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Sunday, 24 July 2011

And we're off...

After months of planning and weeks of scheming it is finally the day of reckoning. Actually that's tomorrow, but the day before the day of reckoning doesn't scan well.

My bike and gear is stowed in the van with Brian and Warren, and I am tucked into my dinky seat on the train to Penzance.

I am nervous and more excited than I've been since Christmas in 1983 when I was getting a Bmx. That was bike related too.

Watching Brian meticulously packing the van like a slow but giant game of tetris cheered me enormously. We all have different skills and abilities . Some of us know them already, and some of us are going to find out along the way.

Here's to each and every member of BOB. I am so pleased that you are all coming and I can't think of a nicer bunch of people to do this with.

Saturday, 23 July 2011

Bags are packed, ready to go

Yes, that pile in the middle of the living room floor is my luggage. Earlier today I dropped my bike and instruments off at Brian's and then proceeded to fill my bag with all the bits I forgot to take there! I will look a bit silly walking around Paddington station with a bike lock, helmet, water bottles and cancer research buckets strapped to my rucksack, but at least people will be able to spot a busker on bike on his way to Land's End.

Thursday, 21 July 2011

Twitter/Facebook song of the day...

Head over to to our facebook page or @buskersonbikes on twitter for our song of the day. We will be posting a song that we will be playing on our epic journey each and every day we can (probably until Sophie takes over the the driving!)

From the archive...





So, with a matter of days to go, I thought I'd purge my phone of a few photos that have been waiting to see the light of day for a little while now (and one more very recent one, taken at what the NME is calling 'the debut of the decade' - our gig on Monday night at the Abbey Tavern).

As you can see, unbeknownst to the group, I've actually opened up a BoB retail outlet just behind Carnaby Street. Now that all the papers have been signed, and the rights to our name and the profits to all our activities passed over to me, I feel I can go public. In fact, there's very little anyone else in the group can do about it. But I am looking for a few people to work in the shop on a Saturday morning (at a very competitive, minimum-wage rate) to flog the various BoB-branded goods, including tea cosies, tea towels (with my face on them), flip-flops and sticks of rock.

Also, a picture of Dom strumming his heart out at Brian's (we seem to be a little short of pictures of Dom strumming his heart out at rehearsals) and a group ride pic taken somewhere in Hertfordshire.

In other news, my bike is now officially pimped up - puncture-resistant tyres, shiny new clip-in pedals (or whatever they're called) and a full service that has left the beast purring like a kitten. I don't think I've quite yet come to terms with the fact that this - after all the thinking, rehearsing, riding and planning - is actually about to happen. Crikey.

Wednesday, 20 July 2011

Bob flyers are here!

Today I moved house (as ever my timing is impeccable) and in with my girlfriend Sophie. Yay!

To add to what was an already exciting day I had a couple of Bob related surprises.

The flyers had arrived! very splendid they look too.

(my rain poncho arrived too!)

Tuesday, 19 July 2011

BOB Abbey Tavern Videos!!

Ben recorded the following videos at the Abbey Tavern to give you a little taster of the delights coming your way soon!!

The first is a short excerpt from "Mean son of a gun"


The second clip is from "Don't carry it all"


Thanks Ben!!

The first ever BOB gig

Well we just played our first gig. At the Abbey Tavern in Kentish Town. These photos are mostly taken during Simon's set as I had my hands full the rest of the time.
A massive thank you to all our friends and family who turned out it was good way to prepare for the 'Tour'
I managed to laugh into the melodica at one point (to be discouraged in future methinks.)
Bring on the road to Scotland.