Progress with Preparations

Last week was a good week with only 4 weeks until we arrive in Kolkata!

After a nailbiting wait, I heard on Wednesday that my passport was ready for collection and I am so grateful to my sister, Louise, for diverting to Edinburgh on Thursday to pick it up for me. On Thursday night I was on the Glasgow to London sleeper and then flew to Sweden on Friday evening.

Thanks also to Andrew Robertson for lending me his No.2 bike for the trip! It is a sturdy hybrid with broader tyres than a racing bike and more likely to cope with the rigours of the Bengali roads, traffic and obstacles. I collected it last week and put in for a service with Joe at Gear Bikes. I ordered a couple of spare inner tubes and my cousin Alan, who is responsible for talking me into this adventure, recommends we take a spare 'outer wheel' too - tyre to you and me!

Thanks to Louise and Andrew & Sheila for their generous sponsorship and indeed all those who have sponsored me to date!

Further progress with preparations included catching up with jabs and buying lights for the bike although I have to say I don't really fancy cycling on Indian roads in the dark! An emergency measure, it is to be hoped!

Meanwhile the training continues on the indoor trainer...

Nervously waiting for my visa

I finally handed in my visa application on Tuesday. It involved a special trip to Edinburgh and I am now nervously waiting to hear that my passport, and visa, are ready for collection. I am fairly reliant on my passport for regular journeys across the North Sea so it's been a challenge finding a window where I could be without it. I am hoping I can collect it in the next couple of days!
In Glasgow this weekend and without a bike so settled for a run along the canal to Port Dundas and back. Spotted a heron and 2 young deer, a couple of swans and the odd shopping trolley and wheelie bin in the canal!
Really looking forward to the trip now and wondering how India will have changed in the 20 years since I was last there! I chuckled when I heard this week that our drinking water will be supplied by Evian. 20 years ago I don't even remember Coca Cola and MacDonalds being in India! Mind you quite glad that we will be able to pamper our insides with Evian from a health perspective!
So, in 5 weeks we will have completed the first day of the cycling adventure! I only have 5 weeks to reach my fundraising target (30% of the way there already) and would really appreciate your sponsorship. All the money raised is going towards essential structural repair work at the school following the earthquake back in September. I will spending 7 days on the bike and you can donate really easily here in less than 7 minutes: http://www.justgiving.com/Mark-M-Henderson
Thank you!

Indoor Training

The training for the big event continues indoors away from the rain, cold and filthy roads. It feels a lot tougher without the road to concentrate on and surrounding scenery to enjoy. I think it's also tougher because there is no freewheeling downhill and I feel the need to push myself with a decent level of resistance! Takes a bit of getting used to and a greater amount of self-discipline not to mention the amount of sweat generated as there is no cooling rush of air.

Anyway onwards and upwards. Training feels urgent now after Christmas indulgence and with only 6 weeks or so to go!

http://www.justgiving.com/Mark-M-Henderson