Those crimson stripes on the side of my trike are velcro straps with which I've secured a folding chair. It will be useful during the long day ahead. Many years ago, I was on a field exercise with the British Army in Germany. My British counterpart ushered me into a country gasthof that the Brit's had turned into an officers' mess for the duration. Tablecloths, china, ice... When I said that an American unit would probably be eating C-rations during the exercise, he smiled pityingly and murmured, "Well, any damn fool can be uncomfortable." Point taken, so I have my folding chair today, and my sunscreen, and some water and a hat in the cooler that occupies my rear seat.

My trike is something like a bush plane in that you can lash stuff to it - tent, sleeping bag, what have you. Tucked inside one of the wings is my large flat information poster that you'll see later.