Final Countdown

Final Countdown
We find ourselves in Prague with just five days of riding left. We have spent our last week or so riding from Berlin south meeting up with the Elbe River, which runs from the Czech Republic to northwestern Germany. We had no intentions of going to the Czech but when Em informed us that with the amount of riding time and kilometers left we would have ample time to shoot over to Prague on the way to Munich, we thought why not. Riding along the Elbe, which is a famous and very popular bike route has had it's ups and downs. Downsides include what we have come to refer as "death cobble," which falls far out of the reaches of nice cobble (new age take on an old tradition, relatively smooth) and normal cobble ( small to medium rocks, smoothed from consist wear, bumpy but doable). Death cobble is large jagged not well designed, buried rocks placed in sketchy sections, at the bottom of a hill or a narrow drop of section. More intense than death cobble or long sections of pothole dirt roads scattered with mud puddles, due to recent t-storms are the stairs! That's right a popular famous bike trail has multiple sets of stairs one has to climb to continue on. Since it is a bicycle route many of the stairs have small ramps (a little bigger than thr width of a bicycle tire), the ramps do help but rampless stairs are a pain. Our last staircase was up over a small river via a massive pipeline system in the middle of no where. Up four flights of stairs, they weren't full but when carry a fully loaded touring bike up steep stairs it doesn't matter and down three we had made it to the other side. The alternative was 3km on a cobble dirt road to a ferry, we'll take the stairs.
But with all the epics of dirt roads and large obstacles riding along the Elbe was amazing. We knew nothing about it when we started and it's amazing bueaty, landscapes, nestled towns and grand cities blew our minds. We only road a three day section of it, and I want to believe it was the best section to ride. We started near Dresden in Germany and were ultimately blown away by it's grand buildings dating back hundreds of years. The Elbe is a twisting river with a large flat plain that buts up against steep cliffs and rolling hills. On the river side hills and cliffs we often spotted castles and mansions that put any Hampton summer home to shame. Another twist and turn we would find ourselves in a small town with perfect old houses. When we weren't battling un-paved maddness we were rolling along perfectly paved paths with bicycle tourers aplenty. What was most breath taking was the shear cliffs and magical rock formations scattered all along the rivers. There was a Jurrasic Park feel, mist rising from the green forrest surrounding colorful cliffs jutting hundreds of feet in the air.
After a stop off in Prague to take in one of the most grand cities in the world we are southern bound for our last bit of bicycle riding. How strange it will be to end. Even though we haven't left and living in the now is the way to ride we have started to think about the adventures of home. Dawn patrol ocean swims, Tate's coffee, clothes, more then one outfit, bagels fresh garden vegetables and much much more. But for now an open air train ride into Prague's main station.

Photos: a roller balding path; a castle on the Elbe; Lucy hits 4,000 miles; welcome to the Czech republic.

More Photos

A Word from the Parents

A week ago we left the girls in Waren, Germany to start the long trip home after a wonderful week of bicycling and camping in Denmark and Germany.  It all began in Copenhagen.  We arrived from New York lugging our bikes in large boxes to catch up with Emma, Gen and Lucy who had cycled in from Sweden.  Our hotel was centrally located.  By the time we arrived the girls had already found the local cycle shop for minor repairs etc. No time was wasted putting together the cycles and finding a place to eat dinner. Over a vegetarian smorgasbord (buffet) we decided to take the next day off in Copenhagen. The girls had been camping for a month solid and loved the idea of a little break. We agreed.  With our departure planned for Thursday, May 26^th, we discussed plans for a day of sight-seeing.  First on the agendaWednesday morning was Gen's desire to see the famous statue of the Little Mermaid. Hilary longed for traditional Danish open faced sandwiches (smørrebrød) and Emma requested a canal boat ride. Lucy was neutral and Eric looked for a hot dog.  Everyone agreed to go to Tivoli in the evening.  We found a ferry canal tour that allowed us to get on and off wherever we desired. Next to it was a pølser (hotdog) stand.  We took the boat to the Little Mermaid where the girls posed for photos with the mermaid herself.  Can you tell which the real Little Mermaid is?  We found a restaurant filled with real Danes (not tourists) for the open faced sandwich and afterward stopped at a bakery (not to forgo famous Danish pastries). Tivoli in the evening is wonderful. It is filled with little ponds and gardens all lit with tiny colorful lights. The rides and games add to a truly magical place. Hilary had her first ever roller coaster ride after which she retired from roller coaster riding and found a tea booth. The girls went on every scary ride they offered while Eric and Hilary watched them drop, twist and speed, mouths hanging open in wonder.  We all tried our skills at shooting balloons.  Gen was the winner of some great prizes (small enough to carry on the bike)

The next day found us packing up the gear, getting ready to roll out of town.  After a couple of quick runs to the corner bike shop as well as to the local grocer for picnic stuff, we were off.  Due to some bicycling repair glitches in the first shop, we stopped at another bike store a block from the hotel.  Gen found out there that they would have to keep her bike until 3:30 in the afternoon.  Thus began our day of waiting. We were to later find out that waiting for something is not unusual when bike touring. We picnicked on a grassy promenade near the bike store. Eventually, we found ourselves once again in the hotel lobby since it conveniently had a computer for our use. After a series of good strokes finding the cycle part she needed (the store didn't have) at another store across the city, we finally left Copenhagenat 5:30.

Here, I must describe briefly how it is to bike in Copenhagen.  Every major street has a bike lane and they are heavily trafficked. Bikes are respected. Motorists give way to the cycles by law.  Most do not wear helmets. All are dressed in their street or professional clothes. It is all exhilarating and so polite at the same time. So it was on these great paths that we departed wonderful Copenhagen winding our way into the suburbs all in a line behind Emma, the navigator.  The weather was rather sunny with strong winds, but began to turn grey.  By the time we got to the campground about eight miles out, it was beginning to blow and rain. Our first night of camping with the girls found us in a squall putting up the tents.  This damp, windy weather was to accompany our whole journey south.

Our ride on Zealand toward the ferry to Germany, we passed through quaint hamlets nestled among countless farm fields. The small thatched roof cottages painted red or gold and the cream colored manor houses were in beautiful repair. Cows and sheep kept us company, especially a very friendly herd of bulls on a road called "old times" road (Hilary's translation). This 3 mile stretch seemed a microcosm of the Danish countryside. With thatched cottages, the friendly cows, a hillside of sheep and a stately manor house, it was a beautiful mini trip through this storybook country.

Out of our three nights cycling south, we camped twice and stayed in a Dansk Hostel once.  Our days centered on breaking camp first thing in the morning, making an oatmeal breakfast in either the campground kitchen or on girls' gas stove and checking the day's route. Of course cycling was next on the schedule. Somewhere around mid-day, we found spots to picnic; then relax a bit.  They ranged from a little park to a grocery store parking lot. Other daily activities included finding a grocery store and/or tourist information center and hanging around while decisions were made about where we would camp next.  Luckily, we all were agreeable.

We finally got to Germany after a ride on an amazing, but typical, Danish ferry.  Complete with a restaurant, cafeteria, a snack bar and three stores, you would think we were to cruise for hours, but in 1 hour and 45 minutes we were back on dry land.  And luckily, it was dry land. The rain seemed to have been left behind.

We debarked in Rostock, Germany, a port town with a big main square where we found the tourist information center.  There we learned of the Copenhagen t o Berlin bike way.  Since the girls were headed to Berlin, Eric bought Emma the book of route maps of the way. Next stop in the city was the train station for more information, a public restroom and possibly a good map.  All three were found plus a farm stand next to the main entrance where a young woman sold fresh strawberries grown locally.  They were delicious!

Our next two days in Germany were a cyclists dream. The weather though still windy was sunny.  The bike way took us through forests, fields and small towns.  We found a wonderful campground in Schwan where we ate schnitzel accompanied by excellent beer at the camp restaurant. One friendly older gentleman engaged Gen in a lively discussion neither understood with his side being in German and Gen's in English. We played on the playground after dinner and retired early to our tents. Eric had ordered the campgrounds breakfast service. Emblematic of the German take out service, the roll with cheese, butter and jam was served on white porcelain complete with egg cup for the egg, which he returned to the office when finished. No throw away garbage, there.  And so civil!

Our last night found us at the lakeside resort of Waren where we booked a hotel near the town square.  This picturesque town was the ideal setting for a final evening and morning of some relaxation.  It actually felt like a movie set, it was so perfect with half timbered buildings in pristine condition and cobbled streets.

We enjoyed the comforts of a good shower with real bath towels.  The next morning we took some time to walk about for a few souvenirs. Then with a very tearful goodbye, we hopped on our bicycles to head to the train to Hamburg as the girls hopped on theirs to head to Berlin. At last report, they had left Berlin and were nearing Prague, another beautiful city.

Photos from Parents

Photos (top to bottom): our proposed album cover for our soon to be released single; the tallest man on record statue; all of us at the famous Copenhagen little Mermaid; our fist morning departure.

Lame Update

Sorry for this absolutely lane update. We have been busy. Denmark and Germany with our parents which was a blast. Reconecting in Berlin with an old friend and shopping! New ortlieb gear (back rack bags) and maps to get us to Prague and then Munich. Let the race begin.

Photos: Em and the mermaid of Copenhagen; royal Danish guards; we are up next, adventures at Tivoli, riding in Rostock, Germany; and a short cut blockade.

Summer Fun!!!!

As many as you may know we will soon be ending our tour (late June), the question arises what do bicycle tourers do when they are not touring? When Em, Gen, and I end our tour we will soon be off to spend a wonderful four week in Maui all working different jobs at the amazing summer camp Maui Surfer Girls. http://www.mauisurfergirls.com/ This camp is truely unique, it has changed my life and the life of many people. If you have any teen girls in your life who are looking for a fun summer adventure check out Maui Surfer Girls. Read about the exciting life of Dustin and the Maui Surfer Girls here http://mauisurfergirls.typepad.com/maui_surfer_girls/

Em will be working as a van driver, which means she will have to switch from bicycle navigation to mini van navigation, driving all over Maui with a van full of teen girls, precious cargo. Gen will be working in the kitchen helping surve up healthy and delicious meals for hungry surfer girls as well as acting as videographer for surf coaching and camp film. I (Lucy) will be returning as a surf instructor, and am so excited to get back to the warm waters of Maui spreading the stoke to all the eager students. I just hope our funny bike short and farmers tans will not be made fun of too much. Georgia gets to go on a month long sailing trip from Flordia heading north, helping deliver a sailboat with her sister and her sisters boyfriend. As you can imagine leaving the adventure behind is hard to do right away.

A Month and Some Change with out a Bed

Photos (top to bottom): we passed by Lego Land, Legos were invented in Denmark, if you didn't know. Em decided we could skip over this amusement and leave it as an amazing childhood memory. Em and I visited Denmark when we were young, Em was really into legos; this is just half of the trail mix reload Em and I made, buying bulk is the way to go, we think; our Danish shelter, a free campground; our camp spot on the beach in Sweden, it is legal to camp pretty much any where is Sweden (not private property), which is really awesome and helpful for sticking on budget; on the train that travels over the Øresund Bridge which connects Malmö, Sweden with Copenhagen, Denmark. The auto and train bridge is the longest in Europe 7,845meters. Part way across the bridge it becomes a tunnel which helps avoid conflict with shipping routes and Copenhagen Airport. Bikes are not allowed, yet, the bridge only opened in 2000.

We calculated yesterday that it has been a little over a month since we have slept in a bed. This is not the longest for all of us nor do we really mind. Our sleeping pads and sleeping bags are often more comfortable than beds. However here we are in Copenhagen meeting up with my parents to enjoy a week of cycling with them before we make our final push to southern Germany.

We left off arriving in Denamrk. As soon as we started biking the rain began and the temperature dropped, the wind never stopped. Having had enough of the wind, coming predominately from the north and west, we decided to go with it. With this decision arose a problem. If we were to bike with the wind we would make it to Copenhagen way before my parents were to arrive plus we wouldn't see much of Denamrk. We decided to continue heading north with a hint of east. Miles into our late start and rainy day we stopped for lunch in a sheltered glass bus stop. We enjoyed our lunch watching the rain clouds roll over. Wet and cold we muttered to ourselves. When we sat down and thought about it we realized we were tired. We had pushed hard into the wind for a week and hadn't really gotten much rest. Sleep is what we needed. The sun poked out for a bit and we road off to the nearest campground. Em passed out for 13 straight hours.

Well rested we began again the next day with the rain still taunting us. One second blue skies and sun minuets later down pour. Clouds raced across the sky, we hid in bus stops. After our first grocery stop we discovered that Denamrk was expensive. So after one budget bulk store stock up I went to throw away our trash I re-discovered dumpster diving. Danish dumpsters are delectable. For those who don't know or might find this horrifying dumpster diving really isn't that bad. For us it is actually better, ripe bananas rather than ones we have to carry around for a couple days and the best part it is free. With a new found energy of free food we were able to push on.

We continued across Denmark taking a couple days off at a campground with a TV and English channels a luxery that we haven't had way longer than a bed. Ems bike got a bit of fixing, a necessary hub tune up. We used Internet at the library and one day decided going to Sweden might be to expensive, ferries, trains, campgrounds and new money. But the next with a push from my mom we made the decision to go. We researched, I discovered free camping in Sweden really is free and legal. Gen searched the ferry prices they weren't that bad. All we could hope was the dumpster were just as plentiful.

We arrived in Sweden and began our slow southern journey. We took four days to bike about 60 miles. We enjoyed the short days and free camping. We were even able to get in a bit of antique shopping. The wind taunted us from the south so going slow was fine. The scariest however was the day before last we arrived in a wooded reserve seconds before a storm rolled in. We quickly set up our tents and got a tarp shelter built. We flew into our tents and within seconds the lightening began. We yelled to each other is it time for lightening position? I don't know ahh? What do you think? Yes let's do it. We met up in the tarp shelter and stayed squatting for a good half hour counting the seconds between light and boom. The count was averaging around four seconds but out of no where the sky lit up and flashes zoomed around the forest. Insanely the crack was heard. Holy cow bell! That hit inches from us. We shivered in fear. Who knows how close it really was but it was close enouh to keep us sitting there counting seconds between flash and crack. After a while they lengthened and the time became ten seconds and more. One by one we returned to our tents happy we made it through the storm.

Now hopefully we can find our parents.

the closest we've been all day...

I, Georgia, after some deliberation have decided to leave the group a few weeks early in order to join some friends back in San Francisco for the celebration of the commemoration of their college career. Having made this decision to return a month or so ago, it now appears as though the actual leaving will be much harder for me than I had suspected it would be. In the course of a week I had graduated from college, moved out of my beloved apartment in San Francisco, managed to say goodbye to all my dear friends, and somehow prepared myself for my first ever bicycle tour. Emotionally I was still living the glory days of my senior year at college and had a rather rude awakening when I learned that for the next few months I would be wearing the same smelly, sweaty clothes day after day and huffing and puffing up an endless set of hills on my bicycle loaded down with gear. With only two pairs of pants, three shirts, and a few pairs of underwear, my life had suddenly been compacted down to fit into two panniers and I'd never learn to miss a simple pair of jeans more. With absolutely no idea of what life would really be like on a bicycle tour, I set off with all my confidence in the hands of my three companions; longtime friends who I couldn't have trusted more with the task of teaching me how to leave the comfort of my down comforter, hair dryer, and city apartment, to live life in the saddle, in a tent, and at the whim of the wilderness. They even laughed and rolled their eyes when I told them that I had made room for a single tube of mascara and an eye pencil, neither of which I used more than 3 times in four months.

The first few weeks were difficult, to say the least. Aside from the miles we put in daily that left me exhausted and yearning for sleep every night, there was the pain of an emotional detachment I felt from the comfort of my fairly organized and routine life in a city I'd come to love with all my heart. But as the homesickness tore on, what I never guessed was that in a few months time it'd be this new routine at the end of the day that I'd come to love just as much. At the end of the day it's the smell of BO that festers in the one outfit I wear day after day and even lingers in my sleeping bag, the nights sleeping on hard ground in freezing temperatures, and the moldy dampness that follows you around after days of endless rain that are all part of a life I've come to love and appreciate. At the end of the day it's the endless laughing about the strange encounters that we've had along the way and the reminiscing about the miles past that I'll miss. It's the mooing sounds we make every time we pass a herd of cows (something I thought was silly until I found myself partaking in) or the baaing we do when we see a group of sheep. Its the time we spend sitting outside grocery stores while everyone stocks up on couscous and oatmeal. Its the seemingly endless hours of rocking on ferries between Grecian islands. Its the daily routine at the end of the day when we're setting up camp and we swap books, compare farmers tans and number of bug bites. It's Emma's navigating and route planning that never fail to safely get us to the next place, Gen's lifetime soundtrack of rap and reggae that describe the trials and tribulations we've endured (only available live upon special request), and Lucy's helpful tips that have taught me the right way to pack my tent or store my sleeping pad that I'll be lost without. 

At the end of the day I realize that I had no idea what was in store for me at the beginning of this trip because it has been so much more than a trip. It has been a journey; one which could not have been fathomable without Gen, Emma, and Lucy. They've taught me how to stop counting the miles and truly appreciate each moment for what it is without worrying about time or schedules or plans. They've taught me how to try a little harder to see the positive side of things and do what happens as it comes along. They've taught me how to experience places and cultures and people in a whole new way, on two wheels powered by my own two legs. 

After four months and 2,817 miles we have become a team. We have climbed to high peaks, endured torrential rains, slept on hard grounds, and crossed borders. We have taken falls, visited hospitals, eaten fresh croissants in France and fresh pastas in Italy, hiked in the hills of Spain, and seen midnight mass on Christmas Eve at the Vatican. We've ridden on dirt roads, along a canals, and on grassy roads that hardly exist. We've ridden on country roads and national roads. We have biked HERE, and there, and back again.

As my time on this trip comes to an end, I'm not ready to leave. I'm genuinely jealous of the road ahead for Gen, Emma, and Lucy. I cant wait to hear the stories and see the pictures of everything that comes next for them. But all I can do is wish them a safe journey and thank them a thousand times for sharing with me some of the most amazing experiences I'll ever have. I believe I've finally made it. I have laughed and cried my way into becoming a bike tourer and I couldn't be more proud to be one.

Germany: Das ist Zuiper

Photos (top to bottom): lots and lots of sheep; bikes make awesome shadows; along the a major shopping canal in Germany, means racing many barges, we often win; and a cold and windy North Sea.

That's right we zoomed through the rest of Holland, but not really since strong winds (not in our favor) still haunted us. We traveled good distances but the zooming feeling which makes riding a bicycle so much fun is taken out when the wind pushes you sideways all day. It is like an elephant is trying to sit on you all day. I'll stop complainig about the wind one day, I promise.

Off we went over the German border, the wind was still there but some little hills started to apear! Oh my. The landscape has been amazing with green fields and forests. We raced up through the northern section of Germany to get to Denmark! That's right we are all the way in Denmark. It is light until ten!

But first a bit about our German adventures. So far what we have seen and been through of Germany we love. We are excited to travel back through most of the country and end our journey in Southern Germany. Upon entering Northern Germany we knew there were many canals and waterways. We ended up taking a few ferries, similar to the Shelter Island ferry. You drive your car on you park, you drive off. Some were longer distances and other shorter. One ferry had the best hot dog I have even eaten, high hopes for German sausage, duh! On one night when we couldn't find our campground we ended up riding a small ferry back and fourth. The operator must of though we were a hoot.

Em ran into some brake problems, which slowed our progress a bit. Problems such as she now has no front brake and the back brake is pretty lame. Long story short her fear came true that the disc brake would break and we wouldn't be able to fix it. Luckily Gen was able to take the front brake caliper and move it to the back. If anyone doesnt understnsd the front-back switch, I am sure you can remeber as a kid slamming on the front brakes and flying over the handle bars, or at least seeing someone do this. The semi-flat conditions help with the lack of braking speed she has. Her bike is now in the shop and she got a loaner cruiser to ride around the Danish town we ended up in. The bike has coaster brakes (push back with your feet) and no clip peddles, but it does have a low bar, which Em can easily swing her foot over.

That's pretty much it. Except we arrived in Denmark today (5/13) and quickly realized our Euros were useless. We are now on the Danish Royal Kroner, where a loaf of bread coasts $K26 or bike shorts $K299. We'll get used to it by the time we leave. We are heading around Denmark and over to Sweden and meeting up with Em and my parents in Copenhagen in about ten days. Since none of us have cellular devices and internet scarce, it will be fun an adventures just finding them.

Funny signs in Germany

Photos (top to bottom): it is important to know ones tank speed; caution to quickly ending road, don't drive off; not sure, no anchoring in the two feet of mucky water; and cleaver bathroom signs.

More photo catsup

Photos (top to bottom): Em and Gen hit 7,000km; a windmill in Holland; a bicycler specific garbage can, found along bike routes; one of the many canals of Holland.

The Netherlands katsup

Photos (top to bottom): the dike system in Southern Holland; one of the awesome churches of Middleburg, NL; happy birthday Lucy, morning present surprise; Em at one of the many bicycle friendly intersections of the Netherlands.

Long Overdue!

I have gotten lazy and the countries went so quick. We were last heard of in France (northern that is). I believe the next day of riding we accomplished was just south of the French-Belgium border. We continued to ride into really strong head winds. Condition, which make riding a bike somewhat miserable. There is no break from peddeling, up or down the hills. We found many more hills in northern France. Our morning riding into Belgium was fantastic the lovely GPS took us on a "paved road" which was more or less a grass walking trail. We enjoyed the mist and light sprinkle as we inched closer to Belgium. Upon arriving we were saddened to not have a sign but signs for chocolate shops lined the road. We had been wondering what type of terrain Belgium might offer. For the first twenty kilometers or so it seemed to be gradually down hill. We joked that Belgium must be all down hill.
In the first big town we find ourselves in what do we see two, not one but two Chinese food restaurants. Once Georgias mind was set there was no stopping her. Unfortunately those two didn't pan out. We continued on our route. Within seconds what did we see a third Chinese food restueraunt. Dumplings here we come. After a lovely meal we hit the road. We had no idea where we were going so we simply went north. Emmas map was going to run out soon and we were all very unfamiliar with Belgium. Mid afternoon and the sun was shunning things were looking up. That changed rather quickly. We soon found ourselves in an epic lightening storm. We re-routed to the closest campground 14km down the busy road. Luckily there was a bike shoulder, however it was also acting as a drainage ditch. The lightening was striking within miles of where we were. We wondered about stopping but there was only hilly fields and large trees which didn't seem safe. We road on and made it to our campsite. After setting up and getting ready to settle in the rain had stopped. Our stuff was wet from the morning so the next day we waited for the sun to fight its way out, hoping it would dry our things. We have since read up on riding in lightening storms and proper procedure.
We knew Belgium was small but we didn't really think it we would only be one full day in it. On our second day we were in need of, what else, food and a map. After three grocery store failures and no map and a completely unrecognizable langue later we found our selves full on food and rushing northward new map in hand. We arrived at a campground and within seconds a lightning storm surged up. It was the most comical quickest campsite set up we have ever had. After fully unpacking the rain had stopped and the wind had calmed. We woke up our third day in Belgium and by eleven we were in the Netherlands/Holland. The next available Internet time we looked up the size of Belgium which is comparable to the size of Massachusetts. By the time we had entered the Netherlands we had truly left all the hills behind. However a country known for it's windmills should have been a good hint. We found a lot of wind, and unfortunately it wasn't going in our favor. We pushed forward in some extremely windy sections, like the narrow bridges and dike system in western Holland or Zeeland.
The Netherlands is amazing on a bicycle (minus the wind if it is not in your favor) there are bike paths everywhere and everyone is on a bike. It is really overwhelming at first but I have gotten completely used to it. We are now in northern Holland making our way to Germany then over to Denmark. The winds have calmed slightly as we are a little more inland but they are still presistsnt. We did have a bit of a tail wind today!!
Sorry about the long wait, it will be quicker next time.

Photo: a drying moment at our first campsite in Belgium.

A Bit of France

Photos: one of the many amazing churches, a church can be found in every town in France; a view of a newly planted field with yellow and green fields in the background.

Post parents France, still amazing. Yes they treated us to hotels and fancy dinners but that doesn't mean we got spoiled. One day Georgia even opted for a campground vrs. a hotel! None the less we greatly apreciated the help, hospitality, and home-ness of Kenny and Megan.

After they left (Easter morning) it was hard to motivate! We biked, however but only for a bit 20ish miles until we called it quits. We threw the towel in, in a town big enough for next day to be rewarding. A storm rolled in seconds after we had set up. The sky darkened, the rain poured and thunder roared. The next day came with poor response, nothing was open. Turns out the day after Easter everything is closed. Our morning soon turned to panic, we had no map and no food! We weren't sure which was worse for Emma. After rding circles in town we found a small open market. We stocked up on food. Still mapless we headed north as per the GPS. We ended that day early in hopes of the next day bearing a map and direction. We discoverdd that north isn't enough, maps are helpful.

We have found some hills but they are a nice change from flat. France is still beautiful every turn we take. Today we experienced something unique. We biked through an area where there was nothing except grand expanses of agricultural land. We have all experienced nothing driving and riding across USA, but this emptiness was different. There was no influence of humans (except the road), no electrical lines, no farm buildings, no tractors. We were all in awe.

We will soon be in Belgium and we are enjoying our time riding greatly.

Medival Festival Dance

The Stupidest Thing Ever

The weather couldn't have been more beautiful for our first day of ridding with Kenny. We headed off and after twenty miles of riding stopped for lunch. Along the way Em and I practiced holding hand while riding our bikes, an easyily accomplishable task. We joked about all of us holding hands and riding, what an idea. Reasonably do able, we ride no handed for long enough periods of time. After lunch
and in high spirits Gen planned to capture some footage of
Emma and I holding hands for the video. A nice stretch of realitivly flat road lay in front of us. In a split second thought I decided Georgia should join, I beconked her forward and reached out my hand. Georgia and I rode for a second before I clasped Emma's hand, which left me hand less in the middle of two bikes. By the time I had grabbed Emma's had we knew it was a bad idea, I am pretty sure Emma was already bailing. A slight swerve to the right, this was no good, abort but it was to late and huge serve to the left and Georgia and I had collided. Gen was able to get the last seconds of it on film and some how my digital SLR that was on my back landed gently right next to me. Slightly bruised and banged, Georgia and I were/are fine, but our rims were a mess. My spokes were literally severed and Georgia's was so bent it looked like a Salvador Dali painting. Plans were formulated and action was taken.
After a couple failed attempts at finding a bike mechanic near by with the help of some local people we found Megan or she found us. Kenny, Gen and Emma continued riding while Georgia and I packed up our bikes and stuff and us into the rental car. We caught up with the bikers and re-routed to a bigger city. The bike shop was closed so we would have to wait. Georgia needed a new rim and we thought my rim could be trued (replace spokes tighten them to straigten the rim). The next morning we went to action. Kenny dropped the rims off and with the little French he knows informed us the mechanic was on vacation and it would have to wait another day. After Megan conformed with the mechanic Kenny story which was completly wrong, we decided to head to Tour, a large city only fourty minuets away. Our luck and options would be better there.
After our drive there we started our search at a Decathlon a mega sports store similar to REI. They had a rim but it would be a smaller tire size. They pointed us in the direction of large bicycle store near by. We went there but it was closed. We drove into downtown Tour to catch some lunch. After lunch we headed back out to the bicycle shop rightly named Velo Land. They had no rim and said mine was most likely dead as well. Kenny convinced the mechanic to try truing mine, all the time Megan was learning many new bicycle related new French vocabulary. I stuck around to see the outcome of my rim while Megan, Kenny, Georgia and Emma went back to the Decathlon to get the smaller rim. It is okay to ride with different size tires Georgia would just downsize from a 32 to a 28, no big deal. Em was also able to get a cheap camel back and sleeping mat both of which have started leaking.
Upon arriving back at Velo Land Georgia got a new tire and some tubes and was in business. I had however been told the sad news that my rim was dead. The mechanic there had told us of a place in the city. Back in the car we pilled and made our way back to the city. Thankfully the mechanic there said we was able to build a rim for me and with a bit of convincing he would have it done the next morning. Kenny and I drove back to Tour the next day to pick the rim up and by 12:30 that day we were again enjoying the French countryside by bicycle. Durning the whole ordeal we discussed how much longer it would have taken for us to deal with this if we hadn't had the help of Kenny and Megan. Days would have been spent and things would have been lost in translation. We are so thankful for their help.
Now back on track we had an amazing day or riding yesterday accomplishing 68 miles, which we haven't done in a while. We also enjoyed some of the best strawberries any of us had ever had. And at the end of the day we crossed the Loire River, which if some one was riding west to east across the USA it would be like crossing the Mississippi River. It feels good, France is great.

Photos (top to bottom): Lucy's bike in a French forest; one of the many chateaux of the Loire Valley; Em and Gen reach 6,000km (3,700ish miles) spurpassing our US tour of 2006; lunch time photo shoot.

So Much So Little Time

We have been enjoying beautiful French riding. Small country roads connecting tiny villages, farm fields and forests. Not to mention the weather is beautiful, absolutely perfect, we could do with a little less wind, but the temperature is perfect and the forecast is for sun! One afternoon we were distractred by a filed of newly born sheep. We were hoping if we stuck around long enough we might witness a birth, however after almost an hour we moved on. We have been confronted with amazing helpful people even with our limited language skills. We had help finding an amazing little campground with the nicest Dutch family (they spoke English) running it, and because we were cyclist and they were not technically open, they offered it for free. Check it out: http://www.lagrossetalle.com/uk/camping/
If you are ever wandering around the French country side near Melle this is the place to stay. I would recommend your wandering to happen in April to catch the yellow fields that stretch more miles of a plant very similar to mustard.
In the past couple weeks we have been waiting more the arrival of Georgia's parents, Kenny and Megan, who were to find us once they arrived in Paris. Kenny was to bike with us and Megan was going to enjoy the French country side via car and and perhaps a chateaux or two. After biking a good morning we rolled into a town two days before they were to arrive and stumbled upon a medical festival. With bagpipes strumming, men on stilts and people in armor we decided we had to stay. We enjoyed the afternoon even participating in a tug of war, or side won of course. We made our way up to our campground ready to accomplish a good distance at day break. After making it to the grocery store with good timing we decided to stick around for another day. It would be convenient for Kenny and Megan to find us and there was plenty of exciting events and people to see. By the afternoon just after Gen and I got roped into some sort of dance game Kenny and Megan arrived finding us surprisingly quickly. We hadn't moved all day and stand out pretty well, plus Megan speaks French (extremely helpful). It was great to see them and speak English with people other then each other. Plus they brought a Tate's bag full of goodies, always an excitement. We enjoyed an amazing French meal, which we hadn't had because we had been waiting for Megan for help deciphering a French menu. We went to bed sleepy and tummies full ready for our first day of riding. . .

To be continued.

Photo (top to bottom): an ancient structure in France; country side shadows; sheep and lamb field; Lucy and her favorite vegetable.