Thanks to all the effort on Tuesday, Wednesday morning just required me carrying my plastic-wrapped, homebuilt bike box from the airport to the terminal, checking it in without issue or judgment, and relaxing at Charles de Gaulle for a few hours. My calf-achilles issue subsided during the morning, and check-in went quite smoothly. In Chicago,... Continue Reading →
Mon-Tues, Sept 19-20
The route I planned fit neatly into three two-day parts: England, Netherlands+Belgium, and France. Having toured in France years ago, I knew that “department roads” were lower traffic volumes and speeds, but I was nervous about biking thru a less touristy area this time. But the French apparently have invested a ton in bike lanes... Continue Reading →
Sat-Sun, Sept 17-18
Sleeping on the overnight ferry between England and the Netherlands didn’t come easy after the first couple hours. I’d chosen one of the few front-facing cabins, which meant that the ship’s rocking was side-to side for my bed facing forward, and it was rough on me. Queasiness set in as it felt a bit like... Continue Reading →
Thur-Fri, Sept 15-16
My first riding day was what I was most nervous about, with biking thru London followed by some hills and an unknown level of bike friendliness in rural England. However, nearly everything worked quite well. I started early enough that north London was pretty calm, mostly families going to school and good bike signage. After... Continue Reading →
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... Continue Reading →
Dan – Tammy – Noah 