Bicycles on european trains

I left Patra by boat at 23:59, it took 32 hours to reach Venice, it was a pleasant trip sailing up the Adriatic back past Albania and Croatia etc. An inquiry at the train ticket office in Venice is where I was told no such journey was possible with a bike to Paris unless it was in a bike bag. I tried to get such a bag in few other city's but Venice isn't a city where there is even a bicycle shop that google knew about.
I got a train to Milan a bigger city with many bicycle shops I was hoping to buy bike bag there but instead of spending money looking about for a suitable bag I jumped on the next train to Geneve, booking this ticket wasn't that simple. After queuing for a little time to buy a ticket he had found a train taking bikes but every time he hit book trip the computer crashed, in the end i was issued with a handwritten slip to produce to the guard on the train for my bike and by 21:00 I  ended up in Geneve via high speed train, while on board I got chatting to nuclear scientist that worked at cern.

I Then booked into cheep hotel in Geneve so i could get 7:41 to London. They could only get me as far as Paris because all the trains are booked out to the UK till after Dec 25 so I guess its a train to Calais and the boat to Dover unless the eurostar bike service is not booked out better give norm a call when I get to Paris.

Location : Chemin des Teppes-du-Biolay, 1281 Russin,

Venice

The boat trip from Patras to Venice went well food and coffee was of a ok standard for a boat but a little expensive. I couldn't see any signs from Venice port to the train station in Venice which seemed a little weird altho its only half a kilometre away but found my self cutting through the train works yard to get there, then a couple of engineers showing me the cross rails route to get to the station very friendly bunch. Upon arrival at the ticket office I was was informed that there is no solution for getting me and my bike to Paris with out a bike bag. So i brought a regional train ticket to Milan where i hope to be able to buy a bike bag at a sensible price unlike the 229 that i found in Patras. Theres snow on the ground here in Venice and its a little brisk probably get  hotel in Milan and work out my options but one other thought was to hire a car and drop it of in Paris which would save having to buy bike bag and a hotel.

Location : SH 8,                 

Made it to Patra

It was  big day to get to Patra for the boat to Venice and make my way back to England. I had snow sleet and rain to contend with and map errors that forced me to go a the sightly longer route to rejoin the planed route further down the road. The sun came out after 15:00 and gave me spectacular views of the snow capped mountains. I did the last 20km in the dark with even more rain to deal with. There was even a few people cheering as I got to the outskirts of the city if only they knew what id been up to for the last 3 months. Once I got to town it really felt like Christmas with lights and Christmas shoppers every where the roads to get to town where some of the worst I've seen in Greece pot holes and crazy drivers everywhere almost got knocked off my bike with Mercedes SUV skidding to a holt just in time, with only a rear light I was probably in the wrong.
Trying to find a hotel seemed a nightmare as well but got here in the end phew. For tomorrows mission is to head over the the other side of town get a bike bag from the bikecenterpatra.gr shop so i can get on the euro star from Venice or possibly the Artesia night train depending on prices. Seems at this time of year the boat sails every 4 days it also cheaper to go on the 36hour boat to Venice than the much sorter boat to Bari. How they work that out I'm unsure but a trip to the ticket office will settle any doubts there.

I booked the boat to Venice with Minoan lines nice a easy as for the bike bag not so simple although i sent a email over a week ago saying that I was coming to town and in need of a bike bag and the hotel staff ringing to check there was one in stock when I got there he showed me a bike cover and looked at me blankly when i said about the email i sent he was kind enough to find another bike shop on the map on my GPS but when i got there they did indeed have a monster Scot bag for a mear 229 euros not with in my budget and probably way over size for the train company's that stipulate a bag the same size as a suitcase. Unable to find any bike shops in Venice so the next leg is a little uncertain. Milan for sure will have a bike shop so may have to get regional train to there and sort it out from there if it weren't so cold in northern Italy i might have been tempted to visit the chapel of modonna di ghisallo the patron saint of cycling you never now might make one last pilgrimage.

Location : Πατρόκλου 10, Patras 26442,

A winter wonderland

I  awoke this morning to a winterly wonderland climbing the hills to 1306M the snow got deeper probably to about 100mm manged to stay on the bike riding in the car tyre marks. Descending through some picturesque villages where I manged to get more bread and a hot coffee many ancient things to stop and look at but it was a little too chilly to bother. I had to put my other shoes on, as the sole less ones where  little to draughty with my toes feeling the chill the most. A few ups and down all day but now at just 100M asl so there must have been a lot of down. Truly beautiful scenery with rock outcrops and forested hills and  possibly mountains tonight crossed the river Erymanthos which brings me to municipality of ancient Olympia. And just 100km from Patra and no big climbs to get there either.

Location : Πύργου-Τριπόλεως, Αρχαία Ολυμπία 27065,

Lost my sole so im sleeping in a church

Today the sole of my northwave  shoes  came unstuck I had  glued it once before but this  time its much worse, they are a good few years old and have served me well. I  should  be able to patch them up once more to carry me to  Patra. Theres been a little bit of rain today nothing serious tomorrow could be another story tho.
I got to Tripoli today asking about a hotel so i  could dry my  shoes and glue them, just about to pay for room and asked about safe place to leave bike "out front she says" I wasn't happy about that its quite a big city and its a long walk to patra. There is nowhere she said just out front I find it hard to believe that everything comes through the front door.
I left Tripoli winding up through the  tree covered hills with lichen hanging off everything very beautiful climbing to 1000 meters where the clouds where black and rolling over the road I decided  to get the tent up and call it a day when I found a church with the front door unlocked so I'm going to spend the night in here, its now raining and bloody cold so thanks to the big man.

Location : Τρίπολης-Χρισοβιτσίου, Φάλανθος 22100,

Plane canceled onto patra

Methana was lovely and quiet but a total let down with the hot baths closed and ending up in a health spa with the water luke warm at best possibly because of the rain. Decided to head to Patra after my flight was canceled because of a air traffic controllers strike here in Greece from patra taking the boat to Venice where I hope to get the train onto Paris and then to Ashford. Stopped in Naypilio last night and this morning headed to the Heinkon pyramid its actually older than any in Egypt but no where as big. It had terrific views but its use is unclear, possibly a lookout tower. Spending some time there for lunch and exploring the area I actually found a secret hiding place by the doorway into the main chamber,  I was wondering what it was used for there was nothing inside like treasure but exciting all the same. In the end I assumed it was maybe a place for a key if they had locks then or the stone that covers the cavity was used to prop the door open or possibly a space for offerings to the gods. But what ever the use the craftsmanship was impeccable.

Location : Παλαιά Εθνική Οδός Άργους-Τριπόλεως, Lerna 21200,

Tomb raider

Eventually found the Pausanias baths on arrival it felt like the game tomb Raider what we have is  iron rod with a hook on it, a switch board with power and a hose. After playing with all the objects I still have no hot water. It looks as if has had a little repair work done to it with empty bags of cement and new roof tiles strewn about. I read about having to use a pump to get old water out but there is no sign of it here. The  RCD test switch don't work. Poking about with the iron rod in bottom of baths does produce some bubbles but there is no smell of  thermal activity. Just waiting here for a miracle to happen. Ive been to  few thermal waters across the  world and I've got to say new Zealand has the best so far.

Location : Αιγίνης-Σφεντουρίου, Αίγινα 18010,

Methana

After cycling 160 odd km to reach the hot baths of Methana I arrive in town and can smell the sulphur of the springs only to find them closed this month . I find there is another just down the road and when i get there its also closed. I head around to the north side of the peninsula in search of the Pausanias baths near Nikolaos, signs posted from miles away and all along the road but upon getting to the end of the road along the coast I must have missed it. No hot bath tonight back in the tent in another olive grove with the sound of the waves lapping at the shore.

Location : Αιγίνης-Σφεντουρίου, Αίγινα 18010,

Eleusis

I camped on the outskirts of town by the boat building yard, the town is very industrial with the archaeology park located near the center 3 euros to enter and well worth while there was a cafe across the road cyceon where i got coffee before entering i was shocked by the price of the coffee but once they realized i had cycled from England by bike I got a special price on the coffee, and some lovely postcards of the archaeology site, some salted nuts to take away. Which all made up for it. It was very good coffee as well. Eleusis is the place where the ancient Greeks worshiped Demeter and the religious festival called the eleusinina mysteries where held. The word eleusis comes from two Greek words eos  arival and mystririon secrecy  member would walk along the sacred way from Athens carrying sacred objects of Demeter and the drink called Kykeon during the festival not much is known about the proceedings as if any member spoke of what happened it was punishable by death. Leaving in the afternoon and cycling south west along the old coast road towards Methana where I hope to find some hot springs to rest and relax before heading back to the UK for a icy winter.

Location : Παλαιά Εθνική Οδός Αθηνών-Πατρών, Nea Peramos 19006,

Frosty morning

It was a chilly night last night awoke to frozen water bottles and frost on my bags I was fine in the tent with my 0deg rated sleeping bag but had to melt ice for porridge and coffee this morning. Pushed over a few hills to find the old fortress of eleutherai a 4th century BC fortress that was free to visit no ropes or paths just over grown and free to rome and explore, the real surprise was the well a small hole in the ground that you are also able to access below the outer wall as well. No water inside otherwise I would have been able to make coffee for lunch. Carrying on over another few hills to make it to elefsina where I was hopefully going to get a hotel for the night and check out the archaeology site in the morning. I read about this site in a book i got one Christmas where members of the cult drank a psychedelic drink possibly made from ergot.

All the hotels where booked out and expensive anyhow I had a bit trouble finding them so i asked Steve a police officer how to get there on passing back we stopped to talk for a couple of hours and even got a police issue doughnut. Heading out of  town trying to find a place for the tent a number of savage dogs tried to have a go really getting sick and tired of dogs and next time I go cycle touring I'm going to get a water pistol to travel with. Just a couple of km out of town I found a place to camp over looking the dry dock with some big ships being worked on. In the morning I will make my way to archaeology site.

Location : Παλαιά Εθνική Οδός Αθηνών-Κορίνθου, Eleusina 19600,

Delphi

Been resting in Delphi for few days and on my birthday I went to the archaeology park of Delphi first off I went to the museum very modern building with a great number of interesting relics discovered by the french when they got rights to dig there in  1892.

Delphi  is on the slopes of mount Parnassus and has been religious shrine for at least 3500 years, the ancient Greeks considered it the center of the earth when Zeus released two eagles that flew in opposite directions to arrive in Delphi the spot was marked by a carved stone called Omphalos which translates to navel or center.

When Apollo slayed the python snake that lived here its body fell into a crack in the earth. The fumes from the decomposition of its body led to the delphi oracle falling into a trance and giving answers to people from all over the ancient world. It has been discovered recently that the meeting of two earth faults meet under the temple of Apollo and released the psychedelic gas ethylene.

Location : Δελφοί, Delphi 33054,

Corgcian cave day 2

Well I survived the night and food bag still intact as I was drifting off to sleep I recalled the scene in the film 300 where the spartins boy had to sleep away from the home and killed a wolf. Pleasant dreams to night. Ruther scary, wish i'd not had the warning from the cafe owner. Awoke this morning with the sun at 7:30 and had coffee at the cave mouth. Then promptly put the head torch on and went exploring. At the back of the first room is a rope leading up and into another room where I found another two ropes leading to two smaller rooms graffiti scratched into the wall going back too 1902 was the earliest I found. To get top room was a little hair raising at one point I was thinking what the hell am I doing up here.  Inside of the cave is truly magical found two large mice in the top cave we stood and steered at each other for quite while. After about 2 hours I'm back outside making another coffee enjoying the outside air and views of surrounding country side.

Location : Δελφοί, Delphi 33054,

Corgcian cave

Packed up bright and  early this morning the sun was out and had nice down hill ride for about 6km where i found Louis and Matteo repairing a puncture in Louis front wheel said the normal good mornings and how you doing Matteo seemed please to see me but cant say the same for Louis. Set off just before the job was done and continued down hill to Gravia where i picked up supplies and asked directions to the corgcian cave and the road condition. Road sounded fine and in reality it was even better.  The route Gravia on to mariolata, lilaia and eptalofos, where i got a  couple of hot coffees from a lovely cafe and asked directions once more. The turning on the right just passed the ski center and was also informed to be very carefull staying the night up there as the likely hood of bears and wolves was more worried about snow and tics nothing any bigger. When i got just passed the ski center there it was marked with a picture of a person on mountain bike written in greek kopikeion andpo which is corgcian cave i guess. Got there just after sunset and a little jumpy about bears and wolves so found a big stick and promptly rang Friend to say where I was and to expect call from me in the morning. Now in tent and can undead hear a wolves howling but is on another hill far a way or sounds that way any how. Hopping that my mountain hardware tent is Wolfe proof. Got food on bike a good 5 meters a way prob not far enough but got the stick and my butter knife with me. :-)

Location : Δελφοί, Delphi 33054,

Onwards and upwards

Back on track or so i thought till i got to a T junction that was meant to carry straight on but there was no sign of this road just cabbages by this point i was looking for a main tarmac road to just get outta here Ive got some corrections to make to osm when i get a computer with Internet and not a android phone.

The wind has been hot and strong unfortunately its been a head wind i found i had to pedal down hill to move this morning. Got to Lamia for lunch time and quickly left heavily polluted with fumes and chaos on the roads across another small plain in up another hill stopped a the foot of the hill for lunch at a quaint church in a olive grove. The maps are completely wrong again it had me climbing up the same route that the power pylons took impossible by bike but luckily there was a road that snaked up the hill side and joined the original route near the top found a nice level grassy patch to set up camp for the night. With wonderful views over the plain below. 

Location : Ηρακλειάς-Σκαμνού, Γοργοπόταμος 35100,

Routing errors

For the first time osm and bikeroutetoaster has let me down there is some serious mapping errors of the trikala plane its a maze of dirt and tarmac roads and the previous 3 days of rain turned the dirt roads to mud. It started out fine from kalambaka and around metroa spectacular views and very picturesque. Coming down onto main road the route was across olive grove no road in sight it was ok there was another road that joined main road in a few hundred meters then next turn took me into builders yard ummmm. Finding correct roads again but seemed to be out of position by a good few hundred meters. Cycled on enjoying the sun and got to river where I supposed to cross but no bridge, may be there is a ford in summer months but it was swollen by the previous days rain and no sign of a road leading up the flood bank just a rabid dog barking and bearing his teeth. Asked old lady weeding her veg patch using international sign language but only got Greek replies but think i understood there was a bridge in either direction but how far was any body's guess. Eventually found a bridge and many locals looking at flooded river pointing and shaking there heads. Now not to many kms off course and managed to join it again taking a right down yet another farmers dirt road led me into the stickiest mud I've ever seen and Ive spent years mtb in the high weald south of London and that mud is legendary into antiquity. After a good hour of hauling my bike mud and all i get to yet another river that's impassable but not according to my map. The only thing to do was turn back try something else. By the time i was back on the tarmac it was dark and my mudguards where full of mud making cycling a big effort scraped out the best i could with a stick getting long curved sausages of mud. I managed to find a hose and was able scrape mud away and carry on till 10pm where i looked down at the speedo to discover 115km covered today my biggest day on this trip pulled over and slept in a disused petrol station and awoke to beautiful sun and views of snow capped mountains.

Location : Καλαμάκι, Lamia 35100,

Kalambaka

I decided the other day to continue the journey on my own leaving Louis and Matteo just south of Neapoli in a village called Mikrokastro we stopped for lunch in a bus shelter as it was windy and raining. I stopped the night just out of Grevena and in the  morning watched them cycle past on the low road as i came down the  hill.

That morning there was a onslaught of accents and descents that brought me to the river Pinios and the plain of Tirkala. It was a easy ride into Kalambaka along the river, still raining so i booked into hotel Odysseneon where i had a great view of the Meteora sandstone rock formations with almost a full moon raising behind the largest outcrop.

Ive been hoping for.a dry spell to get out on my bike unladen but no such luck. Been reading about Delphi, the Corycian cave where i hope to camp for a few days and after  eleuisis. Ive booked  flight back to the uk with eazyjet 25 euros extra to bring bike back. Leaving December 15th.

Location : Καλαμπάκας-Καστρακίου, Kalabaka 42200,

Ever changing plans

Albania turned out to be really nice, the people are amazing very generous. The roads got much better as we travelled south ended up not going through Macedonia but went down on the west side of lake orichd and staying in Albania a little longer we met up with a Sicilian  cyclist heading to Athens and onto Israel we have been together a few days now covering a few km. We are now in Greece finding everything much more expensive than Albania. Wished we had picked up more supplies. The weather is  changing with wetter days and cold nights but we have been at  around 1000m above sea level for the last few days so it should get warmer as we head down and south. Tonight camping in a bird watches hide by lake kastoria in Greece strong winds but at least we have a roof for the night and a quick pack up in the morning. Heading to kalambaka to see the rock formations.

Location : SH 3,

Macedonia here we come

Plans always in constant flux found the roads in Albania not so cycle freindly either the choice of main roads with good surface or roads with many pot holes and much trafic but moving slower. We have decided to head to Macedonia and down to greece where the roads and trafic are reported to be much better. Albania is having a major rebuild after the war with kosavo, sitting in a trendy cafe using internet in tirana the capital the town center is all dug up for new water pipes. People seem very freindly. 

Location : Rruga Reshit Çollaku, Tirana 1001,

Montenegro

I have got to Dubrovnik in Croatia then on to  Kotor, Budvar and Bar in Montenegro, Kotor was a real surprise spectacular mid-evil walled city on a bay surrounded by mountains we got a room for 10 euros a night in a nearby village the whole bay area was one of the most beautiful areas Ive seen on this trip so far.

Location : Zog I Blvd, Tirana,

Change of plan

We have decided to change our plan to head to Grease instead of Istanbul. The route seems a lot easier with the highest pass at only 1000m and not 1800 which could be covered in snow at this time of the year once in Grease we hope to stop in Delphi and Sparta and from there some how work out a way back to England with my bike poss with inter rail train ticket that allowes us to travel for a number of days anywhere in europe except Albania so there could be  few detours to get back nothing is ever easy. We stayed in Dubrovnik for one night and checked out the old city void of cars but a nightmare to see fuly by bike as there is many stairs but truly spectacular built in middle ages but was badly damaged in the war but has been repaired and the walls where never damaged. 

Location : Konavle,

Only 2 and Stoned...

We cycled through certina valley and over the hill to the beach what a wonderful view we had. The days are very short now sunset at 1645 we decided to camp behind a cemetery but then we met Antonio a Croatian man who managed to repair leas rear wheel although the wheel had only covered a few hundred km all the spokes rattling loose.

He then invited us to stay in his spare apartment for the night. Shower and bed what a treat. Awaking in the morning the girls Informed us that they wanted to travel alone. That was fine by me but i just hoped that it was nothing to do with me joining there trip they assured me it wasn't and now Louis and i are traveling together to Istanbul. We crossed back over the hill to the valley that runs parallel to the sea but on reaching 3/4 of the way to the summit we found a big rock fallen had blocked the road with a TV crew reporting the incident nearby, they interviewed us I said I wasn't going to let some stones on the road make me turn back and they then  filmed us crossing the slip. Apparently it was going to be on the news at 1915 nova channel. We failed to find TV to see the report but guessed the locals prob called us idiots. Oh well we passed with no problems and got back on route.

Location : Vrgorac,

On the road in Croatia

We took the boat sailed at 2100, from Ancona to split and arrived at 7am the journey was pleasant and void off people it must have cost jadrolinija the ferry company money to sail. We arrived to 17 deg temp with sun on our faces. We sat at a cafe on the sea front  studying the new map and enjoying the coffee.  We where on the the road by 11am  after stopping at the market for supplies.  Although its a port town with duel carriage ways the road where quiet for us people seemed friendly and some  speak very good English the surrounding hills look ferocious but the climbs aren't that hard at all, long and steady. It looks as if the highest hill is 714M although one of the bikes needs to go to a bike shop and have the spokes tightened they are only finger tight. As Its a new wheel and i suspect there was never any loctite applied to the nipples. It could be a trip back down the hill to Omis where we have been told there may be a bike shop.

Location : Omiš,

Ancona by train.

We stayed a extra day at Darios house as a crazy storm passed  we took a train to Rome and on to Ancona where we take a boat in the morning to Split in Croatia then we will start cycling again on our way to Istanbul. The trains in Italy seem to charge extra for bikes and dogs but all in all the trains are reasonable in price about 30 euros for a 6 hour journey including the bike but the french seem expert blaggers and i think the bikes went for free. Arriving in Ancona we had some persistent light rain so i went for a budget hotel by the station while the french looked for some free accommodation else where in town tomorrow i will see how there night was. At least they are well setup up for wet weather so they should stay dry at least.   

Location : Molo Nord, 28, 60121 Ancona,

Location : Molo Nord, 28, 60121 Ancona,

The mountain hide away and beyond.

I met some french cyclists in rome that where travelling to istanbull, it was one of the plans to carry on to istanbull and fter finding a gaggle of cyclists traveling the it seemed like a good plan to join them after comming from near Basel on my own it will be nice to have some company. We left roma on the train to Fossanova where we cycled on to a mountain retreat in the village of Pisterzo and the house of Dario a italian friend of the french. Hospitality has been as good as the views and fresh air. Its a relief to be back in the nature and outa the crazy but beautiful city of Roma.

The plan is to train to the east coast of Italy catch a boat to Split in Croatia and travel south to Dubrovnik and over the bumps to istanbull. I only hope that the weather isnt nasty with the highest peek at 1800 it makes me think of snow and ice but i think im as mad and the french to have a go. After all the tent is 4 seasons and the bag goes down to zero so all should be fine right. Stay tuned for the next stage in a mental journey.

Location : Via Provinciale, 04010 Prossedi Latina,

Critical mass Roma

I had a go rebuilding my wheel but something when terribly wrong and Idecided it wasn't the time to be playing with my front wheel, so i took it to the experts at bbike.it it was ready in 24 hours unlike pro bike who said it was going 2 weeks. The bike mechanic asked if i was going to critical mass on Friday after a short explanation I was sure I was going to go.
After meeting  fori impiriali for the.start we cycled around for 3 and a half hours causing chaos on the roads there was about 3-4 hundreds cyclist on all manner of bikes tandems tricycles tall bike and short. The ride finished with a party and drinks at one of the cicofficina where i met people from all over the world enthusiastic about cycling.

Location : Via dei Salentini, 4, 00185 Rome,

Bravo Roma with stops

Well I left on the 3 Sep and arrived  on 21 Nov that makes it 48 days and there must have been 10 rest days 2100 km to get here and a good few bumps. Weather has been good to me although there been roughly 5 wet days but I spent them in the luxury of a House in Como but theres been a few rain showers as a  I peddled along. The nights are getting chilly wondering how its going to be if I carry on to Brindisi across the Appenini where the altitudes get a lot higher. Planning to use via Appia to get to Benevento where i will change onto the Trajans way and head through Puglia to Brindisi where i plan to head back to England on the train and then fly on to New Zealand.

Location : Via dei Salentini, 4, 00185 Rome,

Take it easy and you might make it.

The front wheel bearings are on there last legs the cups are heavily worn, the cones have pitting and chatter marks the man at the bike shop did his best to find replacement parts but in the end just had to repack bearings and hope for the best. The hubs I have on the bike are Cannondale earth and every cone he had wasn't long enough to be able to get a spanner on it. He didn't speak a word of English and my Italian ain't up to speed yet so i pulled out my android phone and with the help of the google translate app we  where able to establish i was fucked or at least my front wheel was. Had 3 days rest while I waited for the bad news at il borgo hotel in Acquapendente only 25 euro a night right in the center of town just of main plaza so it wasn't all bad. Lovely place well worth stopping to check out old cobbled streets and narrow alleys. Only 83 km to Rome now and I'm trying to follow bike mechanics advice to take it easy and i get to this road in photo.

Location : 01027 Montefiascone Viterbo,

Francigena rain.

Despite waking early and getting ready to pack tent down the weather turned for the worst it was  the worst rain Ive had on this trip heavy rain last night and now looks like today as well, back in the sleeping bag hoping it will clear soon. The forecast was mainly sunnie but sky totally  white.
Worried about the mildew on the tent fly.  Pushed on through the rain to see blue sky over the hills in Acquapendente where I am now waiting for pizza the photo is from a sign along the Via Francigena a Georgian bridge that pilgrims would pass over but i didn't see it, just a new bridge. It was commissioned by one of the popes as it was one one the most dangerous parts of the pilgrimage, they obviously didn't have the crazy roads of north Italy Como to Parma especially. Pizza was great and found a cheep hotel only 25 euros a night charging phone and camera battery's. Only 120 to Rome now and the front wheel bearing seems to be making a bad noise better open it up in the morning and have a look feels tight but rough there was a bike shop on the way into town may have to get new bearings cups or cones we will see in the morning.    

Location : Vicolo Morelli, 8-12, 01021 Acquapendente Viterbo,

Slowly but surely

Had a bit of rain last night and seemed to take for ever for the fly to dry before setting off got away about lunch time easy roads after Siena hills only small and rolling forgot that it was Saturday and the shops close early so running a little low on food. More rain forecast for the evening and a little edgy about the camping spot I chose think I'm just behind a house so must try for early start to avoid any confrontation with the land owner. Im seeing many Francigena signs now so i guess they are pretty used to pilgrims pulling up and camping the night, weather that's a good thing I don't know only but its only 180km to Rome now and still no idea what to do next. Carry on to Brindisi? grease even? and how to get my bike back to the UK is another issue. With out spending a small fortune. Had thoughts of getting ferry to Spain and cycling to east coast and getting another ferry to Plymouth but I bet northern Spain is getting cold now. Hopefully it will all come clear within the next couple of days.

Location : 53024 Montalcino Sienna,

Rest in siena

Decided to take a rest day and see the sights of Siena, unloaded the panniers and set off this morning, oh what a delight to ride the bike up the steep hills of this city. Had a few people ask me for direction this sun tan or something must be making me look local. Many great sights like Florence, tall buildings and narrow cobbled streets.

The ortlieb bed mat got yet another leak in it so much for puncture proof its only used in the tent and cared for, wonder if a thermarest would have a better choice the seamseal seems to fix it well.

Location : Via Camporegio, 2, 53100 Sienna,

Siena

Woke this morning to the sounds of dogs and gun shots it had me quickly packing then tent and making my way to the road, lucky the owner of the lake I was camped next to didn't see me. I followed the SP112 then the SS222 to Siena, quiet roads and nice and hilly up and down the whole way with many cyclist out all giving nods and waves. I found a camp ground on the out skirts of Siena 15 euro a night the pitch is sandy and not very level oh well had a hot shower and a chance to charge my power monkey and phones. Going to have a quick look at Siena in the morning and then follow Via Enea silvio piccolom road, then onto SS2 south towards Rome. Found yet another tick on my armpit don't normally like to use deet or such products but it looks like i might have to use something.

Location : Strada di Scacciapensieri, 43, 53100 Sienna,

On to siena

Left Florence on the via de serragil road and passed through the city gates they must have anticipated 21 century high top buses cause they where enormous high wooden gates must have been more than 15 meters high easy. There was some pretty steep hills and just as i was reaching Impruneta there was a bunch of cyclist out for a ride we did the caio then one remarked in English that I was setting the pace I replied oh hello you speak English. Turns out they where visiting a Australian Friend and where from New Zealand we cycled along for a while nattering away. They stopped to admire the view and I carried on. Should have stopped with them and had a good chat but i regretfully didn't. I stopped in Impruneta at la Barazzina plaza for lunch, then dropping down the hill only to find the road I was meant to take had privado signs and a locked gate. The SP118 then took me up up and up with some great views of where id come. Once reaching the top I stopped for a break and found my self coming down a stony track to a lake where I had coffee then the rain started quickly afterwards, pitched the tent and ignored the privado signs just hoping for the best. I'm tucked away but there is house not far away over looking a vineyards bounty of grapes destined to be made in to Chianti wine I imagine. 

Location : 50026 San Casciano in Val di Pesa Florence,

Beautiful Florence

Woke this morning with blue Sky's and strong winds, the decent from the last nights camp was magic wonderful views and reasonable road surface with good cycleways to join the river Arno where it turned to gravel cycleway, but good all the same. Coming into Florence with a big park on my left. Spent the afternoon wandering the streets and looking for a guide book from here to Rome. Only to find out its not  been published yet. I think the route from Rome to brisindi is even more sketchy from what ive read.
Florence is truly magnificent many tourist wandering about with maps and snapping photos. Stopped to wash my clothes in a laundry and now just enjoying some food in plazza della signoria, pasta of course.   

Location : Piazza della Signoria, 19-red-22-red, 50122 Florence,

Toscana

Woke up this morning to check forecast rain in the afternoon, in the saddle by 9:30 to try and make good time legs feeling tired so no moving fast hope it not Lyme's disease from the tick bites. surely its just nearly 40 days of  cycling. Many ups and downs through the hills rewarded by fantastic view out to prato i think. Rain sure enough came about 1500 when it looked like a good down hill stretch got tent up pronto in acquerino cantagallo national park autumn is here f sure golden leaves blowing over the road.

Location : Via della Cascina, 51037 Montale Pistoia,

Ciclopista del sole

Got a guide book for the cycle route in Balogna but it only  covers the journey as far as florence, hopefully the next guide book is there. Tried to make route for Garmin using BRT but the map of Italy isn't great lots of small roads missing that the guide book mentions, so its a combination of Italian guide book and gps, although the route is low traffic it not the smoothest or the fastest. I have now reached the hills and crossing over to Florence passing lake Suviana into Toscana.

Location : Località Ca' Nova in Ponte, 40030 Grizzana Morandi Bologna,

Balogna

I seem to be ok with the tic bites tired legs but that could be all the cycling right been looking for the cyclopista del sole path it passes in this city so with a bit of luck and a trip to the book shop i should be happily cycling on quite roads again. Suns out and lovely weather. Fixed hole in sleeping mat with some seamseal that came with the mat no instructions so i just put a bit over,the hole no patch so ill see how it holds.

Location : Via de' Pignattari, 2, 40124 Bologna,

Testing times

The roads seem insane cycle paths like the surface of the moon if im lucky enought to find them. I now changing the route to follow cyclopista del sole and hope to find better cycling conditions. Hd freind make route on bikeroutetoaster and send as attchment but the gmail client on my xperia dont seem to have dl attchment.in the end buddie over at http://mye.co hosted gpx file and i downloaded it only to find laptop flat or broken. To add to that the ortlieb sleeping mat has a leak even tho i was careful with it so much for punctureproof and a tic has been living with me for about four days biting me on both ankles. Just noticed scabs on ankles last night and  tic 4-5 scabs so i guess hes been well fed while visiting me. Suns out and warm (^-^)

Location : Strada Pedemontana, 41049 Sassuolo Modena,

Busy roads nice parks

Been cycling on some pretty busy roads getting really tired of trucks roaring passed. Went off the route last night to find camping spot only to be trapped by river railway line and motorway must have cycled 20km outta my way in the interest of not back tracking.

Ive just stopped for coffee break in Reggio nell Emilla lovely park with free wifi but when i tried to sign in i was told my Sim is not acceptable, guess it the uk variety that did it. Oh well

Location : Via Gazzata, 4, 42121 Reggio Emilia RE,

On the road again

After a fantastic 4 day rest in Como while the wet weather passed, I hit the road with the start of the fine weather. That night I cycled on and on, but was unable to find a suitable place to put the tent after clocking up 75km and starting the day at 1500 I thought id better stop at the hotel that was at the end of week four it has been dark for a couple of hours by now and the roads seem dangerous even during daylight There was a good cycleway that lead me into Crema for about 6km.

The sky is blue this morning and looks as if I'm in for a hot day.

Location : Via Luigi Cadorna, 7, 26013 Crema Cremona,

At last

Taking a few days rest before leaving for Rome  I had some rain but its lovely and sunny now enjoying great Italian cuisine and hospitality. Had to repack my front wheel bearing. My bike started making a noise on the Gotthard pass where i just put oil inside and adjusted now running tight and smooth wondering what will happen once i get to Rome and the possibility of carrying on to Brindisi or possibility of going to Grease. South seems the only option with winter coming to northern Europe.

Location : Via del Galletto, 18b, 20020 Cogliate MB,

Metal spaghetti in the lasagna

Thought last night was going to be the night where I got the on the spot fine for stealth camping in Switzerland, with a helicopter circling over head last night and again in this morning.
The mountain hardwear trango 2 ain't the least bit camouflage being orange and grey.
Pushed off about 10:30 after coffee and obligatory hang the fly to dry there is always quite a bit of condensation. I got to lake Maggiore and followed it to the Swiss Italian border. Where I met Andre a Mexican moving to Switzerland with his family we stopped for lunch at what seemed a posh lake side restaurant but when the wine arrived it had cork in it, i didn't mention it, just fished it out but when i found metal wire in the lasagna I had to say something. The waiter brought me a new plate but no discount or free wine. Oh well should have made a bigger fuss. Don't remember the name of the restaurant may be Andre if he reading this will let us know.  Now setting up camp in campo del flors a national park next to a ruined house. Great day, nice weather got the thermals back in the deuter panniers and shorts back on.

Location : Valganna Varese,

Gotthard to the north

The weather was fantastic today set off from Andermatt at about 10:30 with the temp at about one deg it was 12km to the summit and was surprisingly easy. Not the steepest road we have encountered so far the mountains where snow capped and plenty of people giving thumbs up and cheering as they drove by. I stopped at the top and got stove on for coffee. After about a hour it was starting to get cold so started the decent on the cobbled road  now 1853M and still got about another 100M to descend before starting the next climb before making it to Italy. The temperature is  much warmer here. The road broke in to tarmac at Airolo. I stuck to the road all the way. Not  the route bikeroutetoaster had made was more for walkers but if you had a unladen mtb and didn't mind walking some of the way even carrying it over some big rocks, a good man could have done it. Terrific ride some of the best scenery so far.

Location : 6524 Moleno,

Andermatt and chilly

Left the hotel with clean dry clothes and well needed rest cycled  past lake Lucerne where i stopped for coffee, with magnificent views of Buochserhorn 1807m snow capped and just as i sipped back on hot coffee admiring the view the swiss air force came over doing loop da loops in formation they buzzed about for quite a while having all kinds of fun. propeller driven planes on the nose quite big I thought I was at biggin hill watching the red arrows again, finished off the coffee and went through quite a few tunnels great cycle path all the way to Erstfeld where i caught a train to Andermatt 1000m gain in  altitude. The road signs say Gotthard pass open and icy....   great :-P

With snow forecast for tomorrow night and 4deg C temps during the day i think it going to be my last chance to make it over before it to cold sets in. Think ill put the Patagonia thermals on for tomorrows ride along with full length gloves. Ive still got about 600m altitude to climb to summit the pass should be fun the start of week fives map and then on to Italy.

Location : Gotthardstrasse 2-18, 6490 Andermatt,

Snow ice sun and rain

Stopped for a rest today to wash clothes and charge batterys. The weather clearing and i can now see the snow on the alps still many meters to climb looks as if the temperature on the gotthard pass is -1 yeah its cold wonder what the night time temp is. Wednesday the temp is going to rise to 8 deg C so itooks as if that will be the day to cross over to the south side of the bump into Italy. Thinking of getting a train to Andermatt where i will keep a closer eye on the weather got way tomuch kit for such a climb i think Andermatt will give me a good start at 1820m and me being at 440 and the summit at about 2107 it going to save me breaking my self a bit worried about sno and ice on the road wish i could have my mtb for a day or 2.

Location : Müswangerstrasse, 6288 Schongau,

Location : Mattenstrasse, 6343 Risch-Rotkreuz,

Wet wet wet

Swiss rain has been getting the better of us. Tried to find hotel but every thing is booked out. Just found out there on the spot fines for stealth camping in Switzerland. I'm going to have to recycle my clothes tomorrow ugg. Dry in the tent for now.  phone battery getting really flat.

Location : Müswangerstrasse, 6288 Schongau,

Basel and Tinguley

Well we made it to Basel for lunch first stop the Tinguey museum we are hoping to find a laundry, post office here going to send a few things back to England to lighten the load for the impeding hills/mountains that stand in the way to Italy. Had to show my passport to get into Switzerland i guess being neutral means passport control,  although a quick flick through the pages was all that was needed. We passed novartis lab the old sandoz laboratory we one Swiss chemist had the bike ride of life time after playing with a fungus ergot found on rye grass. 

Location : Am Umschlagbahnhof 17, 79576 Weil am Rhein,

Basel here we come

Left the hotel and cycled down the Rhine all day, just  few km from Basel by we found a great swimming place and with the very hot weather we have been having and others swimming  here as well we took the plunge and got wet. The water was fantabulous still here having hot chocolate :-) tomorrow we will make it to Basel, but from what Gary a German we met here says it big and industrial.

Location : 79588 Efringen-Kirchen,

Bike issues.

Woke up on the banks of the Rhine with heavy mist packed up camp only to have a previous puncture start to leak again, where glue didn't hold I ripped off the old patch and put new one on. It stuck really well this time so it should hold for a bit longer.
Further down the river there was major surface repairs going on there was a detour in to town, should have been easy but was unable to get back onto trail.  My bike transmission started to play up chain jumping every so often it was covered in grit, grass and crap needed a good clean stopped in small village to get diesel although we just brought half liter of petrol minimum delivery for diesel was 2ltr so a can of WD40 is what I brought and sat in forecourt to disassemble and clean the transmission after a hour Bernt the mechanic came to see what we where up to he brought his brake cleaning kit out for us to use seemed most amused that i had chain breaker on tour but when he realized how far we had come and going it seemed ok. Top chap even brought out hand cleaner for us before going home to see his wife.  It was getting late by the time i had it all clean and back together so we checked into local hotel "Kreuz Post" where I'm eating one of the best cold breakfasts I've had

Location : Landstraße 1, 79235 Vogtsburg,

Is it a rest day?

After waking up bright and early this morning and on the trail quickly  we only cycled  7km to a wonderful picnic site down the river Rhine where we had pasta and hung the tent out to dry. We both promptly fell asleep on the benches for a good few hours. The suns out and its a absolutely glorious day.

We set off at around 15:00 along the Rhine managed to loose the Rhine cycle path altogether,  but we are still on route to Basel had wonderful views of the swiss hills with the sunset.

Location : Pfarrgässle 7, 79369 Wyhl,

Bloody ticks

Woke up this morning with a bloody tick stuck to my head covered it with washing up liquid to suffocate it and pull the little blighter off hope no limes disease sets in. We then started to travel  down the canal to Strasbourg.  what a wonderful city Strasbourg is, very old streets and the most impressive cathedral we stopped for some real grub at the Grenada i had snitchzal it was gulped down before the veg arrived. They had ran out of ice cream so i got one in a cone by the cathedral.

 Got back on the trail only to fine the gamin was having a few problems. It kept switching off as the map where loading, seems to be  ok now but had me a bit worried. I was convinced it was broken for a while. Now sitting on the Rhine river on the German side having coffee. The day seems to have raced away on us again. Now following the river to Basel and to start the Switzerland accent. So much for a rest day every thing seemed to expensive, even the camping ground which charged extra for bikes.

Location : Kronenhofstraße, 77694 Kehl,

Location : Kronenhofstraße, 77694 Kehl,

Towards Strasbourg

Woke up to a lovely sunny day but noticed the tent had the start of the dreaded mildew on the fly sheet so a quick call to hiking legend puk in new Zealand had us sitting about to 1300 to get it dry he recommended vinegar wipe over followed by baking soda and a good dry. Once on the road we climbed out off mouterhouse to breinstine standing stone where we met 12 cycle tourist from Quebec with a average age of 70 sure hope im still as fit as them when im that kinda age. Great decent through the forest to have lunch in a twee french town attracting attention of the local kids on  bikes. By the end of the day we had reached the Canal de la Marne au Rhin which should take us in to Strasbourg to join the river Rhine.

Location : 67170 Wingersheim,

Mouterhouse campground

We left the cycle way this morning to start climbing more hills through Germany and on to France stopped for lunch at Ligne Maginot the worlds strongest fortress at the start of the second world war the Germans weren't stupid and went around it through Belgium to take Paris the fortress is 700km long and underground. Leaving there after lunch for some more hill climbs legs really feeling it and descending down one hell of a hill to a camp ground by lake very picturesque but not looking forward to the climb out of here in the morning hopefully the tent will catch the morning sun and dry out getting worried about mildew on the flysheet it hasn't had a chance to dry out in days.

Location : Rue Neuhammer, 57620 Mouterhouse,

The river Sarr

The thunder clouds passed by last night and woke up this morning with a dry tent got the coffee on and it started to piss down, tent wet again :-( .

Climbed a few hills to join the river Sarr to sarrbruken great path met plenty of other cyclists some passed us as we turned of and cut through a city to rejoin the cycle path only to realize that we had got in front of them while drinking coffee well done bikeroutetoaster saved us a few kms there. We have now started week 3 off the trip and will leaving the river sarr in the morning covered 70km today, a good day in the saddle.

Location : Elsässer Straße 70, 66271 Kleinblittersdorf,

On we go to Germany

Heavy rain last night but we stayed dry again the fly sheet is now very wet and I'm a bit concerned about tonight with the big black thunder clouds rolling over so it looks like another wet night. Stopped for lunch in Luxembourg city for lunch and to get a spare inner tube found a great bike shop velo center where i also brought  new bottle cage to replace the minora one that broke it made the stove bottle rattle and was starting to annoy me, at only 6 euros I  went for it. The bottle fits nice and snug.

We Left Luxembourg city and passed through vineyard's to then  passed over the river mosslle and enter Germany it was on the route that i planed but still unexpected.  Had a steep accent to the summit where we found a lovely picnic table with one of the best views so far and even a few pear trees. Once again struggled to find a good camping spot so a litle near the road but have a great view of a castle.

Location : 57480 Merschweiller,

Adieu belgique

Set off about lunch time from the campground nice ride through the woods and on to Arlon for lunch where cafe Miami said we couldn't use the toilet so we moved on to a friendly kebab shop where we got a durum chicken wrap from a very friendly man and a Brazilian couple wanted to take a photo off us. They told us about there cycling  trip around a few pacific islands and of a  pub in town that had over 50 Belgian beers down stairs in  cave sounded great but we didn't make it there. Pushed off to Luxembourg where we are now, found a number of outside taps for water but none of them worked :-( one friendly man gave us water including 2 bottles of spring water. We followed a traffic free cycle route it had very good surface but we struggled to find a place to camp. We are here now just off cycle path in industrial area.

Thank god the stove works now. Back on the unleaded petrol. Phew

Location : Rue de Strassen, Strassen,

No rest for the wicked

Quite heavy rain last night stayed dry which is the best thing, set off about 10am did 1.8km before we found a basic rual camp ground "a la ferme" so it looks as if we are going to get the intened rest day after all. very helpfull owners gave us fuel for the stove and full service wash of the cothes all for 11.25 including camping. unfortunately i think we go leaded petrol and the stove didnt like it. So after going to town 3.5 km away for food i had to cycle back to get white spirit totaling 14 km. Then had to service stove with new jet and nozzle luckily i had the exepedition service kit with all the  spares. Now cooking pasta on  sightly yellow flame always used unleaded petrol in the stove just glad to be having somthing hot in a few minutes.  Not feeling that rested after the hilly road to town and the stress of the stove.  But at least its been sunnie all day and clean clothes for the ride to luxemborg.

Location : Rue de la Mande Brat 15-20, 6860 Léglise,

Location : Rue de la Grotte, 6860 Léglise,

Sunday bloody sunday

Well we pushed off as the sun came out only for showers for the next few hours got back on the route to climb up hill only for angelia to point out that the we where going back to the start doh. Silly me O:-)  back up the otherside of the valley no shops or petrol so it looks like the last of the bread and cheese is comming out for dinner. Luckily we found a vending machine where i brought mars and coke got the sugar/caffeine  content back up. For all the good it did we found a place to camp in the same woods as the supposed camp ground just a little futher round. Wondering if we could get a indian deivered to here wouldnt that be magic but i aint seen any indians let alone a restaurant so its unlikly boo hoo must have good meal and rest soon we are both cream cracked.

Location : Léglise, 6860 Léglise,

Location : Léglise, 6860 Léglise,

The promised land

This is My Current GPS Position:
Latitude: 49.745081
Longitude: 5.498832

Checked the forcast last night the forcast was afternoon rain so a early start to get to a unamed camp ground for a rest day. Should have realized that unnamed tent marker on the map wasnt 100% certian but we need a rest and wash our clothes
When the gps said follow a dirt track into the forest the liklyhood of a camp ground was unlikly but it could have been a short cut right. It was only 2km off the tarmac we had nothing to loose steep muddy track led us to a lake with a covered picnic table great place to camp but not a camping ground with hot showers and laundry in such a rush to escape the pending rain, i failed pick up any supplies including petrol for the msr wisperlite stove.now just having bread and cheese for lunch. The next camping is a good few miles away and prob not going to happen for a few days. Nice place to stop for a rest if we had all we all we need just about to push off to find food/water and shelter.

Up up and away

This is My Current GPS Position:

Latitude: 50.014010

Longitude: 5.187872

Woke up this morning to the sound of chainsaws and lumber jacks. Seems we where camping in working forest shame really hope the wood was going to make furniture and not firewood. Theres huge stacks of firewood in peoples gardens it must get bloody cold here in winter. Stopped for lunch in in wellin had no idea what i had ordered and when trout arrived i was pleased, it was amazing with bacon and cream sauce followed by coffee ice cream. Pulling out of town for some more hill action and through some splendid country side. Very leafy hillsides and freindly people.

It was my turn for  a punture today a certian bike shop in bristol hadent fitted the tube correctly, the valve ripped away from tube had spare tube so back on the road quickly altho it went flat so quick i fell of the bike again into the road. Just getting used to the shoes and clips. I like them alot but so many years of toe clips that i forget to twist my foot in a emergency.

Camping in a nice wooded area and even seen a wild bore but ran of before i could grab my knife errr camera. Only did 30km today but stayed up to 3am last night having a fire in remembrance of my mum who passed away a few days ago in new Zealand. Time to hit the hay for  early start and its nice to just lay down oh my tired body.

Location : Rue de Jehonville, 6890 Libin,

Location : Rue de Jehonville, 6890 Libin,

Hilly me come hilly me go

This is My Current GPS Position:
Latitude: 50.124633
Longitude: 4.919301

Over stayed the guest house get out time by one hour the luxury of  bed and view was irresistible. Breakfast was superb best bread ive had for a while. Pushing our way up hill away from walcourt for a onslaught of hills great views of the valleys had to change the route slightly as the road turned way to big and busy. Around phippville so we went into town and hd a great ice cream my teeth wouldnt allow me to get another beigium cake :-*  picked up supplies in Givet and made coffee on the river Muse. Lovely town quint little streets i even fell of my bike trying to turn around people rushed over to see if i was ok. More embarrassed than hurt if i could only speek french i feel more comfortable but getting by, wish i had a phrase book. i know ive be banged in the English box again. Now having pasta and beans next to army site in wood sourounded by razor wire.

Wifi and rain issues

This is My Current GPS Position:

Latitude: 50.251945

Longitude: 4.431883

The rain stoped yesterday morning enough for us to make coffee and pack the tent. Mananged to keep ahead of the rain most of the day but by the time we got to Walcot it caught us up. Took shelter in bar and had a coffee found hotel with fantastic view of church at 55euro a night it blew the daily budget but it had free wifi and breakfast. As soon as i started to make geo tagged photo map it went down and has been intermittent ever since. So map still comming. A good few photos didnt geotag correctly im unsure why job for another day with stable connection. Just had breakfast and checked todays ride plan looks like a senic jaunt across the hills. Nothing to extreme just a fair amount of up and down. Heres a pic from the hotel more of a guest house really but beautiful all the same. 



Location : Address not available

Rain rain go away.

This is My Current GPS Position:

Latitude: 50.425031

Longitude: 4.172151

Heavy rain last night took shelter in the woods and more rain this morning, had  lunch in the bus stop shelter. Got soaked right through started heading for hotel in Binche but when we arrived thers no hotel, just heavy rain pitched  tent pretty quickley after not finding a hotel. Really need to charge my phone and power monkey battery. Every thing dry except the tent. I wonder how much weight im carrying with the dew and rain water on the tent fly. Bike feeling really good. Just brought tiger balm for the knees we both feeling it. im riding fully loaded need to cut weight at some point. Cycled along a very good canal path around mons massive barges carry 900 tons alzo fully loaded.


Location : Rue des Mineurs 22, 7134 Binche,

Back in the saddle.

This is My Current GPS Position:
Latitude: 50.489181
Longitude: 3.813914

A few busy roads to negotiate today after stormed cleared, that passed last night. Stopped for lunch in beloeil and sampled some of the exquisite sweets of beligium, after fresh pasta by a quiant fountain. We Set off mid day and did 40km. Camping in the woods with plenty of mozzies just ducked in to escape the bites.

Ran the garmin from the power monkey afted a full charge at the camping ground, it only consumed 25% all day but i topped it up while stopped for lunch via solar. it would really handy 2 powermoney batterys. The jurys still out on the cheeper unit anint been of any use so far but i think getting wet was a no no.

My location

Date: 6/9/2010

Address:
Rue de l'Orient 42-46
7500 Tournai
Belgium

Latitude:   50.60045224
Longitude: 3.41315216

Accuracy: 4m

http://www.google.com/maps?q=50.60045224,3.41315216

It looks as if we are in for thunder and lightining tonight, wondering how waterproof the mountain hardware trango 2 tent is.

Rest day.

We moved from the cannel side to a camping ground to day and washed our clothes only 3km today but a rest is needed. We re greased the front and rear wheel bearings of the dawes bike. The grease was old and hard also the wheel bearing was loose. It goes to show you should alwa do the work on your bike your self. After my bike having to go back to the bike shop to come up to standard and the other mechanic having a cursory look and using wrong size tube for tire causing pinch flat. I highly reccomend learning to fix your own bike before going on tour.

It looks like rain tommorow or this evening so could be testing the waterproofness of our euipment ugg.

Just stopping for some real cooked food to power us on our way in the morning.

Location : Rue des Campeaux 2-4, 7500 Tournai,

My GPS Position

This is My Current GPS Position:
Latitude: 50.824842
Longitude: 2.230661

Sunday in lille

This is My Current GPS Position:
Latitude: 50.595183
Longitude: 3.412480

Setting off with hopes to get through lille in good time for a early night and rest body just getting right in the saddle. But as we hit lille there was a very big market / fesitval  blocking our route,having to navigate around a one way system and the market. Ended up pushing our bike through the crouds and getting the worst burger that i ever seen the meat was raw inside Busy day in lille market slowed us down a bit like quite  bit and the wether turnwd out food and we pushed on feeling good to tournai and camped in town by the cannal

Day 2 france beligum and france again

This is My Current GPS Position:
Latitude: 50.690636
Longitude: 2.897405

After a nice early start we found one of the bikes had a puncture after fixing that we got off by about 11 o'clock. We stopped a good few times to take in vistas and supplies. We stopped in Cassel for lunch taking in a splendid views from the top of the hill where we brought a nice bit of local pear and apple juice. Thought we had a good camping spot sorted via osm map on the gps but we we arrived it was a petting zoo for kids around a lake not what we expected. Cycled about for a hour more to pitch up in a park, it was outta the way and secluded for a city like Lille.

Hey we made it..

This is My Current GPS Position:
Latitude: 50.824873
Longitude: 2.230758

We went to Canterbury cathedral  to gef our book stamped and found our names announced over speakers as pilgims at the 530 service. Amazing organ playing ans everything.

Thanks to Gray dropping us of  at the euro tunnel pick up point for cyclist at a 7.45  and a speedy boarding on the train ment we where in France for 7.55 uk time for a early start after making coffee while the other cyclist while going for bannans and power bars. Norman the driver was a great  chap  every knew him by first name from the first booth to inside the train. Nice ride today coupe of hills nothing serious . Pasta and croissants buy a lake.

The journey begins.

Here we are on a beautiful autum day just on the out skirts of Canterbury getting ready to see the cathedral and city walls, its been 14 years since I lived in Canterbury and im wondering what faces I may see on the high street or even more interesting is in the cherry tree public house. where I spent many a drunken night either working or drinking.  Tomorrow we are taking the euro tunnel  and start the journey to Rome if the old  addage is correct "all roads lead to Rome" I shouldn't need to worry about the maps on the gps or the route we should get there in the end.

Location : Address not available

Location : Fox's Cross Rd, Canterbury, Kent CT5 3,

Solar Chargers.. Does price matter?

I brought two different solar changers, the power monkey explorer and a Chinese made one at 11.95 off ebay and claims to have a bigger battery than the Powermonkey by 400mAH. I was impressed how long the powermonkey kept my Sony Ericsson Xperia smart phone alive when it fully charged but I tried to recharge the battery in the sun and its taken a long time to get fuly charged admittedly it been raining and cloudy but the days are still quite long. I would think it would take one whole day of blistering sun to fully charge the battery.

While charging the units outside I forgot about them and they stayed out over night in heavy rain both units had misted up by the morning and the led torch on the cheeper unit was always on. both seem to be working corectly now but its only been a day since they dryed out. I hoping that these two units will keep my Xperia and the Garmin alive. through out the journey.

above Chinese Solar Charger
below PowerMonkey Explorer

The PowerMonkey is by far the most expensive and has a better construction but will the smaller battery life be noticed does the other unit have enough solar area for a battery of that size...

The manual says that 6 hours is enough to charge the power monkey, well we will see certainly not when it raining in england.


Stayed tuned to see how they both preform in the field..