Dijon, Champangnole, Genevé

Dijon was a truly fantastic experience; firstly my thanks must go to Rosa and Maja, as without their generosity and hospitality (and that of the many others I have encountered on my journey thus far) my trip would not be possible.
I spent the first day and a half resting in Dijon but shortly after was introduced, by Rosa, to Willy the owner of a local vegetarian Indian restaurant “Le Shanti” in the southern part of town. We arranged that I would come back and set up my couch-cycle in the bar the that evening, Willy also mentioned that I should speak with the massage therapist and pioneer Joel Saratovski. That night I made contact with Mr.Saratovski’s school and the following afternoon went in to demonstrate how the couch-cycle works.
The bike was well received in “Le Shanti” with about 6 -8 people enjoying a massage that evening. I was bought dinner and taken out for a second dinner by my hosts and some of their lovely friends, yes two dinners. At the end of the evening, much to my embarrassment, the girls managed to pay for dinner without me noticing. Friday morning came and time to say farewell to Rosa and Maja, they were truly amazing hosts and I was sad to have journey on.
The next morning, I shared breakfast with the charismatic Joel. We spoke about massage as a cultural phenomenon and he mentioned how he thought that if everyone gave and received massage regularly there would be no war and a great leave of social consciousness; to which I agreed.
After breakfast we made our way around the corner and through a door, I was unsure what to expect but as Joel opened it I was greeted by applause. A little knocked back by this response I began to set up the bike in front of the twenty or so massage students. The session began with me massaging Joel then him trying the couch-cycle for himself, he was reassuringly, playful with the couch trying different positions and appeared impressed by the way in which the couch performed. After this some the other teachers and students tried both being massaged on the couch and massaging with it themselves. The session concluded after a few jokes from Joel, one on the proximity of the front wheel to his nether regions when attempting to massage from the front of the bike, and requesting someone get him a stool in order for him to work on my shoulders and neck. I was then asked if I would like to receive a hand massage from both one of the students and one of the teachers, which I can say was excellent.
Early that afternoon I set off and began my 115km cycle, which I surprisingly managed to complete in 6 hours with a generous 45mins of breaks. I arrived in Champagnole, and feeling chuffed I bought some bears and made my way to the central park where I met 3 locals. After a few hours in the park I made my way down to the small village of Syam where I would be staying with Souad and her husband. A couple of glasses of wine and a hearty chicken pasta dinner later, I climbed in to bed for a well-earned sleep.
In the morning after saying goodbye I found myself with my biggest challenge yet, climbing up to Les Rosses. An ascent of 1,200m over 40 gruelling kilometres awaited me, after which I would descend 700 meters in an astonishing 30 minutes, as a result I arrived in Geneve by 4:30pm several hours before I thought I would. Geneve was great fun and I had a huge amount to do with my host Mickeal and his friends. My couch-surfing friend showed me the highlights of the city, from “Rouse”, a fantastic club on the riverfront, to showing me the best places to swim in the lake. He also showed me where in the main park I could do massage.
After giving me an amazing Moroccan feast Mickael recited an inspirational tarot reading which, after two truly extraordinary days, set me up to make my way back in to France, and back to the mountains.

London - Paris - Dijon

This is really the first moment I have had to sit down and truely contemplate my trip so far. I am now in Dijon after ten days of travelling, bar one rather energetic days rest in Paris. My trip began on Sunday the 14th of September. As I left my grandparents bungalow and my humble abode, the caravan that sits in there backyard the rain began to fall, this however, has been the most significant weather I have had so far (touch wood) . The first day was a relatively short journey and mostly down hill in to London to a bar in Brixton named the pow (prince of Wales). The second day went well save for a spoke breaking at the top of crystal palace hill, and a short excursions on to the lead of which shall remain nameless I travelled from London to a place just out side of Canterbury named Bridge where I met my dad who would be coming with me to Paris. Information up until Paris can be found in my other posts. In Paris I met a fellow traveller who had come by bike from Poland over 18 days named Pawel Koch who you can see with my first phone uploads album on facebook. I said farewell to my dad at the Eiffel tower too and found a nice hostel in the south of Paris there I met lots of nice people including Claudia who I exchange a massage with. She was from New York and was about to begin her training in massage and obviously had a lot of raw talent. I stayed at the hostel for two nights and on my full day of rest went to jardan des tuileries  as set up the couch cycle with a nice girl from the hostel who had  offered to assist me with my project for the morning. It was slow to begin with, and many people were looking but when asked if they would like a massage were reluctant and some also laughed prohaps nervously, this could be due to massage not normally being so exposed and out in the open. In the end we managed to get a couple of people on the chair however they were all tourists. After around 45 minutes to an hour we were shut down by the police who were very nice but explained that not everyone who said they were there for charity were telling the truth. I decided that it was time for a break and parted ways with Annie and got some lunch. After lunch I was talking to some guys in the hostel who wanted a massage and I found my self with lots more people coming through the door with there heavey bags in desperate need of one. I found the international community more accepting of this type of massage in Paris weather this was due to there more open minded state of mind or there large amounts of free time is uncertain. I had a great evening in Paris and arose felling a little wobbly on my legs. After a shower and some breakfast I was on my way to Sens 117kilometres south east of Paris. After 550meters climbed, over 6 hours on the bike and with a slightly worse for where bum I arrived in the picturesque city of Sens. I met Alban in front of the oldest gothic Cathedral in the world and we made our way to his appartment where we had a fabulous vegetarian meal with his friends and I massaged each of them for my supper. Desert was a homemade tiramisu the recipe for which was a family secret and had been made by one of there grand mothers. In the morning I departed for montbard which was again exactly 116kilometres but this time with 881metres climb. I stayed with Fanny who like Alban had offered me a place to stay through couchsurfing. This was a nice quiet evening and in the morning I woke refreshed ready for the day. At only 75 kilometres and leaving at 8:30am I thought I would be in Dijon by 12:30 with ease however with a strong head wind and with over 900 metres climbed in such a short distance I arrived at around 2:30 this was the most challenging day yet and I am glad for my couple of day rest here in Dijon before I begin the really tough stuff on Friday. Currently other Thanks some messages to people I have eaten and slept in Dijon. And given a small massage to one of my hosts Maja, Rosa's flat mate who I again met through the couchsurfing website. I will let you know how the next few days go soon.

Matt 😊

London - Paris - Dijon

This is really the first moment I have had to sit down and truely contemplate my trip so far. I am now in Dijon after ten days of travelling, bar one rather energetic days rest in Paris. My trip began on Sunday the 14th of September. As I left my grandparents bungalow and my humble abode, the caravan that sits in there backyard the rain began to fall, this however, has been the most significant weather I have had so far (touch wood) . The first day was a relatively short journey and mostly down hill in to London to a bar in Brixton named the pow (prince of Wales). The second day went well save for a spoke breaking at the top of crystal palace hill, and a short excursions on to the lead of which shall remain nameless I travelled from London to a place just out side of Canterbury named Bridge where I met my dad who would be coming with me to Paris. Information up until Paris can be found in my other posts. In Paris I met a fellow traveller who had come by bike from Poland over 18 days named Pawel Koch who you can see with my first phone uploads album on facebook. I said farewell to my dad at the Eiffel tower too and found a nice hostel in the south of Paris there I met lots of nice people including Claudia who I exchange a massage with. She was from New York and was about to begin her training in massage and obviously had a lot of raw talent. I stayed at the hostel for two nights and on my full day of rest went to jardan des tuileries  as set up the couch cycle with a nice girl from the hostel who had  offered to assist me with my project for the morning. It was slow to begin with, and many people were looking but when asked if they would like a massage were reluctant and some also laughed prohaps nervously, this could be due to massage not normally being so exposed and out in the open. In the end we managed to get a couple of people on the chair however they were all tourists. After around 45 minutes to an hour we were shut down by the police who were very nice but explained that not everyone who said they were there for charity were telling the truth. I decided that it was time for a break and parted ways with Annie and got some lunch. After lunch I was talking to some guys in the hostel who wanted a massage and I found my self with lots more people coming through the door with there heavey bags in desperate need of one. I found the international community more accepting of this type of massage in Paris weather this was due to there more open minded state of mind or there large amounts of free time is uncertain. I had a great evening in Paris and arose felling a little wobbly on my legs. After a shower and some breakfast I was on my way to Sens 117kilometres south east of Paris. After 550meters climbed, over 6 hours on the bike and with a slightly worse for where bum I arrived in the picturesque city of Sens. I met Alban in front of the oldest gothic Cathedral in the world and we made our way to his appartment where we had a fabulous vegetarian meal with his friends and I massaged each of them for my supper. Desert was a homemade tiramisu the recipe for which was a family secret and had been made by one of there grand mothers. In the morning I departed for montbard which was again exactly 116kilometres but this time with 881metres climb. I stayed with Fanny who like Alban had offered me a place to stay through couchsurfing. This was a nice quiet evening and in the morning I woke refreshed ready for the day. At only 75 kilometres and leaving at 8:30am I thought I would be in Dijon by 12:30 with ease however with a strong head wind and with over 900 metres climbed in such a short distance I arrived at around 2:30 this was the most challenging day yet and I am glad for my couple of day rest here in Dijon before I begin the really tough stuff on Friday. Currently other Thanks some messages to people I have eaten and slept in Dijon. And given a small massage to one of my hosts Maja, Rosa's flat mate who I again met through the couchsurfing website. I will let you know how the next few days go soon.

Matt 😊

Paris

After a refreshing break at the hostel aloha on rue Borromee in south Paris I am ready to set off to Sens 115 km wish me luck it is the first day of inclement weather. X

From Lillie to Paris

After a rather unfortunate breakdown at the end of the 3rd day, cycling on a cobbled street made my front rack spin around the front wheel so the morning of the four day was spent looking for a new rack. In Lillie. We then set off at around 1pm for our lovely accommodation in the centre of town with Olivier. We made our way from Normandy through to Picardy and arrived at chateaux Susanne. From the moment we arrived we were treated like royalty from Mark's exquisite food to Clive's exceptional hosting.

in the morning we walking in the beautiful gardens of the chateaux, swam in the Somme river and I massaged both Clive and Mark on the couch-cycle. We then continued on our journey a little later than planned (3pm) and arrived in Senlis at 8:50, after a rather difficult cycle in the dark for the last hour or so.... We stay at a companille just out side the town.

In the morning we had breakfast and set off to do the last 55 mile of the trip to Paris where dad would be leaving me. Dad decided to stop to get some wine and pushed on to the Eiffel tower, after wait in g under the tower a few hours and occupying my time by attempting to clean my gears with far less water than really needed, dad arrived. We said our fair wells as he headed for a hotel near the gare de... And I went to a hostel in the south of town.

Day 1 and 2 the journey begins

Wow what a huge couple of days ... After leaving my little caravan in the country with a fond farewell to my grandparents, aunties and some cousins, I made the 35 mile cycle down from Hertfordshire to Brixton. After a short shower which started only moments after I left the ride was sunny and plain sailing. On arriving at the Prince of Wales or POW for short ,for which my mum thought it stood for prisoner of war, I setup the couch cycle on the large open air terrace above the pub. After some tentative observers looked from a distance a large guy called Matt approached me and ask about my invention, had a seat and got a short massage. Matt, as well as many others during the night said what an amazing trip he thought it was , and also gave me a small contribution to the trip. later in the evening I massaged all the people who decided to come to the leaving do and a few of us went to Brixton village market for a quick bit to eat before I cycle up Brixton hill to my cousins house and my place to crash. After a rather interrupted sleep I started my 80 mile cycle (over 1000 meters of inclined) to Dover this was a big journey and started with a grueling climb up to Crystal palace, after which my back wheel broke a spoke. All in all it was a hard slog with with an especially steep climb in Rochester. I met up with my father Charlie in a place call bridge, just Canterbury which reminded me of the town brie in the Lord of the rings not least of which as I planed to meet a ... We made it on to a rather late ferry and  and I find myself writing this at 1:10am in a hotel on the out skirts of Calais. Night, Night.

Day 3

Today was a good day after a grueling cycle on Monday today was a nice flat ride. We stopped in a quaint little French village for lunch. Once we arrived at our destination, Lillie I used the couch-cycle for the first time, we were invited to a contemporary art exhibit by two locals both of which had received a massage on the couch. We made 25 euros within about an hour so I now know that the trip should make some money for charity.

Test blog from phone

This is a test for my blogging from my phone. The start of my trip is fast approaching and I will be leaving in just a few short days ... Monday the 15 of September. I just had my last PT session with the amazing Andy, 'thank you for all your hard work'.  Have to get a few bits done this afternoon... The couch-cycle just needs some stickers put on it and it will be ready for action. I hope I can see as many of you as possible on Sunday afternoon for a fair well drink.

Watch this space,

Matt

first week of the my cycling training

Just started my intense exercise regime of one PT session taken by Andy of Nuffield health and wellbeing St Albans a week and three 3 hour cycles. This is to prepare for my desired 100km a day on my trip. Had first PT session Tuesday and first ride Wednesday. My legs are crying but my brain is saying 'let's do this!'

The Trail updated

I have decided to condence the trip and skip both Sweden, Mongolia and the Americas. Above is the revised version, the plan is for the trip to take a year and now with this reviewed path this should be achievable.

August weekends

During the month of August I will be making my way around the parks of London with my couchcycle to give out massages to raise money for waterAid and Seeing Hands.

LOCATIONS AND DATES TO COME

Charitable donations

I have decided to do my trip in aid of these two charities:

WaterAid

Who work in 26 countries worldwide, transforming millions of lives every year with safe water, sanitation and hygiene projects.

and

Seeing Hands Nepal

Which is a UK Registered Charity, set up to provide training and employment opportunities in massage therapy for young blind people in Nepal.

All the money that raised will be split evenly between these two charities. It is my hope to raise in excess of £4,000. If you would like to donate please call or text me on 07587091391.

Thank you

Financial breakdown, Sponsorship and Crowd-sourcing

So I have manically started pulling out my beard hair, as I have been looking at some of the unavoidable costs of my trip. The aim is to do the trip using massage as an international currency; using it to get from A to B, find a place to stay and even, where possible, get some food in my stomach. There are, however, things that I will either need to gain via sponsorship deals or trade agreements or if absolutely necessary will have to BUY!!!

Here is a list of products/services that I will be trying at all costs try to stop turning into costs:

Potential sponsorship deals

• Cameras, Lenses and other photographic/filming equipment. (Cannon go pro)

• Bike (for conversion into the couchcycle), panniers, helmet and bike tools. (Evans cycles, cycle surgery)

Potential trade agreements

• Voyages: 

1. England to France (£20)
2. Italy to Greece  (E40)
3. Greece to Turkey
4. Turkey to Egypt
5. Iraq to India
6. India to Thailand
7. Cambodia to Hong Kong
8. Hong Kong to South Korea
9. South Korea to Japan
10. Japan to Hawaii

• Place to stay in descending order:

1. Couch-surfing
2. Local people
3. Camping
4. Hostels/ Hotels

It may be necessary on occasion to re-fuel and re-supply along the way, charge cameras batteries and clean properly. On occasion if there are not many couch-surfing prospects or safe havens along the way I will need to take a break from camping

• Food and Sundries Where possible I will aim to trade massage for food or massage for money which I can then buy food with along the way; this however may not always be possible. This also goes for any other purchase for example; parts for the bicycle, repairs on equipment, and replacement clothing... 

I feel that £50 a week should be more than adequate to supplement/support the trip for all other unforeseen and unbarterable expenses for both extra accommodation and food/equipment, however I will be doing my utmost to spend none of this money.

 £50 x 52 weeks=£2,600

The necessities 

The Kit List

1. 2x Poweradd Apollo Pro 23000 mAh Solar Panel Portable Battery + relevant wires £40
2. Light Weight Tent £70-100
3. Bike + equipment (aerodynamic trailer) [solar panel helmet] [fingers crossed sponsorship] Panniers 
4. Cameras + equipment [finger crossed sponsorship]
5. Emergency ration packs £30-£50
6. Clothing including: 2x cycling shorts, 2x shorts, 1x trousers warm, 1x waterproofs, 1x Thermal blanket Quick dry long trousers you can change into shorts, 2x Touch Trail T-shirts. £200
7. First Aid kit £25
8. Sleeping bag £70
9. Pillows for couchcycle and sleep £50
10. Mosquito net £20
11. Wash bag £20
12. Sun cream £10
13. Plastic or metal mug £5
14. Waterproof watch £25
15. Swiss knife £40
16. Freezer bags £5
17. Silica gel £8
18. Flask £15
19. Whined-up Torch £10
20. sovedis-aquatabs (??)

Current total for equipment: £693

Suggestions would be much, much, much appreciated...

Health

All relevant injections/immunizations for countries passed through. Arrange doctor appointment to go through the trip to get a list and prices.

Communication and Travel

1. Around the world coverage for phone (Internet)
2. Visa's for:

• Turkey £10
• Egypt £12
• Iraq (I am investigating)
• India £92.00
• Nepal 30 day visa £35
• China Chinese visa service centre 30 day visa £70
• Cambodia £15
• Thailand (tourist up to 30 days)
• Korea South (tourist up to 90 days)
• USA £15

Current Visa Total: £249 + (Iraq)

Insurance

Insure and go silver backpackers insurance 1 year with 10 million pounds health insurance: £404.00

• If you believe this project has potential
• If you have any advice or experience with crowd-sourcing
• If you know anyone or you yourself live in one of the countries listed and shown in my post 'The Trail First Draft' and would like to put me up for a night in exchange for a massage.
• If you are an experienced traveler
• If have connections to a cruse-line company who are always short staffed on their voyages from Kuwait to Mumbai (worth a shot)
• If you would like to support this project in anyway including financially

If you fit into any or all the above categories please send me a message or give me a call @

matthew@mlhmassage.co.uk

m.c.g.lacoste@gmail.com

07587091391

Couchsurfers

Calling all couch owners... Just made a couch surfer account! going to be insane trying to workout places to stay along a route not to mention trying to stick to a day I will arrive at a certain place! One thing is for sure though, that  it is so brilliant that this resource is available and will I'm sure create some security on my journey with the occasional warm bed and hot shower... thank you in advance couchsurfers!!!

www.couchsurfing.org/profile.html?id=5HTNC29VF

The Goal

Touch Trail is a project to show the healing power and potential of massage in modern society the goal is to travel across the planet using massage as an international currency and show its prevalence in ancient medicine and its growing status as a modern remedy. This I hope will help to quash any thoughts that massage is merely a luxury for the rich to enjoy and to increase the awareness in the wider community of the social benefits it yields for example human interaction, Improved motor function and body awareness, release of stress, improved circulation. All of these benefits can be found in both the giving as well as the receiving of massage.

The couchcycle

The main mode of transportation on the trip is hopefully going to be kind hearted sore backed individuals who owns a motorized something... However, the other travelling element will be the couchcycle. Part bicycle part massage table the couchcycle is being designed by my brother Henri Lacoste an achitecture student at Edinburgh University with an eye for design.

The Plan

1. The back wheel is removed and replaced with a  supporting structure a small board attached to the bike via two metal struts on either side.
2. The pedals will create a foot rest. 
3. A comfortable, supportive structure for the chest will attach between the handlebars and the seat. 

I want it to be versatile peace of kit which is:

1. Good for short distance travel.
2. Useable for back and neck massage where a private massage on a floor is not feasible.
3. Is compact enough to fit in a reasonably small space.

...So I have given him quite a challenge!

Good luck Hen 

Designs & Pictures to come...

The trail first draft

Delving deeper in to this topic, the history of massage, I have begun to realize the endlessness of my undertaking there appears to be a form of massage from almost every corner of the planet I have created this list as a starting point, it is by no means all encompassing but does include countries which saw great developments in the art of massage:

Sweden - France - Rome - Greece - Turkey - Egypt - Mesopotamia (Iraq) - India - Nepal  China - Mongolia - Thailand - Cambodia - Korea - Japan - Hawaii - Canada - North America (native American massage) - Peru and Brazil