First Post.

Well, it's nearly time. I'm sat at home for what should be the last time in three months contemplating which of my compilation of fine spirits I'm going to select as the slumber inducer of choice. (The cognac Alun gave for my birthday I think), Bags are packed, bike is dismantled and cosseted in bubblewrap. Passport, ESTA and boarding pass are in the rucksack and I'm ready to go.

Ahead of me are three months of adventure and opportunity. Hopefully I'll achieve my goal of cycling every mile of the 3000 plus, but I'm concious that investing too much emotional collateral into that specific goal could be an awful downer waiting to happen.

Before I even start the ride I have two weeks of "acclimatisation" that will involve San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, Death Valley, a flight to Las Vegas in our own private air-plane, San Diego, a night in Long Beach on the Queen Mary and a couple of days in L.A. Oh, and did I mention we've hired a drop-top muscle car for the two weeks to waft us between each destination in a rumble of clichéd Americana.

Well, that's the plan any way (I suppose I should say "anyways" now?).

With luck I'll have the means to blog, tweet and e-mail while I'm about it all so please keep in touch with comments, encouragement and pithy ripostes.

America, here I come!

Rhod.