It's easy to imagine myself as a grand seniora in my country villa this afternoon. I've just finished biking a very hilly Spanish countryside, with very little traffic, forested and only a few cyclists from guess where???? Surprise, surprise Clarkston, Wa , Lewiston I'd and two from Anchorage Alaska.

We biked 61 k fron Figueres today. It was a beautiful ride over rolling steadily rising elevation. Mostly country lanes with very little traffic.

Figueres was a layover day and offered many sights. This is where David lives so he offered a great extra ride yesterday towards the foothills of the Pyrenees, some old ruins and a beautiful secluded waterfall. After our ride most of the group toured the Salvadore Dali museum, full of interesting and strange things . I spent the afternoon shopping and going to the other art museum in off the city square. I saw a wonderful showing of the Spanish painter Maria Vil???.  We had a wonderful meal with fish, the owner brought us a plate of fish caught that day... hmmm, Ill have that one, yummy.

A Hotel by the sea

Geronimo to Toss a de Mar

We had a fun ride today through fields and countryside. We navigated around abouts at every intersection. They work like a charm. Not much climbing until the last15 k. We had a long assent over the coastal mountain, then a long glorious ride to the sea. OMG beautiful!! We ride into the city of Toss a and our hotel is very cool. Old, looks like turn of the century house, with a parlor, long staircase, patios and Windows to the sea. 

We shop, drink sangria and figure out dinner. First the dip in the Mediterranean Sea!!! Truly heavenly. What fun. My room mate for this trip will be Anita. She's quiet (except for brief periods of swearing at herself) very organized, keeper of all the extra bike stuff, takes the best pictures and manages to get the best pics on Facebook! Thanks Anita.

Mediterranean beach

Marika, Mike, Rita and Kelly

Hotel Diana

Anita, the Facebook wiz!

Catalonia and Costa Brava tour begins

Yorgos and David explain the details of our tour

Our tour began today after our train ride, what a clean efficient train system.  We could learn a lot about efficient high speed rail from Europe. Half an hour to Gerona from Barcelona.

Yorgos meets us and we all walk to our hotel. We have to wait abit to check in but Anita and I go off up the streets of Gerona, and I do mean up!!! Ancient steps all leading to the Cathedral. Gardens, small shops with elegant n t fashionable clothing etc. Little outdoor cafes, even book shops...only Spanish of course. Maybe Ill have to get one for Ellie

Walking up the city streets of Gerona

We're not in Lewiston, guys!!!

Pouring rain. Thank God we're not biking today!

Shared Familia, Barcelona

Barcelona: We arrived safe and sound, minus Anitas bag that didn't make the connection, but should arrive tonight. We've spent the last few days exploring the city on foot and via the metro. What a contrast from Paris, let alone Lewiston. Barcelona, a truly old gothic city. Huge old buildings, decorated iron railings and colored shutters everywhere. People crammed everywhere. All cultures all ages, all walking. The streets seem to go in every direction. Thankfully our group is blessed with two great trip trackers. Anita strides off, determined and confident. Managing the confusion like a native. Lori h a s her map and a bit slower but just as aware.

Barcelona Last Rambles market

 Our apt is perfect for a large group. There are three bedrooms, two full baths, a kitchen and sitting room. It's very clean and situated perfectly. We're walking distance to most of the attractions, the metro and small grocery shops. Everyone slept great, despite Marika waking up at 1 am, showering and wondering why no one else was up. Anita bluntly informed her to go back to bed!!!!
We celebrated Helens birthday today at a great little family restaurant, we all sampled the traditional Spanish menu with help from our waiter. The meals where wonderful, including a beautiful banana chocolate cake for all. I was unable to include pictures today, but will include them later.

Happy birthday Helen!! Thanks for putting this all together.

A fat tire ride around Versilles

    Versailles bike tour. Sorry this is not very finished blog. It's hard to navigate pictures around the text. My story is after the pictures. I'm off to Mass this AM at Notre Dame. 

The Hall of mirrors

Linda in Marie's garden estate

Palace

Palace gardens

Marie's play village

Meeting place , getting fitted with for our bikes

Friday: We navigated by motocross the Champ Dr Mars field in front of the Eifell tower to the Fat tire Bike office. It was a lovely walk. We joined a group of 20 from mostly the U.S.. Our tour guide, I can't remember his name ( very cute, history major) Onto the Versilles train, about 30 minutes to Versilles. It was perfect day! Our bikes where big and clunky, about 50 lbs, but really functional on all the cobblestones and hard dirt roads. We now made our way to the market, wow. Huge market, managed a snack of banana, nutella crepe and bought our lunch. Helen and I picked a baguette sandwich fruit, coke, and managed to get back to the square, then off to the palace. We had a short ride but OMG are there ever a lot of tour buses, but our super kiwi guide had all his charges in line.

We first visited the pastures, fields and Marie Antoinettes country village. She was only 14 when she married Louis, and an awful life, really. She came to the village to play being a peasant. The excess was unbelievable. The King spent billions in today's money building the palace and grounds over 40 yrs. (Louis the 14..or the Sun King? Remember we had a history major) After our visit to the village....like 16 century Disneyland.We ride to the canals and had lunch. We only rode about 12 k but what a fun ride.
 We finish off with a tour on our own (easily done with an audio guide) We probably wandered all together for 3 hrs in palace and grounds. The story of this family of royalty, a bit of American history ( remember the John Adams series, Corrie) and of course the French revolution, ( Tale of Two cities and Les Miserables tells it all... We heard the grisly details of Marie Antoinette and her son's death... awful)

Helen and I navigated home exhausted. I love Paris, especially at night. Tomorrow the Louvre!

I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane...at 4am

Will it all fit??

I'm leaving on a Jet Plane... the tune is running through my brain all day.  Yes, I'm finally going on my Spain adventure.  My plane will be out of Lewiston, to Seattle then off to Paris.  It will be nice to have a direct flight from Seattle but it will be a 6 hr. layover  followed by a long over night flight. 

I'll be met by a dear friend in Paris who will then be our guide as we spend our 5 days having fun in Paris.

So, I'm looking at my bag that is bulging and hard to zip!  Oh Lord what happens if I want to bring a few things home. I go through my list again, take out a few things and try to zip again.  A bit better, but still awful tight.  There are lots of lists out there and Rick Steve's books are the best.  He emphasizes keeping the bag wt less then 20lb. and my bag just makes it to 20 lbs. so I guess I'm ok.  My friend who is a frequent overseas traveler gave me a list to use.  She had some great suggestions that I've added to my list, such as a blister kit, a gallon bag for trash and a few snacks for the long flight, tissues for everything, and a lot of enthusiasm! 

I've had so many warnings about pick pockets and I'm a bit anxious about this one!!  My money belt will be on me always and only a few bills in my bag.  I'll take my small back pack as a bag and other then that I guess it will just have to use my karate if I need to.   I keep putting things in and taking them out,  but at 4 am I'm out of here, regardless!  Au revoir  mes amis!

A Bon Voyage dinner for our Spanish Tour

The evening was perfect for a late summer Bon Voyage feast. Marika and Betsy welcomed our group of bicycle adventurers along with some of our spouses, who will be keeping the home fire going. The pot luck dinner was delicious, including homemade chocolate zucchini cake and ice cream. I felt like I was on a European patio, not Lewiston ID, as we toasted our adventure. Betsy treated us to a bicycling themed sing a long, as she played her guitar and we even had to play the kazoo with her. It was a wonderful evening with friends. I'm sure well have great adventures to tell.

Another bike trip planned

It s only 10 days until I leave for another bike trip. This time Ill be with several friends from the valley and well be touring Spain's CostA Brava.  We'll start Oct 1 and finish Oct 12.  We're touring with the same guide we had in Greece in 2009. 

Helen and I will spend a few days in Paris for a warm up and finish the tour with 10 days in Italy. It will be quite the adventure. I can't believe all the planning involved but I'm sure it will all be worth it. I'm going to keep in touch with family and friends with Skype and this blog, so stay in touch and keep an eye on this blog.

Ugly Shirt Ride 2014

Ugly Shirt Ride 2014

The Ugly Shirt ride is always a fun ride. The day was beautiful.  Spring in all it's glory.
A new rider Tammy joined us.  This was her first ride on her new hybrid Specialized bike.  The main group headed up to Buffalo Eddy as Tammy and I spent our time playing with gearing and riding the bridges. The Ugly Shirt award will have to go to Roger Staats.  It was really a toss up between Tracy and Roger but as Nikki wanted Tracy to give Mike her shirt when she was done with it, that leaves only Rogers vintage Hawaiian shirt as the shirt no one would want.

I was dealing with the coming and going of Kidney Stones but no sign of problems during the ride. There where several stories about kidney stones and everyone had a lot of sympathy for me.  Hopefully, everything will come through this weekend so I can enjoy the gorgeous spring weather..