Originally Posted by
PedalingWalrus
If You do not currently have a bike then I wonder whether it isn't too much planning to buy a bike and go on a tour while flying to Europe. There seem to be way too many variables for a $1000 + purchase.
What if You hate it on the second day and want nothing to do with biking? Are you going to take that loss?
Thanks PW. Good question, but I'm not a stranger to cycling. I've been riding for years, have done six centuries, and a charity ride from SF-LA. Right now I have two bikes-- a carbon road bike, and a front suspension mountain bike-- but haven't been riding them enough lately. That's actually a big driver for doing this tour-- jumping into the water so I
have to swim.
I expect the first week may be a challenge, but I'm not in a rush. I'll be on flat roads, and can do light miles while riding myself into shape. That strategy worked two years ago, when I walked across Spain without training (and that journey
started with a climb over the Pyrenees!
