I once read that the planning and preparation – and anticipation – of a vacation can be more fulfilling than the vacation itself. When I heard this my reaction ‘yes’. I like the online searching and booking of travel and accommodation, creating lists, shopping for bike parts and maybe even clothes. I think there needs to be a caveat that this holds true until the last minute. I’m now in the process of packing and building a cardboard box that will keep my bike safe for the only flight of our journey (it will be recycled at the Halifax airport).
Penny and I did a couple laps of the Gatineau Parkways today to build a bit of confidence for what we’re to face on ‘Day 2’ of our trip. I have enjoyed these outings and we intend to continue the ritual when we return. It’s a great way to start the day on the weekend; and rewards in Old Chelsea don’t hurt. We discovered that Penny’s rear sprockets needed replacing and were very grateful that Tall Tree Cycles had the parts we needed.
Yes Tino, we still hear the snickers of the ‘real cyclists’ (until we pass them on the next climb). We’ve had one person say ‘well that’s embarrassing’ after we passed them on the Fortune climb. Of course I get no satisfaction from that (not).
We also discovered that we’re not alone in our Brompton training. For the third time we’ve run into this family of four, two on Bromptons and the kids on folding bikes from a small Toronto company. They’re training for a summer trip in Italy starting in the Dolomites and going to Venice. Kindred spirits.
Stay tuned as we begin our adventure with a ride from Halifax airport to our BnB via the Halifax ferry.