'Knowing where you are going, is the first step to getting there'.
This could be one of Ajmal's sayings. You see he lives by a code of conduct, instilled in him during his time in the Pakistan military. Planning is everything!
He loves maps. Don't we all. Looking at them we feel a sense of excitement. The more basic the map, the more it forces our imagination. To try visualize the lie of the land. We love to fill in the blanks between the borderlines. Contour lines. But he would agree, as many of us do, that Google Earth with all its detail is a real treat for the armchair traveler.
But AS is no armchair traveler.
He's going to hand cycle this route over a 45 day period. A journey as we study his chosen route, looks like it could equal the distance of cycling around the United Kingdom. Repeat. In just over a month! That in anyone's book, is a feat. A feat for an able bodied cyclists with his legs for power. AS, uses his arms! Think about that. Many of those who know him, and work for him, reflect on his steely determination almost every day.
See the route. Specifically chosen to enhance his senses, test his endurance levels and entertain his followers with photographs of breathtaking locations.
Day 1 - From Luizė to Nīca
Day 2 - From Nīca to Aizpute
Day 3 - From Aizpute to Sabile
Day 4 - From Sabile to Vaivari
Day 5 - From Vaivari to Veselība
Day 6 - From Veselība to Ainaži
Day 7 - From Ainaži to Tori
Day 8 - From Tori to Alu
Day 9 - From Alu to Suomenlinna
Day 10 - From Suomenlinna to Täkter
Day 11 - From Täkter to Tenala
Day 12 - From Tenala to Piikkiö
Day 13 - From Piikkiö to Vinkkilä
Day 14 - From Vinkkilä to Hankkila
Day 15 - From Hankkila to Ahlainen
Day 16 - From Ahlainen to Östra sidan
Day 17 - From Östra sidan to Molpe
Day 18 - From Molpe to Byviken
Day 19 - From Byviken to Brattfors
Day 20 - From Brattfors to Strömsön
Day 21 - From Strömsön to Herrskog
Day 22 - From Herrskog to Björknäset
Day 23 - From Björknäset to Kälarne
Day 24 - From Kälarne to Brunflo
Day 25 - From Brunflo to Tulleråsen
Day 26 - From Tulleråsen to Hotagen
Day 27 - From Hotagen to Sandvika
Day 28 - From Sandvika to Namsskogan
Day 29 - From Namsskogan to Holmvassdalen
Day 30 - From Holmvassdalen to Leirfjord
Day 31 - From Leirfjord to Tjøtta
Day 32 - From Tjøtta to Vik
Day 33 - From Vik to Kolvereid
Day 34 - From Kolvereid to Namsos
Day 35 - From Namsos to Osen
Day 36 - From Osen to Åfjord
Day 37 - From Åfjord to Vanvikan
Day 38 - From Vanvikan to Fannrem
Day 39 - From Fannrem to Liabøen
Day 40 - From Liabøen to Eide
Day 41 - From Eide to Molde
Day 42 - From Molde to Stranda
Day 43 - From Stranda to Geiranger
Day 44 - From Geiranger to Bjorli
Day 45 - From Bjorli to Lalm
Day 46 - From Lalm to Hundorp
Day 47 - From Hundorp to Vingnes
Day 48 - From Vingnes to Ottestad
Day 49 - From Ottestad to Hauerseter
Day 50 - From Hauerseter to Vika
In 10 days from today, the journey will begin. The excitement and anticipation is palpable. Those planning the travel logistics, his wife Carol and Mark are busy looking at the route and considering accommodation options. His PR teams in London are directing social media strategies. His official photographer is meticulously sorting through gear and working out an optimal camera ensemble.
And well his dog Mario might be wondering if he's getting left behind again. But he shouldn't worry too much. When Ajmal and Carol are busy traversing the wilds of Scandinavia, getting rained on and feeling the high north chills, Mario will be at home safe and warm, with the house to himself, a well stocked food larder and a tentative doggy sitter on stand by to cater to his every need.
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