Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Progress
@8:16 PM
Life is busy now. Ex Praxis, 2nd Year ICT and Workplan Seminar back to back in three consecutive weeks, and I have to conduct range at the end of October.
Progress has indeed slowed, but I have never lost sight of the end point. However, the troubles I face in the organisation of the Tour is such that few others can relate to: sponsorship, logistics, travel worries, and the ticking timebomb at the back of my mind that screams at me daily - "4 months left!! Hurry!!" - Well, I will gladly hurry but for the workload I face in camp. It feels like every time I show my face in the camp, work of all sorts get thrust towards me.
Sports Council has finally replied with long awaited advice, with the contacts that I so badly require, including a direct link to Canon's sponsorship department. However, it seems like funding from SSC will be troublesome at best: proposal writing rears its head again! I am also currently eyeballing SPH Pocket Money Fund for their endorsement as a charity, and the situation seems optimistic, though nothing is ever confirmed until they sign on the dotted line (if any).
And I have finally decided on my bike: Jamis Aurora, which should cost about $1450, but maybe more after the inevitable upgrades to the lacklustre parts. For example, stock parts give 700x32c tires, when I need a minimum of x35c for such a long journey. Front and back racks are not inclusive, and panniers are yet to be purchased, though I know which I will be getting: Orthlieb classics, probably costing a total of $600 for 2 front, 2 back and 1 handlebar bag.
My budgeting now is slightly screwed, and I definitely will not have sufficient unless I secure the elusive sponsorship, due to cost of air travel from Calcutta to Singapore ($450), Visas ($200+), Insurance ($850) and international-level debit cards. Oh, and satellite phone and tracking devices are other luxuries that I have not thought to find out the cost of as yet.
If things go well, I shall be doing a mini-tour into Malaysia in December, maybe for a couple of days just for a trial. Let's see how things go until then.
0 Comments |
Post/Read comment
