At the start of an enduro, when you're waiting for the flag signalling GO!, you'll generally have your bike in neutral (since then you don't need to hold the clutch). The classes in front of you will fire up their engines and roar away one by one. Anticipation builds, adrenaline starts to flow.

When the class immediately in front of you go off, you know you're next. You are really starting to buzz a bit now. You will lift your left foot and place it on the peg. That motion - putting your left foot on the peg so you can work the gearshift, means an awful lot to a biker. You're ready now, just about to take off like a bat out of hell.

Riding up to work this morning was fantastic - best ride I've had in a while. I could do no wrong, and the bike was absolutely solid. My usual jaunt on Salisbury Plain was particularly enjoyable - it's the last time I'll be doing it on my way to work.

Starting to get really geared up for Morocco now - I can almost taste it. I have my left foot on the peg.

We're off to a place called Ouarzazate (pronounced "War-za-zat") in the South-West of Morocco. It began its life as a crossing point in the Atlas Mountains where African traders would travel en route to Europe. Under French rule, it became a garrison town and it grew considerably.

Bizarrely, it also houses one of the largest film studios in the world - Atlas studios. Some of the films to come out of there include Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven and Alexander. I might have some more to say about Alexander in the future - I kind of quite like the guy.

Lawrence of Arabia. Hmm. Rode a motorcycle. Had a bit of a thing about writing stuff. Took on the might of the Ottoman Empire through having lots of respect amongst the grass roots normal folk. I can identify with a lot of that.

Here's some of the stuff we'll be riding in.

Right there is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. Tell you what though, I'd rather be doing it on a bike than getting my bones rattled to bits in a 4x4. I better remind The Missus to pack a cushion or two.

Did a few beers tonight, with the guys from my team. Nice to say goodbye to them properly. Hopefully, if things work out as we hope, I'll work with them again.

The Wee Yin, who doesn't have anything resembling quiet on her volume controls, is so excited about Hallowe'en and getting all dressed up and stuff. We're even going to make some little cardboard fangs to put on the dog and turn her into some kind of crap werewolf or something. Poor dog. She doesn't mind being crap.

I'm actually quite emotional abouty leaving today - more emotional than I thought I'd be. As my ITM says, onwards and upwards.

I also got an email from somebody who thought that the following may well help my ageing friend to understand my context when I use particular language:

If you're at work, please turn the volume down.

Nature hates a vacuum.

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