Tues-Wed, Sept 13-14

Thanks to our family bike trip to Europe in spring, many of the logistics for this trip were easier or faster. I’d packed a bike before, almost nothing new needed to be purchased, and it’s definitely easier to travel with less planned in advance when it’s just me. In fact, I didn’t lock down my itinerary and route beyond the first couple days, since Friday’s ferry from England to the Netherlands was required planning.

So after a month of exploring route options and a week or so of actual packing (both far less time than spring!) Tammy and Noah dropped me off at Chicago O’Hare airport, and I was off. On the flight I sat next to an Ohio State Dept of Finance professor, which was quite a rare coincidence given I’d also taught in that department, so great to make a new friend right at the start.

The athletic adventure of the trip began Wednesday morning at Heathrow, as I carried & dragged my bike box for more than a mile from the oversized baggage claim (my bike’s appearance was timed perfectly with me finding where to look) to the Heathrow Express to Paddington, then subway to my hotel north of Charing Cross. The weather in London was gorgeous.

The start of my trip was defined by the spectacle of Queen Elizabeth’s passing the week before, and the day I arrived coincided with her procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster. My goal was to drop my bike box at the hotel and head to the procession route, and that all went perfectly, until I realized that it was a ridiculous notion that I would get close to the route. I joined countless others trying to find a gap in the heavy walls and security, but no luck.

So I walked along the Thames to the Slalom office near London Bridge, marveling at the “Queen’s queue” that had already formed to visit Westminster and lasted the next four days. I was extremely fortunate that my trip allowed me to see this in person. The line eventually went well past Slalom’s office.

My visit to the office was fantastic – lots of energy and great vibe. I worked for awhile, had beers with colleagues, and visited a nearby pub with them before heading back to the hotel. I built my bike without any issues and crashed to build up energy for the biking ahead.