The Greater San Fransisco Area

Continuing my quest to travel the world.

It has been my quest to cycle around the world for a very long time, although I have ticked off 16 countries to date, I still haven't achieved the ultimate goal of cycling the world. I cannot wait any longer for the conditions to be perfect, age is catching up with me, so it is now or never.

picture drawn by Jim my Step - Father on our trip across Australia

picture drawn by Jim my Step - Father on our trip across Australia
After our trip to Vietnam in 2012.

Sunday 7 October 2012

Replace and rebuild started.



I have searched accounts and visa statements to try and find record of my owning the stuff I am claiming for as being stolen. I pay for a lot of things by cash, so I don’t have receipts for those things. But I have managed to find a surprising amount of receipts even the one for my expensive camera. The bike was tricky, but the shop I bought it from, had record of me buying it and gave me a replacement quote including all the things I added for the trip like carriers and pannier bags.  So the rebuild has begun.

 
I have a frame and forks and wheels. And bit by bit I am ordering components as I can afford them. So far I have a Chain wheel and Crank set l, front and rear Derailleur’s. And I have ordered some replacement cycling sandals – ideal in hot climates and when my feet get sore and need a break without having to stop cycling for a complete break.  Next order will be pedals and chain and cables. Then a saddle with saddle bag complete with puncture outfit and high pressure pump. Then last of all is my handle bars with all that they entail. Niel even found a handle bar bag mount, so my bag is no longer useless. And before next winter I’ll need to replace my lighting set and reflective winter jacket.

My frame, forks and wheels. The start of my new ZUM bicycle.
 

Actually this last week has been very frustrating, as I have had the flu, and been out of action. I tried to go for a ride when I started to feel better – big mistake -I went back to square one and was as sick as a dog.  A week and a half later, I am a bit better and feel I could try to do another ride, but the weather has been crap. Snow and heavy rain, winter is reluctant to give up to summer too soon. I know it will get better eventually, just like my health; meanwhile my hard fought fitness is disappearing.  There is supposed to be a break in the weather in a couple of days, so Niel and I will be out trying to do a ride in excess of 100kms. And if all goes well, then another ride the next day before the weather is forecast to crap out again.

 
I applied to be a volunteer for the Nelson SPCA. It is a small thing I can do for animals, I am still distressed by what I saw in Vietnam, and am thinking about returning to try and help the strays in some way, I’d love to open an animal shelter, but I’m not made of money, and it really is in the too hard basket. Perhaps I can feed the strays, or something. I know that I can’t just forget about it.

 
In the meantime I have to work and save money to replace everything. If I get anything from the insurance then that would be great, but I don’t have a lot of faith in insurance companies paying up.