Ready to go...

We're packing bags, pumping tyres, tightening brakes, and of course, consuming carbs. Our trip starts tomorrow - and we're fit, confident, excited...but a little nervous at he same time...

So we'd like to say thanks to everyone for their support! We'll see you on the other side

keep checking here, because we'll be posting up photos and bits throughout the journey

We wish we could take the cats

But unfortunately, we can't. But Ronnie has come to the rescue once again! She's looking after them while we're away. Thanks Ronnie!

She's been having trouble donating online - have you?

It seems that some of you have been struggling to donate on the JustGiving website. We're not sure why their site's not working properly, but we think it might have something to do with heavy traffic on their site for the London Marathon.

Our advice:
- try to donate from a different computer
- wait until Monday 14th
- if none of the above works, send us a cheque to 39 Jebb Avenue, SW2 5XQ and we'll big you up here.

Could someone you know put us up for the night?

The cost of doing the trip is having a big impact on our bank balances so saving some money on accommodation would be a real boon! These guys have already offered to put dan up ;-) It would be great to stay with someone less scary though.

If you know anyone who lives in the following places we'd love to stay with them:
Dunkerque, Gent or Diest in Belgium
Aachen, Bonn, Kamp-Bomhofen, Frankfurt, Werthiem, Neustadt an der aisch, Velburg, Bogen or Obernzell in Germany
Linz, Willendorf or Vienna in Austria

Stuffing our faces

I'm not sure we're gonna come back as lean as we think. We'll have to be putting 3500 calories down our throats a day - to keep up with our hungry legs. & We're on a diet of carbs the week before we leave. Hopefully my bike won't cave under the weight

Clockin up the training miles

We clocked up 220 miles last week - all part of our strict training regime. We did a 60 mile ride to maidenhead (facinating trip along the A4 - you wouldn't believe the scenery), plus Andrea did an extra long 30 mile trip to work one morning. And I did my regular 12 miles to work and back, the only difference being that I was fully lycra-ed - a bit like this fine chap.

Navigating our route

This guy was also worried about getting lost in the wilds of South Germany. Fortunately, he was able to rig up a small GPS system to his bike in order to rid himself of the hassle of paper maps.

Seriously, does anyone have a GPS system they'd like to lend to us as a donation?

How to sponsor us

We have chosen to raise money for two charities: UNICEF and The Diving Diseases Research Centre (DDRC) in Plymouth. You can decide which charity you'd like to support.

Scroll down to click on the JustGiving button for either UNICEF or DDRC (on the right of the page). You'll be able to donate right away.

We are coving the costs of the trip - hostels, flights etc, so any donations will go straight to the charities.

If you'd like to make a corporate donation, email danandandreascharitycycle@googlemail.com