Stanfords is the UK's leading map shop and have supplied maps for many travellers and adventurers over the years. These include; Amy Johnson, David Livingstone, Scott of the Antarctic, Ernest Shackleton, Florence Nightingale, Ranulph Fiennes, Bill Bryson, Michael Palin, and even Sherlock Holmes.

Oh, and Peter Hubbard!!! Read their article about my trip.

If you've just driven somewhere, your tired, its pissing down with rain, and all you can think about is sleeping, then one option is just to recline the seat and nod off.

Which cars are best?
If you have some kind of van, people carrier or estate where the seats can be removed to give enough room to roll out a sleeping bag, then happy days! Otherwise it will be an uncomfortable night and you'd be far better off, if you've got it, going out and putting the tent up.

Isn't it illegal?
Parking overnight underneath a "No Overnight Parking" sign might not be the best idea. But it could provide an interesting dilema for the boys in blue. You're too tired to drive so you decided to have a nap. What are they going to do? Force you to drive in an unfit state?

Any tips?
Leave the window open a bit for ventilation and try to get as far as possible away from a main road. Lorries can come through early. If you are tired of paying rent you could even live in your car (or van) more long term! Most motorway services have free showers.

Other posts in my CHEAP SLEEP series so far include:-
Bothy ~ Scottish shelters that welcome weary walkers.
Tent ~ The ultimate tool for sleeping free.

And still to come:
Airports, Beach, Hammock, Bivvy Bag, Couch-surfing, Cave, Igloo, Train, etc

Coille Coire Chuilc is a great bit of woodland filled with gnarly pines, part of the ancient Caledonina Forest. Its also very muddy. If you get through all the bogs with both boots still attached to your feet you'll end up on the grassy slopes of Beinn Dubhchraig. From the summit there were great views of the Crainlarich Hills (I was climbing last weekend). As I walked round to, the bit taller, Ben Oss, there is a fantastic view of the most stunning mountain in the area, Ben Lui (or if you are a gallic fan Ben Laoigh).

Here is a list of favourite websites and books that have proved useful and inspiring when planning my trip.

Websites
www.transamazon.de/links ~ A good selection of links to tours in South America.
www.irisentoreopreis.nl/ ~ A great website full of interesting details like the 'Off the map' and 'Recipes' sections.
www.southamericacycle.co.uk/ ~ Gary and Dave write a very readable journal and their Baywatch-style video is excellent.
www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/cyclingtheamericas/ ~ A slick BBC site for the record-breaking cycle tourist Mark Beaumont.
http://www.tour.tk/ ~ Another good website. I like the records of the books they've read, and the "tip of the month" and recommended links and country info.
www.josiedew.co.uk/ ~ A smashing cycling author (her first book 'Wind in my Wheels' is fantastic) and now a mum! Read how she manages to cart her toddler, Molly, about on her Roughstuff. . .
www.alastairhumphreys.com/ ~ An encouraging and motivational blog. Al cycled around the world for 4 years and wrote 3 great books about his experiences. He is writing another book about a hike across India and planning some pretty full on expeditions (Antarctica. Enough said). www.downtheroad.org/ ~ Tim and Cindie Travis are on an aparently never ending round the world tour. Their site contains vast amounts of useful infomation.
http://www.hobobiker.com/ ~ Randy and Nancy cycled from Canada to Chile. They have a very readable and inspirational website.
www.thehungrycyclist.com/ ~ Tom Kevill-Davies has a mission to his cycle tours: eat. He seeks out local recipes and will happily eat everything from bulls testicles to barbecued guinea pig.
bicycletouringpro.com/blog/ - Darren Alff is a prolific cycle tourist and blogger. There is some good information, ideas and debates on his site. The site has a professionalism its name suggests and he often takes an original slant on things. The audio interviews are particularly good.
www.mark-ju.net/ Terrific website with many quirky details.
www.bio-nica.info/Biblioteca/Vickers1999BicycleExpedition.PDF ~ A well written technical guide to organising bike expeditions.
petergostelow.com/?page_id=331 ~ After cycling back from Japan, and writing an wonderful journal with sensational photographs along the way, Peter Gostelow is now on his way across Africa (his new website is www.thebigafricacycle.com/). The old website has a comprehensive links page.
www.listentoafrica.com/ ~ They've got the right idea.
www.copenhagencyclechic.com/ ~ Beautiful Scandinavians riding bicycles.
www.crazyguyonabike.com/ ~ A database of journals, forums, and articles - great content, great photos, very basic style (so works well on computers worldwide). I try to look at journals for specific locales and pick ones with the appropriate number of days to your tour (i.e. I looked for tours longer that 6 months or 180days).
www.adventure-cycling-guide.co.uk/ ~ An excellent overview and encouragement. Prices on bikes getting a bit out of date.
cyclechat.co.uk/forums/ ~ A friendly forum, use the Touring and Expedition section.
www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/index.jspa - Helpful travel forum, use the On Yer Bike section.

Books
Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Richard and Nicholas Crane ~ Eccentric cousins race to the pole of inaccessibility. Across the Himalayas on racing bikes.
Full Tilt by Delvra Murphy ~ In the early sixties, Irish lady Delvra and her bike Roz set off to India via, Persia, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and meet colourful characters on the way.
Wind in my Wheels by Josie Dew ~ Cycling tales written with fun and enthusiasm.
Moods of Future Joy and Thunder and Sunshine by Alastair Humphreys ~ Al's 4 year round the world bike trip makes for a good read.
The Hungry Cyclist by Tom Kevill-Davies ~ A witty and two and a half year ride from NY to Rio seeking out local recipes. His book is funny, self deprecating and highly enjoyable.
Adventure Cycle-Touring Handbook by Stephen Lord ~ Packed full of useful information.
Latin America by Bike by Walter Sienko ~ A good reference book, but probably a bit out of date.

http://www.atmagazine.co.uk/ - The Adventure Travel magazine is terrific. They have also been kind enough to publish a few articles I have written.

Sponsors
Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative ~ Sponsored me with a pair of rear panniers and some waterproof over trousers.
Crosso ~ Sponsored me with front panniers and a dry bag.
Stanfords ~ Sponsored me with maps.

Miscellaneous Googlables (or wikipediables)
Roberts Cycles ~ made my bike
Trangia ~ made my stove
Marmott ~made my jacket
travelwiki.org
Coffee Break Spanish podcasts and Showtime Spanish podcasts
Michael Thomas
studyspanish.com
123teachme.com
translate.google.com

People I have met along the way

Dave Liddel USA
ridesouth.net

Cristian Bomio Switzerland
globomio.crazyguyonabike.com

Raphael and Bettina Switzerland
http://www.gegenwind.ch.vu/

Pieter Belgium
msgric.wordpress.com

Holli Germany
toursuedamerika.blogspot.com

Lot and Koen Belgium
lotenkoen.reishee.nl

Monika and Thorsten Germany
thorstenbroenner.de

Julie and Arnaud France
sevaderailleurs.free.fr

Dot Germany
d-tours2.blogspot.com

Sarah German? (can't remember I was pissed)
sarah-goes-latinamerica.blogspot.com

Seth and Kirsten
thespokenroad.blogspot.com

Some awesome Ecuadorian guys
http://yakunan.com/blog/

One of the enjoyable things about hill running is that each race has a distinct character of its own. This one has a bit of everything: steep ascents, muddy tracks through forest, heather bashing, views across Fife and the Forth, and probably the steepest and narrowest descent of any race. So much so that the best way down is on your posterior. As seen in this youtube clip from 2007.



Despite being a windy day, I caught the sun on my shoulders, but the red marks on the backs of my thighs are from grass burns.