Preparing my trip of a lifetime - Cycling Cairo to Cape Town

The trip of a lifetime, 7500 miles cycling from Cairo to Cape Town is drawing near. My preparations and training have covered the summer months (Steve's injured knee has been a blessing in disguise). I am now what some might call a biker!! I enjoy downhill biking, have worked in a bike shop to learn bike maintainance and spend most weekends going camping, with my bike. Any advice; get a bike the cost of living is lowered dramatically not to mention the different routes, areas and people you meet.
Having been at home in Surrey for several months working for Accord Architecture in Guildford I have risen awareness about my fundraising expedition. 96.4 The Eagle Radio and BBC Berkshire have interviewed me about my 9 1/2 month cycle. Contacts have conveniently arisen giving me professional bike photos allowing me to get in touch with bike magazines to edit my story. I have had many sponsors so the equipment list is being tackled and ticked off by the day.
My fundraising auction in Ascot turned out to be a huge success. I have already raised £3500 which is half of the amount I wish to raise in total for Article 25.
I am off to cycle the UK (Bristol, Isle of Wight, Devon and Liverpool) this month. My Thorn Nomad Touring bike (with a rohloff hub - essential for Africa) is riding smoothly and I cannot wait to get used to life on the road.