And it’s all over before it begins…….

Unfortunately a training mishap has seen my trip cancelled. 

An innocuous accident resulting in a broken hand and wrist. It’s now pinned and plated but I need at least ten weeks to recover from surgery and build strength again. 

To say I’m devastated is an understatement. This trip was special to me. So many people got me to this point in my recovery from a fractured pelvis and long Covid, any many more through planning procrastination.

Europe will have to wait another year. In the interim, I’m focussed on healing and accepting all the love and help around me. Stay tuned.

How it started……

How it ended……

Recovery…..

Only 8 weeks to go....

 Only eight weeks to go until I fly to Paris! 

Time has flown (pardon the pun) by as I try to get myself more and more organised for my next solo trip. I've been grateful to have my coven around me during the past few challenging weeks. Some helping me with my training, others supporting me emotionally, some feeding me, giving me a spare room, and others just helping me drink more wine! It's all energy drink, right?

I've ridden some gravel on the touring bike, some fast rides with a bunch and some slow recovery rides solo, all adding to my overall strength and fitness. It's my preference to have company but given this will be a solo ride, I'm okay for those rides as well. 

I still have a few jobs to do, again with help from the coven. New touring tyres, testing the cooker (it's 17 years old this year - can't fault the MSR Whisperlite for value!), checking the sleep mat, organising last minute admin stuff - you know the drill!

Here are some pictures of various rides and activities over the past few weeks. As always, I'm grateful for you following my blog and I hope it inspires you to follow your dreams. 

Finally - Ready, Set......

The planning is finally done albeit after much procrastinating. A big shout out goes to my cycling buddies, Ian and Brian, for helping during some of the most challenging moments I've ever had planning a trip. Without their kindness and patience, I'd probably still be sitting at the my table poring over maps!

It's been quite a journey to get to this point and despite having mapped multiple tours, for reasons at the time that were unknown to me, I just couldn't bring myself to sit down and get it done. It does take a lot of research to plan a trip, but particularly a solo trip. This time, the trip is just for me. I'm not doing it to please anyone else, to prove anything, it's just for my enjoyment. 

Following a serious cycling accident in late 2021 and then contracting Covid in recovery, it's taken the best part of twelve months to get back to somewhere near my pre-accident fitness - currently at about 90%. I was unfortunately one of the unlucky ones with lingering Covid symptoms including tachycardia. Quite challening when cycling! 

So, I have a new bike, a new tent, new cycling shoes, new panniers and a whole lot of grit and determination to continue to see the world by bike. I hope you'll join me on the journey. 

You can find my itinerary on the blog. Stay tuned as my July departure approaches.  

Summing up - 1380km

These comments are purely my thoughts and experiences in relation to a particular event or day. I hope they are helpful. 

SNCF are still poo. Mostly unhelpful staff. Old trains not suitable for loaded bikes. That said, the train system is efficient and got us out of a sticky situation with a broken bike. 

This is the most continuous hot weather I’ve ever experienced in France. Day after day of 38+ degrees on the bike takes its toll. The water in my bottles was hot enough to make coffee! 

When riding in hilly areas, consider your gearing. I need a lighter bike with more gears. 

When booking accommodation in summer, check for air conditioning. In Australia it is standard but not in France. And you will likely pay extra for the cost convenience. 

Electric bikes are the norm here, adults and kids alike. I’ve never seen so many electric bikes particularly in Annecy! 

French campgrounds are so variable and quality can’t be determined by stars. The best facilities for cyclists was provided at Les Violettes just outside of Toulouse. They provided tables and chairs and free electricity for cyclists. The campsite was grassy and shaded. Five stars from us. 

Never underestimate the generosity of people. We had a shitty campsite in a beautiful location but no possibility of food apart from a few small provisions. The restaurant at the lake was booked out. The lady running the restaurant was also celiac so had the kitchen prepare us paella for two and gave me a loaf of gluten free bread. So kind. 

Travelling with Elodie was a highlight and then having her meet us in Lyon was icing on the cake. Such a beautiful person. 

Lyon is a beautiful city and quite possibly my new favourite. It seemed so clean and well organised with so much to see. I would definitely go back. 

Always, always check the bolts and fittings on your bike. Use Loctite and be vigilant when you hear new noises. Always check them out. 

Some routes are not suitable for a loaded touring bike despite suggestions to the contrary. The Canal du Midi and the Voie Bleu are in my opinion only suitable for mountain bikes. 

The Hotel de La Porte Doree in Paris was again outstanding. Holding my bike boxes until my return. Great breakfast and lovely people. Would definitely recommend. 

Riding the Champs Élysées was a highlight. So happy I got to do this. 

In general, beautiful and safe cycling. More impatience this time than I’ve ever experienced before but still delightful cycling. I’ll be back. 

Emirates vs Singapore Airlines: interesting debate. Personal preference. I really dislike the long haul to and from Dubai. My vote is Singapore Airlines. I prefer their airport. They also seem to have more control of the plane - enforcing day and night. It didn’t happen on Emirates. We were in darkness for 24 hours. Totally 💩 for jet lag. 

Always clean your bikes and gear when coming into Australia. Don’t bring food and always declare anything you are uncertain about. It makes for an easy transition through security. 

Another amazing successful trip of almost 1400km. Drink wine out of the bottle if you have to.  🤣🤣🤣

Now for the next adventure. 🤔 🤔🤔🚲🚲🚲✈️✈️✈️ ☀️ ☀️☀️

Last day in Paris

What a final day. 

After riding the Champs Élysées, we packed the bikes, had a sneaky drink at Samaritaine, went to Printemps, Galleries Lafayette and visited the Crypt of Notre Dame. Oh, and also had one of the worst meals and service ever in the Latin Quarter. 😬🫤

Tomorrow we head home. We can’t wait to see friends and family. It’s been a great trip. I’ll post my summing up blog soon. 

Thanks for following.

Riding the Champs Élysées

This morning we rode the Champs Élysées. The video is posted to my Insta account as it is too large for this blog. 😬

Here’s some pictures instead. 

Beaune to Paris by train

We decided to do most of our cleaning before we left the campground given the train didn’t leave until 1pm. For quarantine reasons, everything  must be cleaned before we re-enter Australia. We disinfected our belongings including the tent. We washed shoes and cleaned panniers, and discarded many unneeded items.

We said a brief farewell to Andy and Lisa and made our way slowly to the train station. The rear rack is near impossible to ride with now.

The train arrived and as mostly happens, it’s an old train with stairs so we must unpack the bikes and get them on in the two minute stop timeframe. We waited for everyone else to board with their luggage as we normally do. And alas, the bike bay that the unhelpful SNCF staff member directed us to was full. I asked for assistance and she just shrugged her shoulders. So we muscled our way into a tiny spot between doors with two bikes and panniers just so the doors could close. After a search of the train we found another bike spot and loaded our baggage into the same area. We settled in for the three and half our train ride. 

We arrived at our hotel without too much trouble apart from the bike issue. After a quick shower we headed out to find dinner. We had researched gluten free restaurants in Paris before we left snd Kapunka came up with great reviews. It has multiple outlets in Paris but check their website for closures during August. Google told us the first one we visited would be open but it wasn’t. 

Kapunka is Thai food which is one of our favourites and after having hardly eaten all day, I was starving. The food and serving sizes didn’t disappoint. We agreed that it was the best vegetarian Pad Thai we had ever had. It was very casual and quick which suited us as we were tired. 

One last day in Paris before we head home. Bikes to pack. Places to see. 😁