Polo Bike Check

Having no uni and lots of spare time i spent my day rebuilding my polo bike. Changes include a new 22t freewheel and dual brakes.


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As for my "mogress", not much to say, day 2 and zero growth... i am not surprised.

Donations welcome

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Uni exams are next week, and I'm pretty sure TEE exams have started. Heres some motivation for you :)

thanks bobby

I'm Back

Well, been back home for just over a month now and it seems like I did my trip years ago. Its weird to think that in a month of bike touring I could experience so much and have time fly so quickly, and a month back home it seems like I've been sitting in a time freeze where nothing has changed..

Back home, one of the most common questions I get asked is a straight up, "how was it?". God dammit, I know no one means any harm in asking it, but it is one of the most frustrating things for me because I simply can't summarise my trip into one sentence, or even one conversation. How do I summarise 4 months of travel and 8000km?

I guess my first response is a simple.. "Awesome". Then I expand by saying it was an experience of a lifetime, and good fun. meh, don't really want to get suckered into turning into a self promoting, stuck up traveller, so I leave it there unless they ask more about the trip. I guess I've been going through a little bout of Post Touring Depression. The first few weeks were tough, I had nothing planned, no job, barely spoke to any of my friends, I was in my own isolated turtle shell. Resenting my decision to finish my tour. The weeks go by, and you take little baby steps, I barely touched my bike, so I decided it was time to put it together and ride a little bit, I got my old job back and really love what I do best, bartending. I play POLO, god how I love polo, it keeps me going week by week... Theres still a ways to go, but it'll take time, I guess when you're out there living it day by day its a real shock to the system when you go back home.



I'd love to summarise my trip here, but I've pretty much written about it already, so I don't want to type it out twice. If you haven't seen it already, check out the day to day journal of my tour. I do drag on sometimes, but if you don't have time, just browse through the photos, almost every single one of them has a caption and you'll be able to get the jist of the whole tour by simple looking through the photos.

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In other news. This month I'll be trying my best to raise funds for Movember.
Here I am cleanly shaved and ready to go. If you know me well enough, you'd probably know that my facial hair grows at a breakneck speed... (sarcasm) ie. I'll probably end up with a little bit of fluff by the end of the month, but that doesn't mean I can't try. Its the effort that counts right?



Anyway, to keep this blog going, I'll try my best to post a daily picture of my "fluff". I've set my goal to $200, so if you'd like to donate, check out my MOSPACE and donate here. Every cent will be greatly appreciated.

that is all for now.

ciao

and I'm off!

Well, today was my official "Day 1" for the trip.
Will be making some distance tomorrow and unfortunately won't be able to update this blog whilst I'm gone as I have committed to a Journal of my trip on CrazyGuyOnABike.com.

You'll be able to follow my ride either via my Twitter page which will just feature daily distances.. or my Journal (which won't be up to date but will have more day to day details) which can be found here.


peace out

-Prawi

delay in departure

Been feeling really down lately so I went to the "Doctor" today. My dad recommended I go to a Naturopathic clinic for a more "in-depth" analysis. After a lengthy discussion on my health and lifestyle I ended up with some homoeopathic medicine to boost my immune system along with some good advice, I may have to delay my departure again! Oh well, don't want to leave without feeling 100%, so I guess I'll just have to be patient.

I may have to get my blood tested next week if I'm not feeling any better, not fun.

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I worked my last shift the other night, mixed emotions about that.

I think working in a bar/nightclub should definitely be in everyone's to do list before you die. I've met some awesome people, had a blast of a time and learned so many new things.


Fun promo work! Featured in Australian Bartender Magazine. hahah!
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ANYWAY, to less depressing issues.

I'm going to buy an iPod touch tomorrow for two reasons:

1) Don't think a radio will be enough to entertain me. My own music should hopefully ease the boredom.
2) WiFi internet & email for portable blogging without a laptop.


well.. that's the theory anyway. not sure what the WiFi availability is like around rural Australia... probably extremely poor, so I'm in it for the music.

an iphone is a little out of my price range, I'd be locked into a pricey contract; out in the middle of nowhere with no reception for 4 months, I'd potentially be wasting a lot of money.

*edit* Might just get a good old classic iPod...

*

getting organised ain't easy...

Equipment List

A general outline to everything I'll bring. To be Updated.

Tools:
1x Leatherman JuiceS2: Multi purpose, compact, awesome.

-6,5,4,3mm Hex Wrench: I prefer having each individual hex wrench, easier to work with.
-8,10mm spanner: For rack, fender adjustment/tightening.
-Cassette Lockring Remover
-Chain Whip: Park Tool Pedal Remover/Chainwhip combo. Not 100% sure if I'll bring this, but will mainly be used to replace driveside spokes.

-Spoke Key: To true wheels
-Tire levers
-Presta to Schrader Adaptor: If my pump fails me.
-Pump: Topeak Road Morph

-Chainbreaker: Park Tool


-Grease
-Chain Lube

Clothing:
1x SS Icebreaker Merino Baselayer
1x LS Icebreaker Merino Baselayer
2x Outlier Ultrafine Merino Tee

1x Merino Wool cycling jersey
1x Ground effect "Two Timer" Windproof fleece winter riding jacket/vest.

1x Mountain Hardware Rainjacket
1x Ground Effect "Super Tanker" Shorts

1x Cut-off Jeans (latfh)
1x Themal Leggings
3x Underwear
1x SealSkinz Merino Waterproof socks
1x Winter Socks
1x Shimano MT60 MTB SPD Shoes (water proof)

1x dhb Merston Skull Cap
1x dhb Buff (dont know why I bought this... but hopefully it comes in handy)

1x Fleece Gloves
1x Fleece Beanie
1x Cycling Cap
1x Sunnies
1x Belt

Electronics
1x SPOT GPS Messenger
1x Freeplay Radio/light/Phonecharger
1x Canon IXUS 100 IS Camera
1x Mini Tripod
2x 8Gb SD Cards
1x 4Gb SD Card
1x SD Card Reader
1x Phone
2x Rear Lights

Camping Gear
1x Exped Downmat 9
1x GoLite Ultra 20 down sleeping bag
1x Silk liner
1x Tarp
2x 4L Water Bladders
1x One man tent
1x MSR Whisperlite
1x Toiletries kit



Spares/Miscellaneous
1x First Aid Kit
1x Shamwow: My Towel

2x Brake Cables
1x Patch Kit
1x Super Glue
2x Inner Tubes
Assorted Zipties
Assorted Spare Bolts
1x Sleeping Mat Patch kit
1x Brake Pads
1x U-lock
1x Whisperlite Maintenance kit

Final Touches

Well I'm in a bit of a writing mood, I hope I don't bore you to death. Lets go.



How often do you get a "year off" to do whatever you want?

It came about slightly unexpectedly; I didn't do too well studying engineering at University last year and was put on one year academic leave. I get a year to do whatever I want, I don't think another opportunity like this will ever come up again.

I went for an interview with my student advisor to discuss my options. My first setback. I had none. I couldn't help but get distracted by one thought, "BIKE TRIP!", I sat there happily nodding my head and smiling, the advisor was a little apprehended by my enthusiasm for getting suspended, but I was in my own little world already examining all the possibilities for the year ahead. I walked out of the room without a question. Sad? No. Excited? YES. I rode home with a huge grin on my face, this year was full of potential.

I didn't know it then, but I wanted to do something big.

I looked into my bank account, $0.91. Shit, my second setback. Immediately I started working my arse off. I worked in a bar as a bartender, the hours left me nocturnal 4 to 5 nights a week. I set out to be the best bartender I could be, studying my workmates, learning new cocktails, increasing efficiency and developing my 'people skills', all in all earning more and more money as I got more experience. The harder I worked, the more money I earned. If I came home feeling exhausted, I had done my job well. As much as my parents hated this lifestyle, out late every night, I realised that every extra hour I worked would mean I could spend an extra day on the road.

As the money poured in, I spent all my hours during the day researching and doing my best to make the trip run as smoothly as possible. A budget was set, and now everything is coming together like clockwork. I joked around the idea of cycling around Australia before I left school. Its now actually going to happen. I can't really believe it.

Now, I'm having pre-trip anxiety, setback #3. Just when you think you're ready to leave, you begin to miss everything you already have, how good you have it, awesome friends, family, work, routine, life. I then tell myself that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, if I don't go I know I'd be kicking myself for years to come.

(I'm going to miss Stacey too! )

The decision is set, I'm going, but not without another setback. I'm sick. Its this time of the year, its getting colder, riding at night... working nights. None of it helps. Had a cough, and now I've developed a sore throat with a bit of a cold. Been pounding Omega 3, Garlic and Multivitamin tables. I've been gargling anything I can to help it, cayenne pepper, salt, lemon, apple cider vinegar. I'm desperate! I may have to go to the doctor tomorrow if it doesn't get any better.

Anyway, hopefully I get over it quickly. I look forward to the trip ahead of me. May it bring good times along with the bad. I'm excited.

Heres how the bike is looking in its current state... still a little more work to do. She still doesn't have a name yet.




Just need to swap over some clipless pedals, chuck on the rear rack and give her a final tune up. She's nearly ready to go!