Bike trip of a lifetime begins...

Preparing for the set-off date of 11th July was hectic but we made it to the ferry on time. Breakfast in Lille on day one was the end of civilisation as we know it - or rather as Jess knows it... the bike trip dream became bike trip reality and it was a bit of a shock. Long boring French motorways, rain, motorways, rain...

We made it just into the German border by the Monday, stayed in a plastic hotel in Saarsbrucken, then blasted across southern Germany to just inside Czech Republic at Pilzen. Then yesterday we got as far as Zilina in Slovakia where we found an amazing 4star guest house which proved to be our much appreciated introduction to Slovak life and value for money. Four star treatment for 20 pounds each and the Staropramen is less than a quid. The scenery is amazing and the roads are brilliant. The sun has been shining all day and the temperatures ranged between 17 degree C in the Tatry Mountains to 30 degrees on the road in the valleys.

We made it to Kosice to see my friend Dom who was living in Sheffield for 3 years and who just moved back home. The city is beautiful. Tomorrow is a day off from the bike. Then we head to Hungary on Saturday to see Andy and Samm in Balastya.

It is great to be on the road but it is going to be harder than we both imagined. But it will be worth it!

You can follow the progress of the trip on this map.

If you use Twitter- search for '2up2Kazakhstan'