Now we are enjoying travelling through Iberia with you

Thanks so much for taking us along with you! And thanks for all of the great information for regions we haven’t tested out yet. Looking forward to joining you again next time.

I am sure we will keep exploring hopefully on bikes

Have you left the bikes this time with Louise?

In a recent blog entry (which I can no longer find), someone recorded meeting a couple that planned to cycle until 90. On that scale, you still have more trips in your tank! Can I ask (with quite a bit of self interest) what factors are now making you foreshadow an end to long tours? In the photos you look great, and very strong but then Ken is seldom pictured. Could it be e-bike time for him? I hope you'll forgive me prying. ---Steve

p.s. One issue we are increasingly finding is that with the cropping up of inevitable but not incapacitating medical issues, the cost of medical insurance is skyrocketing. And at some age, some companies will not sell it at all.

Thanks for a great journal! When I grow up I want to be just like you both: active, curious and ambitious. I hope you find a way to keep exploring!!

Thank you Suzanne we have really felt your support over this trip especially after I fell and hurt my leg. it has been a wonderful journey. I do hope we will be be back to Europe to ride again but maybe something not as ambitious
Tricia

Thank you Kathleen we have enjoyed every bit of it and consider ourselves so lucky. I do hope we get another tour even a much shorter one but time will tell

Maybe your last, maybe not. Who knows... Maybe some shorter ones? This has been a wonderful tour full of adventures, I've enjoyed your journal and pictures so much!

30k KMs in Europe! Congrats. I've so enjoyed following you two. And being able to see Tractors Of Europe has been a special treat.

Thanks Ann, I remember how special it felt when we got to the Adriatic - hope the weather looks up for you. We have just converted from Cycle tourists to tourists. Felt strange today to get on a train without bikes at Moret where our niece lives and the bikes now are. It’s raining in paris

Hi Tricia, appreciated your comment on reaching the Adriatic. Even in stinging rain, it looked special. Then to swim again in its blue waters is lovely.
Just coping with the “ winding down “ feeling. Still have to get to Venice, and weather forecast is grey, but that’s the game. You have done such a big ride, and so well! Hope Paris is rewarding and your homeward journey goes smoothly. Va bene, Ann

Yes it certainly paid off having chosen a bike with a derailer thouuh Ken
Was a bit concerned about the disc brakes but on the pain of death I didn’t touch them and there was no trouble. The tyre was completely worn and had a small split in it after 5000km and this had been the only pucture. We are now in Paris without bikes and wondering if we have done our last cycle tour. It has certainly been great while it has lasted
Tricia

You must have benefited from having a derailleur rather than the internal gear hub that gave you grief in changing flats two years ago. Still, I am impressed by the just in passing reference to fixing the flat. Usually the trauma of taking off the bags, flipping the bike, finding the puncture and the thorn or other reason, cleaning the greasy hands, getting the pump to work, etc. triggers at least a few sentences!

What innocence old French women would always drink something stronger than strawberry juice

I once biked over that same bridge with Gill Ross.
When we stopped to look back we were invited in to a nearby house by a charming old woman and offered a drink. We thought it was strawberry juice but it turned out to be cassis - at 10 am. Our pedals flew around after that !