The Countdown Begins……. One Year to Go!

It's exactly 1 year to the day before I will be setting off on this epic journey all over the globe. I thought I'd mark the occassion with a wee forward recce down to Dover and take a snapshot.

Well if the truth be told, I'd just watched Scotland's performance against the auld enemy at this year Rugby World Cup. To say I was gutted is an understatement! We played by far the better game of rugby, full of passion, committment and courage. But as usual we got pipped at the last post by a decidedly second rate England team. That said, when they needed to, England stepped up a gear and proved they were more than capable of scoring, winning the game in the last few minutes.

But this isn't a rugby blog, back to biking. After watching the game I needed to vent some frustration and anger, and as my new chariot has only just been run in, I thought it was about time we got acquainted – proper like!

I left my mate Chutneys' place in Hove and headed East along the coast, enjoying the twisties of the South coast as I soared towards Rye. Passing the cafe and car park I kept going aiming for the brilliant run that is Camber Sands. Unfortunately, the great weather also brings out the Sunday drivers and the queue of cars and camper vans waiting to turn onto the road was a clear sign that today was not the day to hit Camber. I kept on going along the A259 and headed towards Fokestone. Then I had a bit of a Forest Gump moment and thought why not keep going to Dover? So I did, and above is the pic to prove it.

In 365 days I'll be back to Dover, but this time I won't be coming back, well not for at least another 12-16 months! I've got to say the impulse to just get a ticket, board a ferry and go was huge. If I'd had my passport I probably would have? I love the feeling of turning up at Dover or Folkestone right at the start of an adventure. Even if it's just a quick long weekend to France, that feeling is always the same for me. FREEDOM!!!!!!!

But alas, I had to be back tonight for a night duty so it was back on the bike, point her Northwards, twist the wrist and off we go. Avoiding any stretch of motorway I could, both the bike and I ate up the tarmac gulping in everything it could throw at us. I was beaming from ear to ear, my new baby and I had bonded 😉

So with 1 year to go, what will it bring?

Our first press release goes live next week, targetting Aberdeen, Glasgow, Bromley and London areas. We're also aiming at the nationals but as there is still a year to go who know's if they'll pick it up. If you don't see anything about TeapotOne in your paper this week, please do me a favour and contact your local rag. Tell them about the project, give them the website, point them in my direction and I'll do the rest 😉

The battle for Corporate backing is ongoing as always. We've got about half a dozen who are currently at board level awaiting their decisions, and have about another half a dozen now onboard. A huge thank you to Vango, SDC Reprographics, Simon Clare Creative Workshop, Hear Wave Technology Ltd, Hill4Leather and David Rathband for getting behind the project at such an early stage. Your support has been incredible and the team and I really do appreciate it so much.

We're starting on our events list for 2012 now and already have a few confirmed. One of the earliest will be the adventure day at the ACE cafe in February. come along and say hi! I'm out on the bike all year round no matter what the weather so if you see me about just come over and say hi!

Our social media sites are growning daily now, but if you haven't yet 'liked' our facebook page or 'followed' @teapotone on twitter, then what are you waiting for?

We've also got a YouTube site where all our vids live (naturally) and we're now on LionkedIn for all you grown up business types.

There is no excuse, there is no escape. Jump onboard, you know you want to.

Live it, love it.

B