Travel Days

April 8, 2025 to April 9, 2025

Some Things Never Change

When we were dreaming about this year’s tour, we toyed with the idea of a a ‘10th aniverssary’ cross Canada redo. One of the compelling features of what we were thinking was that we could start from our home in Canmore, travel east to St John’s then fly to Victoria and cycle back home. We had hosted (Warm Showers) a couple from Montreal who did a version of this and thought it was really cool. Only one flight, halving the pain of what is usually the least fun days of any tour.

Alas, that didn’t happen so once again we were faced with today, and tomorrow’s, task: driving to Calgary, getting our large volume of bikes and gear through the airport and getting checked into our flight to Montreal where we’d make our connection to Milan (MXP). All the while fretting about whether that large volume of ‘stuff’ would make it to the other end.

Happy to report that it all did, and the whole process - check in, flights, in-flight entertainment - went really well. We had a bit of concern at the start when ‘ a technical issue’ delayed our departure from Calgary by about 40 minutes, making our connection time in Montreal quite tight (read added stress about ‘the large volume of stuff’ getting transferred). However, the snow storm that was happening in Montreal (yeah, this is Canada - snow in April) delayed that flight also so we had ample time to connect. All good!

Check in at Calgary. We had a serious case of Bike-Box envy when we saw Jacquie Gaudet’s nice Thule cases. We fixed that by picking up a couple. Soooo easy to move the bikes through the airport but it did take away all the entertainment value of watching your travelling partner trying to maneuver two huge cardboard boxes through a crowded airport. I guess there's pros and cons to everything!

Meet this nice young couple at the departure gate. They were off to Montreal for their honeymoon! How fun! We blabbed on about our trip and gave them our card with a link to this blog. Shameless self promotion!

Success! Sixteen hours later here we are with all our stuff in Milan MPX

..and so it starts. Great first dinner at Castigo in Soma Lombardo. Our fantastic B&B host made the booking for us (and joined us later for a glass of wine and dessert!)

Tuna tartare, antipasto course along with the panko crusted prawns in the previous picture

What do we find on the wine list? This wonderful Cà dei Frati. This Sirmione based winery is the family business of our friends Maria Chiara and Andrea who we’re going to see in a couple of days!

Our Primo course of linguine with prawns and guanciale

This was a very family friendly and local restaurant. The table beside us had a beautiful Lab with them, so that struck up a wonderful conversation

And here he is. Very sweet, and forever hopeful of manna from heaven … or a dropped table morsel

SOTD

Stepenwolf’s Magic Carpet Ride

“Well, you don't know what we can find

Why don't you come with me, little girl

On a magic carpet ride“

‘Cause that’s what we hope this little adventure will be!

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Steve Miller/GrampiesSince we began regularly travelling in Europe, and have moved to ebikes, and have stopped camping, and have bikes at home for local rides/tours, and have European friends/storage facilities to stash our bikes between tours....we now travel with only one pannier each. Everything that can stay in Europe, does. It is extremely liberating! Makes shorter transfers slightly less stressful. No need to worry about airlines damaging or losing our stuff. Start each trip from where you ended the last one. Love it!!!
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3 weeks ago

Lyle McLeodTo Steve Miller/GrampiesSteve,
That does have some appeal!
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3 weeks ago

Jill WheatleySo great to hear that your adventure has had such a smooth start.

Just over 6 months in from your knee replacement (a recovery teamed together!) - impressive to indeed.

Inspired,
jill
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2 weeks ago

Francine Taylor-GobeilLoved the song choice!!

Enjoy your magic "carpet/bike" ride!!
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2 weeks ago

Lyle McLeodTo Francine Taylor-GobeilThanks! I’m sure we will, even the inevitable Type 2 stuff!
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2 weeks ago

Rachael AndersonI love the song! We could have used a magic carpet a few days ago.
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2 weeks ago

Lyle McLeodTo Rachael AndersonWe’ll have to catch up on your journal to get the reference. We’re still crashing each night at 9 ….. which means in a few minutes!
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2 weeks ago

Brenda CardinalLove your song of the day! One of my favourites!
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2 weeks ago

Lyle McLeodTo Brenda CardinalHi Brenda, so glad to see you following along. Sorry for taking so long to follow up with a reply. We actually don’t have too much free time each day. Today was a ‘down day’ so we’re catching up on stuff. Just two more days until we sail to Croatia and start island hopping
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1 week ago

Kirsten KaarsooTo Jill WheatleyLyle’s knee just seems to be getting stronger. He is so happy to be out on his bike. I am enjoying the fact we can still do this together. Medical technology is impressive!
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1 week ago