry round with me every weekend I am on call...as these seem to be the days on which I am most productive...perhaps because I am forced to hang around, and need something to do while I await my calls. This list guides my research and organisation.
Visa applications are underway at the moment. It turns out the New Zealand doesn't have a Sudanese or Ethiopian embassy. These visas comprise two thirds of those which need to be obtained before the trip. The third is a Kenyan visa, which can be applied for online. The Ethiopian embassy, in Canberra, only issues 3 month visas, valid from date of issue. Logic dictates that I would be unable to submit my application until the end of November, to ensure the visa is valid when we enter Ethiopia. I am loath to send my passport to Australia, so close to the departure date, for an undefined length of time. My compromise has been to send it to my sister in London, and apply through the Embassy there - who appear to issue 6 month visas. This leaves Sudan, which I may have to leave, and apply for at the Embassy in Egypt.
I work full time, and live in a rural area. This makes purchasing kit an online affair. While I enjoy online shopping, there are somethings that are better decided in the flesh. Like which shoes fit. Which bike pack is best (half frame pack or saddle pack). It also makes it more difficult to organise travel clinic appointments, and bike fits...and find time for training.
I am reading a book at the moment called 'Dodging Elephants' by Alice Morrison who completed the TdA in 2011. It is a light hearted and enjoyable read, and I view it as part of my preparation. So far I have learnt that I need a 'freestanding' tent which is easy to put up when you are tired; a mallet and some rock pegs for the hard ground; a tarpaulin to cover my bike at night; a dust pan and brush to sweep out my tent before I sleep in it; something to clean my bike with properly each day (note mud in the cogs) and an endless supply of patient and hard grit! It sounds like a basic knowledge of bike repairs and maintenance will be highly beneficial as the mechanic is only open for a certain time period, and undoubtedly has a queue...meaning if you get in late after a long day, you are unlikely to get any help. I purchased a bike maintenance book from Amazon yesterday. She has also described days of dust and mud and sweat, with no access to water for washing. I am a clean person, and don't like being dirty. This is going to be difficult. I may go and invest in some dry shampoo today, and see how well that works.
Also on my list of things to do is organise is Kindle and books for evening, and border crossing entertainment. And an ipod or Spotify device for some company while pedal pushing.
Essentially while I am looking forward to the expedition, it is not without apprehension. The overwhelming part is in terms of organisation if when you focus on being prepared for all the 'what if's', what will I need if any number of things go wrong with my bike, what will I need if I get saddle sores, what will I need if I catch an exotic disease, what will I need if...
I had an epiphany the other day, all I will have to do for 4 months is cycle, sleep and eat. You don't need much to do that with.
