EU Pics

                        

Preston

Cycled to Preston today to inquire about bikes, Paul Hewitt offer some nice frames so going back tomorrow to get sized up when Paul is there, a bit concerned by the growing price of restarting this trip and need to find an additional supply of funds over the next few weeks or at least guarantee work  for when i return.

Really looking for courier work, or a bike shop job, whilst I look into PHD options.

Once I’m on the road funds will be available and food is cheep in the USA so I’m not worried but i just don’t like not having a safety net.

Deiced i cant afford the trip so going to get a fixie and build bikes up over the next year whilst i get ready for next trip

Still 60 miles today, hopefully more tomorrow. some city riding in the evening I think.

Regards

Looking ahead.

Not always a good thing, I was in my own little worlds, riding down the prom, then, side swiped from the left (seaside) on approach to a crossing. This is when I realized that the side road i ignored, like the 20 others because there just slip ways to the beach, was actually a cross road and the crossing, i was casually rolling toward, was actually the far side of this cross road.

Because i was rolling slow and the car had seen me I got a slight bumb and balanced it out, it will teach me to pay attention a little more on familiar roads. oh well.

So looking ahead, gonna sort a Halifax clarity card out this week and a new bike thess where the things playing on my mind as this happened and as plans develop I’m looking more and more toward setting off on my next trip.

On a side note since i lost my helmet (literally, think i left it in London) no one nods or acknowledges me as a comrade of 2 wheels they all just blindly ride on. That said the majority of bikes out today were polished new roadies and riders in the best lycra, out for the sun not for the bike. I think this may be a bigger factor.

Going to Preston tomorrow to look for a new touring bike so that i cn get back out there ASAP and not worry about a dip in fitness.

Regards

Failed…

So back in England the day after a retreat from Switzerland. Issues started to arise in Luxembourg progressed and got worse everyday, either myself or Owen broke at least one spoke every 30 miles, which suggested that there is seemed a fundamental flaw with the kit setup. Each spoke breaking lead us to believe that the bikes were over loaded towards the rear. The option was presented to either build a new wheel and make another 500 miles before a repeat of the symptoms presented or abort now while we are able, saving time and money making a retry more probable.

So 24 hours ago I was swerving threw traffic in London less than 36 hours ago i was exploring Paris (did a lap or the arch d’triumph for one lol) and less than 48 hours ago i was looking on a Swiss mountain road. I have seen so much yet the failure to meet an arbitrary goal has dulled it all. Looks like I’m building 2 bikes this summer instead.

Planning to make a single speed road bike and touring bike then save money and do america coast to coast.

Will write more in a day or two when I’m less glum

France via Germany

Well Germany came and went. Firstly, we rode the last half of luxembourg’s boarder; then,found an awesome village (had lunch and ice cream); next, went to Saarbruken for dinner (free cheese cake twice XD, will never turn down free cake) and, finally, rode to france. All in all a full day.
Regards

Luxembourg

Since the last blog post on the ferry we have successfully navigated Belgium and are just across the boarder into luxembourg. Most of the journey this far has gone well, though all the rave about eu cycle paths is over blown, and bike and people seem strong… Ish

My pannier rack snapped a bolt again the day before last but this time I was prepared and using my thread extractor a bike shop had it fixed in less than 2 hours. Owen has had the first puncture of the trip and my gears got jammed but all is fixed now… If my pannier breaks again gonna find a smith and weld it in place.

Making good progress 50-70 miles a day even with the bad weather, so far the best weather has been england.

Camping has been hugely successful so far and have woken each morning rested

Regards