So civilized. Slots on the train in England and on the Irish rail for me bike. No struggle just wheel it in. These things make me happy. … [Read more...] about This Makes Me Happy
About Me
Going Off Grid
A New Journey Begins A promise is a promise. In my mom's final days she asked me to continue to look after her Irish lock-keepers cottage on the Irish Royal Canal. And so I try to do what I can afford. A friend, named Chip, is a lover of old buildings and quite handy with repairs. Seems that his highlight of each year is to spend time in the cottage and help bring it back to its former self. And so.......my bike journey is nearly over for the time being. After train, ship, train and bike ride I arrive back at Frances' Cottage on the Royal Canal. No Electric, no running water but filled with the dreams and passion of a great woman. My mom, Frances Kelly, bought it in derelict state … [Read more...] about Going Off Grid
Keep Calm Eat Chocolate And Carry On
Some days I feel like I can do this. Other days or part of a day I feel like I should be home lying on the coach. Today was hard and I doubted my ability to tour on a bike. Route 5 from Chester to Conway was really hard for me at times. Once again they picked some outstanding scenic paths. I pushed my bike up grades that should be illegal. I wanted to cry . It started to rain and then I met a local walker that helped put a smile back on my face. i dropped back to the coast and rode a windy gravel road then back on a main road. I tried to ride the sometimes sidewalk covered with glass and degree resulting in yet another flat. Back to the coastal road again passing through areas … [Read more...] about Keep Calm Eat Chocolate And Carry On
Lovin The Bike Route 45 To Chester
British bike routes are awesome. Signage is excellent, well most of the time. I travelled roads where I saw an occasional tractor and rarely a car. A women directed me down what she called "cow poo lane" and that's what most of the roads on the route have smelt like. The two foot patch of grass down the middle of the road makes me realize so many of these lanes are rarely used. I can't say how far I go each day since the route winds in one direction then the other. Then it seems to loop around in a random way but the scenery is spectacular. Yesterday I ignored the bike route and tried to find my way on quiet roads that seemed to be in a fairly straight line. I seemed to move further … [Read more...] about Lovin The Bike Route 45 To Chester
An Now I’m Near Ludlow
A few days have past since I became acquainted with my new ride. I spent two wonderful days following Englands bike route 41 and route 45. The scenery was spectacular and the route took me on incredible back roads and lanes and canal paths. After picking up the bike the first night was at Burnham on the Sea with a total mileage of only 13 or so miles. I stayed at a typical campground that's just a grass field. Next night I found myself in Berkeley with a slow leaking tube and met a wonderful family at the village pub. They invited me to stay in their field, fed me dinner and breakfast. Thank you very much. I probably did fifty or so miles. Found myself near the town of … [Read more...] about An Now I’m Near Ludlow
A New Journey Begins
Almost one year to this day I retired. Well, retired from my full time work as it is possible I may continue to teach snowboarding and work at a ski resort during the winter. Business attire is no longer part of my wardrobe. It's been a great first year of retirement. A few days after retirement I hopped on a plane bound for Kathmandu. So there was some biking and hiking in Nepal as well as a Tibetan cycle journey to Everest base camp. After a winter of working at a ski resort and living in a cabin without running water I headed to the west coast. I made a mostly rainy bike trip from Seattle to the Mexican boarder. After a month or two of house cleaning and … [Read more...] about A New Journey Begins
Where Am I And What Day Is It
Norwegian Air from Stuart airport to Dublin. Another flight to Bristol England then a bus to the Bristol Hostel. I am tired so tired but searched out a great bookshop to purchase a more detailed bike map. Tomorrow is a train ride to Bridgwater and on to Thorn Cycles. And there the adventure begins. Tired and nervous. … [Read more...] about Where Am I And What Day Is It
All My Bags Are Packed
All My Bags Are Packed.... I'm ready to go. Going light....I think. What I don't have I will buy on the road. For the first time in my life I'm going to try wheelie luggage. Usually you would see me flying with my thirty year old Lowe Alpine Systems internal pack. Luckily I crammed just about everything into a suitcase. I only paid a few bucks for it at a second hand shop so I don't mind leaving it behind in a Bridgwater England. I certainly don't want to leave behind my LAS backpack when I pick up my bike. So I pick up my new bike at Thorn Cycles, load up the panniers and head towards a Dublin bound ferry. I don't really know where I will be after my first night of camping. … [Read more...] about All My Bags Are Packed
About The New Ride
I drive a Hyundai with a resale value less than the cost of the bike. Most of my belongings were purchased at a second hand shop. I don't do Starbucks. I'm frugal; some say I'm cheap. Today I'm thinking about the splurge as the Raven that awaits my arrival. A hundred dollar Atala was good enough for cycling across the USA. I was 21 then; now I'm early sixties. Though the Thorn Raven has the stamina to carry me around the world my goals and dreams are less lofty now. In my twenties I was strong but lacked the confidence. Now I have greater confidence but not nearly as strong. Perhaps I overbought on the bike. I want it to be up to the challenge of whatever dreams I may have. … [Read more...] about About The New Ride
The Bike Is My Therapy
The bike and chololate can cure most things for me. Stacking wood for a few hours is also quite helpful. Although I am overwhelmed with the details of the entire trip I realize I need to focus just on the first couple of days for now. And so I count the days till departure and try to tie up loose ends. … [Read more...] about The Bike Is My Therapy