Equipment update

Tents and shelters

I've now acquired two tents, both theoretically 2 man tents, so we may only need to take one with us.

The tents, though relatively inexpensive, do not have the dreaded, bulky and plasticky, polyethylene ground sheet, instead they have polyester Oxford fabric bath-tub ground sheets, with a 3000 mm hydrostatic head, and taped seams. They also have aircraft grade aluminium poles, and not the less stable, and more brittle, fibreglass poles.

Each tent has an entrance on either side, rather than a single entrance at one end, making sharing the same tent a lot easier, and improving ventilation during hot days/nights.

Should the ground be waterlogged, I also have an additional 2 metre x 2.1 metre Oxford fabric, 3000 mm hydrostatic head, tarp/groundsheet to place under the tent, if needed.

This smaller groundsheet, can also provide a base for additional aluminium poles, to create an extension awning using another, larger, 3 metre x 3 metre tarp/groundsheet, both groundsheets, can also be used to create basic open-ended, or lean-to, Army style bashas, if nothing more is required - especially when wild camping amongst trees.

Pannier bags

I've bought a pair EIGO 21 litre pannier bags (42 litres total capacity), which use Rixen & Kaul clip fittings, along with a compatible Ibera pannier rack, and an Ibera, quick release, 17 litre, top bag.

Care needs to be taken when ordering pannier racks, as not all are compatible with bikes with disc brakes.

Yes, I'd dearly love to have bought Ortlieb panniers, but they're way out of my current price range - unfortunately.

Additional information and links

I've set up a JustGiving page, initially to help fund the ride, as we need some equipment to help us along the way https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/martyn-feather

The JustGiving pages for the dementia charities are now live: 

Alzheimer's Society page - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/martyn-feather-as

Dementia UK page - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/martyn-feather-duk

I've also created another page, which gives a brief description of the ride, and the route, here http://design4dementia.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/were-raising-500-to-help-fund-350-mile.html

@inmemoryofmymum can be found on both Facebook and Twitter, so you can follow the ride there too. You can also find me on Facebook - Martyn Feather (Skippy), and Twitter - @ZkidooKreativ

© Martyn Feather 2017

Cycling4Dementia

Planning ahead - en-route power requirements for technology...

At the moment, I'm researching what we may need for the ride. I intend to take photos and videos along the route, so some means of recharging certain items is required.

I've just ordered a USB dynamo charger to test out over the next few weeks. It basically works like any other bicyle rim dynamo, but instead of having a 6 volt output for lights, it has two 5 volt 1A USB ports. It also has its own internal 1000 mAh battery, as back up.

As well as testing the dynamo charger on my phone, I'll also be testing it on two power banks I already have. One is a larger KINPS 18500 mAh 5V/2A power bank, whilst the other is a smaller Urban Revolt 2200 mAh 5V/1A.

Besides the phone, I'll also need to charge my Contour Roam 3 action camera (for on bike videos), and my tablet. These I'll be charging from the re-charged power banks, when no mains power is available at overnight stops.

I'm also looking into USB solar charging panels. One of these will be used to help charge the power banks in the evening and early mornings, again, when no mains power is available.

Fortunately, I won't be needing to charge batteries for my other two cameras, a Canon IXUS 275 HS (compact), and a Canon EOS 700D (DSLR), plus an 18-135 mm zoom lens, as I have enough spare batteries, which will be fully charged before we leave, for both.

There is a very good chance that I may not be taking the Canon 700D, due to its size and weight. The Canon IXUS is very capable of taking decent still photos, and is very good for videos too, though its sound recording capabilities are limited.

If I decide not to take the DSLR, I may instead take a ZOOM H4n Handy (digital) Recorder, to use with the IXUS. It is compact, lightweight, and able to record stereo, using two built-in microphones. It also uses two, readily obtainable, AA batteries.

Navigation

Whilst my smart phone is GPS capable, and currently has the ViewRanger app installed, along with some OS maps, I will probably subscribe to the OS Maps 12 month option. With this, I can plan the route on a PC, synchronise the route on a phone app, and print the maps needed, on to - conveniently sized - A4 sheets.

This way, I'll be using the traditional, low-tech, map and compass (yes I still have my military Silva compass), and use the phone as back-up, if, in the extremely unlikely event, it is needed.

Well, that's the first installment about the planning phase of the bike ride. I'll be adding much more about planning and equipment, later.

Additional information and links

I've set up a JustGiving page, initially to help fund the ride, as we need some equipment to help us along the way https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/martyn-feather

The JustGiving pages for the dementia charities are now live: 

Alzheimer's Society page - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/martyn-feather-as

Dementia UK page - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/martyn-feather-duk

I've also created another page, which gives a brief description of the ride, and the route, here http://design4dementia.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/were-raising-500-to-help-fund-350-mile.html

@inmemoryofmymum can be found on both Facebook and Twitter, so you can follow the ride there too. You can also find me on Facebook - Martyn Feather (Skippy), and Twitter - @ZkidooKreativ

© Martyn Feather 2017