Testing

This is a test of posting a blog entry from email

---

View your Twitter and Flickr updates from one place - Learn more!

My packing list

Maps
- Cycle map from Ysatd to Haparanda
- Vagkartan for Malmo
- Ohlands Kartan

Books
- Alastair Reynolds, Diamond Dogs, Turquoise Days (fiction)
- Alastair Humphreys, Moods of future joys, book 1 of cycling around the world
- Alastair Humphreys, Thunder and sunshine, book 2 of cycling around the world

Food
- 6 x Vitargo recovery packs (for the end of each day)
- 1 x Vitargo carbloader (for Friday night)
- 3 x Vitargo energy bars (in case I bonk)

Mobile phone plus recharger
iPod plus recharger
Camera plus recharger
Passport (in case I go to Denmark or Finland)

Medical Kit
- 2 x factor 50 sun lotion
- 1 x factor 25 lipbalm
- 1 x after sun
- 1 x bepanthen (used to treat nappy rash for babies)
- 2 x anti histamine (1 x soluable tablets, 1 x blister pack)
- wound swabs
- plasters

Repair kit
- 3 x inner tubes
- 2 x puncture repair kits
- 2 x tyre levers
- 1 x pump
- 1 x bike multi tool

Clothing evening
- pair of trainers
- 1 x t-shirt
- 2 x underwear
- 1 x lightweight trousers
- 1 x fleece
- 1 x towel

Clothes cycling
- pair of cycling shoes
- 1 x socks
- 1 x cycling shorts
- 1 x cycling top (short sleaves)
- 1 x jogging tights
- 1 x long sleeved jogging top
- 1 x cycling jacket
- 1 x poncho
- pair of cycling gloves
- sweatband with neck cover

Washing kit
- tooth brush
- tooth paste
- shampoo
- shower soap
- moisturising cream
- razor and recharger
- travel clothes wash

2 litre camel pack
2 x rear panniers
1 x handlebar bag
1 x toy giraffe (mascot)

Getting closer

Its now Sunday and if all goes to plan this time next week I should be somewhere down South almost finishing my second day of cycling. I must sayu though that my plans and preperation suck. A combination of too much work and not enough time means that with less a week to go Im not sure what or where I will be going.

The plan was to go away on the Saturday morning and head South for a week ending up in Malmo where I am hoping to meet an old friend who I havent seen in years. Turns out that that part of the plan is still ok as Torbjorn is still very much around and would love to see me. So thats a date that I dont intend missing.

Only compication is that Susie and Fredrik may not talke that week off as planned. Fredrik is currently out in Kuwait and will be there until at least Wednesday. Considering that they havent even discussed where to go or what to do means that in all probability they will not go anywhere and instead Fredrik wil work that week allowing them to take a different week. With that in mind Susie is now thinking about maybe I would like 2 weeks away.

So with that in mind I have been giving some thought on what to do.

Plan A is 1 week cycling as previously planned to Malmo via Ohland

Plan B is 2 weeks cycling starting from Ystad and ending on the Finnish border at Hasparanda.

I was in town with Susie yesterday getting some cyclin gear (recovery packs, factor 50 sun lotion etc) when we came across a map shop. They stock am number of reaslly good map books including the east coast of Sweden trail. 2500km starting in Ystad. Now that would be a bike ride!

Nice thing about the book is the maps. Good clear roads all the way and easy enough to follow. Even if I only go for a week I will follow the trail from Stockholm to Ystad as it will cover at least 75% of what I will ride.

Cant wait for Saturday