With our endurance epic fast coming to a close I thought I'd pen some of the highlights of our trip in terms of things I'm looking forward to , will and wont miss when back in OZ !
- Having a normal meal that doesn't require a translation, provides for plentiful portions and vegetables and isn't off the shelf at a Supermarket!
- Not having to go through the daily routine of packing, telling Henley to take his asthma puffer, checking the bike (usually by counting that i had two tyres still in place )!
- Missing the incredible scenery we've experienced and the "soul addiction" that cycling brings in this part of the world !
- Watching a polite KH ask for directions off someone in Europe smile, nod knowledgeably and then turn around to me and say "I've got no bloody idea what they were saying"!
- Watching KH miss a turn on a steep hill and knowing that I'd have to cycle after him at speed !
- Watching myself implode with a combination of bad weather (not in Europe) a soggy map and being lost !
- Not to be woken up by speeding traffic (KHs preference to sleep with all the windows open despite him not liking the cold) non stop church bells or Henleys rendition of Mozarts first symphony coming from his rear end!
- Missing the times had with great friends particularly in France and catching up with people we'd met in Tibet
- Not missing trying to interpret a cycle route sign that points aimlessly in the direction of 3 possible roads or the case most recently in Switzerland where 3 signs for the one route were posted 1 to the left 1 to the right and 1 straight ahead!!!
- Missing the satisfaction of completing a good days cycle and actually arriving at our planned destination with the bike still working !
- Missing the countless people that helped us along the way, the international cycling fraternity and the looks of countless people simply because i had a camera on my head!
- Not missing KH meticulously writing his travel notes at 11pm at night with the lights on I'm trying to get to sleep!
- Missing the companionship of a great bloke who despite all said and done KH has been great company and will arrive back in OZ hopefully a little more civilised than when he left (about 0.01%)!
What a trip !!!!
8,000 Km's in 3 months cycling across UK and Europe ! In July the Tibetan hardened duo ride from Lands End on this "boys own" epic. After cycling UK's best Kev & Mike go on to Europe to cycle from Berchtesgaden (Bavaria) to Amboise in France meeting fellow Warby's Viv & Linton and Mike's sister Kim for an incredible Journey to Barcelona. The epic ends with a spectacular climb over the Alps and a cycle through Switzerland and along the fabulous Rhine!
G'day Litchy -
ReplyDeleteI will miss reading these updates.
But a highlight will be to catch up with you back at work to get lots more stories of the trip.
Have a safe last few days
Dennis
It's been a great read, can't wait for the movie!!
ReplyDeleteKev, you riding next Friday?????
WMc
Now for the Oscar-winning production! Well done to you both. A ride from Melbourne to Lake Cathie should now be a breeze, eh?
ReplyDelete