Step 1: Preparations

STEP 1: PREPERATIONS

We booked our flight with AirAsia, return from Perth, cost us around $500 – and this included taking my own bike, I decided to do this because A. It was only $50 extra on the flight and B. I would be more comfortable on the trip with my own bike.

After some very good advice from a childhood neighbor, Hugh, who completed an epic world cycle from London to Rio in 2014 to raise money for UK based charity TackleAfrica, I started to get my arse into gear and prepare myself, starting with knowing how to fix my bike. I booked it into a service with some local legends from South Beach Cycles, they took me through a full service and equipped me with some info I might need on my trip (tuning the gears, fixing spokes, etc), needless to say my shitty memory discarded all of the information as soon as I left the shop, so I am now googling ‘step by step guide to tuning bicycle gears’ and downloading the info into a printable document which I can take with me (and probably forget I have when the moment arrives).

So next thing on the preparations list was – Watch loads of videos and read loads of blogs.

I found a couple of ok blogs on the area we want to cycle, the most helpful was A cruising couple , these guys did Hanoi to HCMC, which took them 6 weeks. We are only doingNha Trang to Hue, the route they chose is not the route I want to go on but alot of the information in their blog is relevant and helpful.

90% of the videos on cycling Vietnam are shit, boring and not that informative or exciting. I will be recording our journey, so I will try and not make the same shitty videos.

I’m going to leave it at that and get back to you once i have all of the stuff ordered off Ebay (panniers etc)!

This is the route we will be taking:

Cycling Vietnam: Step 1: Preparation

Danny  and I will be cycling the coast of Vietnam in May from Siagon to Hanoi, I only have three weeks so there will be a little train travel but the distance covered on my bike should be over 800km

Once in Hanoi I will cycle to Ha Long Bay and back which will finish the trip.

Help me raise funds for beyondblue - a supportive organisation for anyone affected by anxiety or depression. I want to support beyondblue because I want people who may think they are depressed or suffering from anxiety that there is a place to go for help or advice.

This bike ride and fund raising will be in memory of my Brother, Jake Walton who left us in June 2012.

We booked our flight with AirAsia, return from Perth, cost us around $500 - and this included taking my own bike, I decided to do this because A. It was only $50 extra on the flight and B. I would be more comfortable on the trip with my own bike.

After some very good advice from a childhood neighbor, Hugh, who completed an epic world cycle from London to Rio in 2014 to raise money for UK based charity TackleAfrica, I started to get my arse into gear and prepare myself, starting with knowing how to fix my bike. I booked it into a service with some local legends from South Beach Cycles, they took me through a full service and equipped me with some info I might need on my trip (tuning the gears, fixing spokes, etc), needless to say my shitty memory discarded all of the information as soon as I left the shop, so I am now googling 'step by step guide to tuning bicycle gears' and downloading the info into a printable document which I can take with me (and probably forget I have when the moment arrives).

So next thing on the preparations list was - Watch loads of videos and read loads of blogs.

I found a couple of ok blogs on the area we want to cycle, the most helpful was A cruising couple , these guys did Hanoi to HCMC, which took them 6 weeks. We are only doing Nha Trang to Hue, the route they chose is not the route I want to go on but alot of the information in their blog is relevant and helpful.

90% of the videos on cycling Vietnam are shit, boring and not that informative or exciting. I will be recording our journey, so I will try and not make the same shitty videos.

I'm going to leave it at that and get back to you once I have all of the stuff ordered off Ebay (panniers etc)!

This is the route we will be taking:

Getting down and doogy

If your into your bush camping, music and general good times - then why weren't you at Camp Doogs? 

A weekend that lacked the typical festival dickhead and let you be as free as a bird amongst a flock of other awesome feathered friends, this was a flipping joy to be a part of - the whole weekend (hmmmm except the bus journey) was tip top!

WE LOVE: HEALTH FOOD PACKAGING

JAMMY YUMMY

These jams will have your guests and children beaming with joy. These fun and unusual flavours will have you reaching for something you wouldn't normally eat. We are intrigued Jammy Yummy!

OATLY

I love the way Oatly have redesigned the classic milk carton shape to make it look new, interesting and user friendly. Check out their other products, the colour scheme and eye catching and *thank god* different to many colour that may be associated to health foods. 

SWEET VIRTUES

Based in the UK this super food small business produces some delightfully healthy treats that come in the cutest boxes for you to keep forever. It's a Sweet Virtue.

BEES KNEES SPICY HONEY

I love this whole concept. Putting two things together that you wouldn't normally think of and packaging it in a simply beautiful and transparent way that you can't help but be intrigued. Well done Mixed Made.

THE PURE PRESS

Based in Perth, Western Australia, these guys only make Almond Milk. But not just any old Almond Milk, only the freshest, most delicious almond milk going. Made with 18% of cold pressed, activated almonds this really is a beautiful product inside and out.

The Magic of Bee Pollen

Bee Pollen is one of natures complete nourishing superfoods. Let's take a look at what's so good about it:

1. It is packed with protein in amino acid form, so it is easily digestible and won’t putrefy in your intestines
2. It contains all essential amino acids, about 20-25% complete protein 
3. Bee pollen has a varied and high mineral content, Including calcium, potassium, chlorine, magnesium, copper, manganese, iron, zinc, as well as trace minerals such as iodine, silicon, boron, and sulfur
4. It contains about 5,000 enzymes, co-enzymes, carbohydrates and essential fatty acids 
5. High in Vitamins A, E C, K, and almost all B’s including vitamin B12 (one of the few vegan sources of B12) and folic acid. 
6. Contains flavonoids that have significant antioxidant properties such as Luteolin, an agent in the prevention of inflammation, a promoter of carbohydrate metabolism, and an immune system modulator.

So what this means for our bodies:

The Minerals in bee pollen are needed for the intra and extracellular communication that emanates from DNA and for its repair. Health and disease can both be traced back to either an adequate amount or a lack of minerals. Enzymes are necessary in the body for digestive and immune functions and the ones present in pollen are especially important for a balanced chemical metabolism – which makes it a great food for weight management. Consuming bee pollen has been known rejuvenate, stimulate organs and glands, rebuild the body after illnesses and improve physical performance.

One of the best things about bee pollen is that is detoxifies the body by flushing out artery-clogging biochemical deposits, not only does it correctly detoxify the body but it also protects the skin against dehydration and stimulates its growth, great for the Australian climate! Bee pollen encourages metabolism and curbs the appetite due to its Phenylalanine content, one of the essential amino acids and also a powerful antioxidant.

Bee pollen should be introduced to your diet slowly. If you are unsure, speak to your doctor about adding it to your diet. For an easy way to introduce this the Love SuperBlend is a tasty way of adding it to smoothies, cereals and fruit.

Bee Pollen fans include Victoria Beckham, Nicole Kidman and Kimberly Snyder