Only 50 Days to go!!

Everyday my heart starts beating a little faster and faster.

If you've ever done something extreme in your life like skydiving or bungee jumping etc, you'll be able to understand that feeling you get just before you 'jump'.
Butterflies fluttering around in your stomach, your heart racing, struggling to breathe.

That is the place where I am at now. I can feel myself shuffling closer and closer to that JUMP.
Running around in my mind to make sure that I haven't forgotten anything.
Making sure international orders for gear have been placed and are on their way.

Keeping track with affairs around Africa. Protests, border closures etc.

Waiting for people to get back to me on articles, potential sponsors etc etc.
It's all just a little chaotic.

Last night Hanret and I sat until around 2am in the morning doing online shopping for a whole bunch of my gear.
Tent (Sponsored by Hanret), Outdoor gear (Sponsored by Guy Pearce) - Clothing, MSR multi-fuel camp stove and bottles, headlamp, clothing, solar charger (Powermonkey explorer) etc.
As well as my pannier bags and racks (Sponsored by Picobella) - Ortlieb panniers and Old Man Mountain racks. Wateproof casing for my Nokia N8 (Sponsored by Nokia) has been purchased through Aquapac.net - UK (Aquapac is giving me 50% discount on all purchases)

Clothing has been received from Apres Velo, with more to come. As well as clothing from Gravel Clothing.

I am currently undergoing advanced tactical training / hostile environment training, sponsored by Tacmo.
Saturday was my first day of training. Suffice it to say that I could hardly move on Sunday! :D
These guys won't take it easy on me...and I rather prefer and am grateful for that. Just one day's training has already given me more confidence and a mental advantage!

ER24 is sponsoring me with a comprehensive first aid kit, including malaria prevention meds and test kit. And a comprehensive contact list for medical assistance in all the countries I will be traveling through.

I am currently waiting to hear about potential GoPro camera sponsorship.

All that's left is my bike. Service, a few parts replaced, spares, and a few 'small' items. Tubes, tyres, gloves, pump, lock, helmet, repair kits etc.

This is serious countdown time! :)

Launch day is 27 April 2011, from Camps Bay, Cape Town, South Africa.
I'll be launching from Vida e Caffe in Camps Bay.
This will be a fun, group ride event. Anyone and everyone welcome!

Facebook event

Facebook Group

Outdoor Gear Sponsor - Guy Pearce

I received an email on Friday 28 Jan 2011 from a man named Guy Pearce.

In this email he asked me what the most important pieces of gear would be that I would like to get out of the way and what it would cost.
I replied with a list of my outdoor gear needed with costs attached.

Guy is the Chief Executive: New Business Development at the JD Group.
And he has sponsored the total amount for my outdoor gear needed, out of his own pocket.
In his words: "My proposal is I'll give you the total amount out of my own pocket (such things are quite tough to motivate in a corporate environment where the policy is only groups)."

This from an individual who has never met me!
Thank you for your support Guy! And for believing in me!

In return I will be giving a motivational talk to the staff at the JD Group.

Sponsored items include:
*Tent
*Multi-fuel Stove and soloist cooking system
*Clothing
*Petzl Headlamp
*Solar Charger
*Maps
*Sleeping bag and mat
*Water Bottles

It is the generosity of individuals like Guy who will make it possible for me to live my dream and make history as being the first woman to cycle around the entire African continent!

From the bottom of my heart: Thank you very much!!!

Facebook Group