September 25, 2009
Trondheim, Norway
The last few days I’ve been in Trondheim, Norway visiting some friends and family before I set off on my little trans-Europe adventure and there is something here that I want to show you all.
Unbelievably – or perhaps rather believably (and incredibly scandi-civilized) – they have installed a bicycle lift for one of the hills in central Trondheim.
No – I shit you not. Basically it operates something like an escalator. You position youself next to the track, put your right foot on the elevator platform, you left foot stays on your bike and off you go. You don’t exactly zip up the hill at an impressive speed, but nevertheless, you do get to the top without breaking a sweat.
However, I am told that the lift is a necessity as it is almost impossible to ride up this hill in the winter…even with studded bike tires! (Yes, I can assure you it’s true – they use studded bike tires and cycle through the winter!)
The operating instructions and lift at the bottom of the hill
The lifts operating instructions
The bike lift and formidable hill...hehe
Bike lift in action...
September 16, 2009
I’ve been giving a lot of thought to my route and which direction I’ll be heading. Bearing in mind I will be setting off through Europe during the late fall and moving into winter, my main goal is to try and avoid a very chilly winter in eastern Europe and try to hug the Med coast as much as possible.
At the moment I think I will be heading down the French coast – take in some sights of special interest along the way – until I get to Bordeaux. From there, the journey will cut inland along the Canal du Garonne, connecting with the Cana du Midi and dumping me nicely into Narbonne on the French Rivierra.
From here I intend to work my way west along the coast, cutting across Northern Italy (and will try to avoid mountains – if you’ve been there please let me know if this is going to be possible, the avoiding mountains bit, not to keen on camping in the snow!), Slovenia, and into Croatia. I’ll head into Zagreb for Christmas and New Years and bunker down with my family there, have a hot meal, put some fat on the bones and sleep in a bed!
I’m not sure what route I will take from there….either continental through Bosnia, Serbia, and straight on till Turkey (as the crow flies as much as possible), or…if it’s bloody freezing there at that time, I’ll hug the coast and take the long way through Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Greece and then Istanbul.
We’ll. The plans can change, I don’t have any obligations to be anywhere…so let’s see what happens!
Below is my proposed route. Feel free to comment if you have any suggestions on this – I need all the help I can get!
View Proposed Route – Brighton to Istanbul in a larger map
September 16, 2009
There is something very cleansing about selling your possessions. It starts with the thought, ‘I need to get rid of some of my things…’ but quickly escalates to the complete purging of all material goods!
How often I picked up a book, or my prized blender thinking…no no, I won’t get rid of this….too much sentimental value, or too expensive to replace. Then give it a day or two and it’s gone with all the rest of my crap.
The thing is, everything in my life is replaceable, except for family and friends.
What I’ve really learnt through this exercise of major downsizing is that you aren’t your possessions. Ok, I know that sounds cliche, but until you go through the process of release I don’t think it’s possible to experience complete freedom of material goods…
hehe…as I write this, I realise how much I’ve just spent on a brand new touring bicycle, camping gear, and other kit and accessories I will need for my trip…the idiot is a hypocrite…
September 12, 2009
It’s a sad day…well…mixed emotions really. I’ve decided that there is only space in my life for one special lady, and as my newest mail order bride is on her way here, I will have to sell the other to the highest bidder!
It is with heartfealt sadness that I listed my lovely Trek 1200 road bike for sale on ebay today. I thought about selling her privately, but just couldn’t bear the thought of putting a fixed price on her, so I have started the auction at 99p and will let the gods decide.
My old Trek 1200
In the meantime I am waiting for the arrival of my new mail order bride…a Surly Long Haul Trucker. She is currently in transit and I look forward to welcoming her to my happy home later this month. I’m sure we will have a happy life together…normally I don’t seek long term relationships on an internet based service…but she just met all the right specs and had uploaded a great picture of herself!
Surly Long Haul Trucker - she's on her way to me now!
