Roughly one week to go before we catch the flight to Gibraltar to pick the bikes up from Algeciras and begin Journey to the Edge of the Sahara. We're then staying at the Hotel Reina Christina before hopping on the ferry to Morocco the next morning and then on to Volubilis with an expected distance traveled of 265km on the first day of our two week trip.

The bike was taken up to the shipping depot last week by a friend (thanks so much D) so I have very little to do in terms of preparation for the trip. A few Touratech parts (new foot stand, GPS lock and foot peddle) arrived after the bike was dropped off, so I will pack them and fit on arrival. I was unable to get hold of the Scorpion Syncs (closest to off-road tires I could find for a 180 rim) that I want to use for South America. I was hoping to try them out on this shorter trip. I'm also hoping to spend some time this weekend going over the road book and map so I have a better understanding of the route before hitting the road.

At this stage the excitement has not yet fully developed. I work within the partnerships team at Google in London and I am currently trying to make a sideways move between roles. This change, together with a recent trip to California and our annual performance review process, means things are a little hectic and work is monopolising my time. At the moment I am concentrating on a final few pieces of work that I can finish off, handing over projects that need to continue in my absence and generally clearing my desk. As I finish up these last few tasks I am sure the anticipation will build.

The only part of Morocco I have visited previously is Marrakesh. I am told Marrakesh is not really typical of the country and I am looking forward to seeing a new part of the world, while being slightly apprehensive of what I will find and have to deal with in a new environment - long bike trips are rarely problem free. As with any activity that involves crossing mountain ranges I have some anxiety over how I will deal with the heights, but on the whole I can't wait to get there.

Last year I bought a brand new KTM 990 SM-T. The picture is a promo shot of an SM-T from KTM. Previously I was a proud, but not entirely satisfied owner of a red Triumph Daytona 675. The SM-T gave me an almost equally sporty bike, but in a much more accessible package. I've since taken the SM-T round the alps, round the Nurburgring, on an aborted tour of Scotland and on lots of smaller trips.

I spent this weekend camping with Nick Sanders and I have signed up to accompany him to the Edge of the Sahara later this year and on the 2011 Pan-America Expedition from Ushuala on the southern tip of South America to New York via Alaska.