#cyclist's bucket list

[pcwt]

The Roubaix showers are a hall of fame for L'Enfer du Nord; they are a throwback to how cycling used to be. The cold cement and basic cubicles remain unchanged from when they were built in the 1940s. In the old days, the entire peloton would pile into the showers to spray off the layers of mud and dust. If journalists wanted a quote, they would head to the showers. Today, while only a few riders still use the showers, it remains a coveted experience on every cyclist's bucket list - to shower in the iconic Roubaix Velodrome at least once.Some riders say it can take just as long to feel clean after a rough and muddy Roubaix as it does for the aches and pains to fade away. 

Photo | Jered Grube 

r#parisroubaix #rbx #roubaix #roubaixshowers Paris-Roubaix

[nuwanders]

tagged by @wispstalk, thank you!

Relationship Status: single

Favorite Color(s): dark earthy colours: wine red, dark emerald green, etc

Favorite Food: hmmmmmmmm at the moment probably caponata? with some good crusty bread

Song Stuck in My Head: 'lady d’arbanville’ by cat stevens :(

Last thing you Googled: indeed.com. it’s rough out here

Time: 20:32

Dream Trip: it’s on my bucket list to hike the PCT one day. will be a long while before i’m able to fund something like that though

Last Thing You Read: moral luck by bernard williams :/

Last Book You Enjoyed Reading: god this is so embarrassing my answer is the same as it was last time i was tagged in something like this.... pre-raphaelites in love by gay daly

Favorite Thing to Cook/Bake: cooking: either lentil dahl with curried carrots or lentil + walnut bolognese. baking: brownies.

Favorite Craft to do in Your Freetime: art. went to a life drawing class on saturday which was fun.

Most Niche Dislike: idk if it’s niche but road cyclists, in particular hobby cyclists. sorry to any cyclists reading this. but if you go out on saturdays in all ur lycra and cycle two abreast on winding country A-roads where no-one can overtake... you are a blight on this earth. (if you commute by bike though you are forgiven <3)

Opinion on Circuses: never been. unsettling vibes.

Do You Have Any Sense of Direction: decent-ish? it can be better if i concentrate but when i’m with other people i tend to default to not paying attention

Tagging back: @mondhound @swordcoasts @spectrealenko @bigcheezey @connortheconceded @tossiemering @fivekoboldsinacoat (no pressure at all!) and anyone else i normally tag in these sorts of things..... brain not working currently unfortunately :(

[mygainyear2024]

Day 73 Farewell EU and your 90 day visa rules, I'm/we're off on a bucket list adventure to Morocco

Rose and I spent the morning playing tetris with our luggage, particularly as we're flying Ryan Air from Santander to Marrakesh. We duck out to grab some cash and Rose wanted to look at a different Pull & Bear shop. One of the great things about Europe has been the late checkouts, 12 noon at Hotel Chiqui.

I made a reservation at BNT Street Food for lunch, a place on the water I'd seen the first night I walked (no google, no Fork App, just intuition!). First stop the seals and lone penguin at Parque Marino de la Magdalena. This is a free park with ocean on either side and a lovely green space for hanging out.

Lunch did not disappoint. The view out to the beach/ocean, the wine and the burgers, yum. And Rose offered to buy me a cocktail, I opted for the local red instead, so smooth and good with or without the food, I had two!

Our suitcases were both 2kgs over. It worked out ok, we were allowed to remove stuff and jump the queue to bring them back as he'd ticketed us. And no-one really checked our excess carry on!

I was excited to arrive in Marrakesh and it wasn't horrid through passport control. I even practiced my very poor French with the Officer. Sadly the perfume Rose has been desperate to buy in Australia, and we found at Duty Free here, was only available in the departures area, not the arrivals area, despite me pre-ordering. Fingers crossed the pre-order at Tangier Airport on our way out will be available.

We pre-arranged transport with the Riad, and were expecting to see a sign with "Bohemian Jungle" on it and Hassan waiting. But nothing. Luckily the free airport wifi worked outside the terminal, as I left the purchase of a sim card as the Riad owner, the usually very responsive Anna from the Netherlands, said Hassan would help us with all of that. I rang Anna several times, and the Riad, and no answer. I wondered at what point I just get a taxi knowing that we still needed to walk at the end. After about 20 minutes someone else showed up with the scatchings of "Bohemian Jungle" on the back of his sign and said "I'm not Hassan, and handed me his phone to speak to Hassan to confirm we should get in the car!" It was a very exciting ride, even more exciting than any Asian country I've been to. Big cars, down narrow two way alleyways, motor cycles, cyclists, pedestrians, chaos. We entered one medina, passed the Kings Palace, and exited that one and in and out of a couple more. Rose said "I thought we were going to the jungle". My reply "it is a jungle of sorts"! We reach our destination, and I said to Rose, we'll be met and need to walk the rest of the way. The driver and Hassan seemed to be having several heated conversations. I think it was about how far he needed to drive us in. Thankfully Hassan was there when we stopped and we walked about 300 metres around several corners and we arrived. It is magnificent. Hassan served us traditional mint tea and biscuits, gave us a map and explained the important sites, a book with pictures of how to get out of the Riad and back again, and an old phone to ring if we get lost. He's already suggested to Rose that they share shisha, having given up alcohol. I heard them talking and Rose said something like "my mum won't let me"! I sang out and said "I don't mind it's up to you"! We asked for some ice so we could make a start on the second 1 litre bottle of gin! And I asked if there was fresh milk I could have for my coffee in the morning, already googling that fresh milk is available in Marrakesh, but best bought early before the sun affects it!!

[vertical-elevation]

Stronger Than Yesterday

Resilience. It’s one of the secrets to survival, both professionally and personally. It’s what’s gotten you to where you are, and it’s what will help define who you will become.

Looking back at some of the toughest situations you’ve endured, you may have felt there was no other choice. It was a natural instinct. And while it’s true that resilience can come innately, it’s also a learned skill.

Instead of leaving resilience up to chance, considering strengthening those muscles by choice. How can we lead a more resilient life, and lead a more resilient team, in the year to come?

A Core of Confidence

Everyone has an inner critic. Who do you compare yourself to, and why?

Although comparison can create competition and competition can fuel achievement, it’s a balancing act. While constructive criticism can deter certain behaviors in the short-term, positive reinforcement is generally better for shaping new and lasting behavior. It’s also at the core of creating confidence.

As a leader, recognize that criticism doesn’t increase competency. You are simply sharing what not to do, instead of what to do. Imagine a child learning how to ride a bicycle. Which environment shapes a more confident future cyclist: pointing out each time they fell down or pointing out what they did to stay up?

Confidence increases productivity and causes you to choose more challenging tasks, which make you stand out amongst your peers. You naturally create a more cohesive workplace environment; confident people celebrate the accomplishments of others as opposed to insecure individuals who try to steal the spotlight and criticize others in order to prove their worth. Speaking first and often (a sign of high self-esteem) makes others perceive you as a leader. In fact, over-confident people are more likely to be promoted than those who have actually accomplished more.

The fact that successful people tend to be delusional isn’t as bad as it sounds; our belief in our own eminence is what gives us confidence. Even though we are not as good as we believe we are, this confidence actually helps us become more than we would have otherwise.

A Fondness for Failure

Consider failures as beginnings, rather than endings. You’ve probably learned more from failures than any other source of wisdom. Teach yourself, and your team, to focus on the data and facts. Embrace failure’s value as a teacher, get curious about the information it provides, and be open to where it leads you next.

You may even find you fail less when you don’t fear it.

Failure is either redirecting or reaffirming. If failure caused you to take a different path, it’s because you saw it heading towards a dead-end. (Yay!) If failure caused you to get back up and keep going, it reaffirms you are committed to a goal and it’s worth fighting for. (Yay!)

The Power of Purpose

We have the freedom to choose our actions, our profession, our financial needs, and the path of our life. Each day is not about what we have to do. It’s about what we get to do. Strength can come from the recognition that there is a bigger purpose, a desire to make a difference, and a need to have a higher meaning behind the choices we make.

Spend time focusing on this for yourself personally, and with those you lead. Some points to ponder:

Who in my life do I care to impact the most? How specifically am I going to mentor and impact those individuals?

What are five things I would put on my bucket list, and with whom would I want to experience them?

What experiences am I most appreciative of in my life? How can I help others have that same experience?

What moment in your life are you most proud of? How can you duplicate more of those moments?

Look around. What, and who, am I thankful for today?

The Steps for Success

Teach the importance of:

Taking a deep breath.

Then taking another.

Then focusing on the next thing that needs to be done in order to keep going.

If you wake up suffocated by the list of things that need to get accomplished today, start with getting up and brushing your teeth. When you feel anxiety over an important deadline, make a list of things that need to be done and do just one of them. If your email inbox is exhausting, unsubscribe to a few distribution lists that you never signed up for. Stop longingly looking at pictures of other people’s photos on social media, and spend that time scrolling through your own pictures and cherished memories instead. Don’t focus on the big things; start with the littlest and decide where to go from there. Take an action, any action. Manufacture your own momentum.

Have an appreciation for your history. What are some of the toughest things you’ve experienced? How did you get through them? You probably already know quite a bit about being resilient, just haven’t stopped to admire it.

Remember: you’ve got this. The person who has gotten you through the toughest parts of your life? It’s you.

[bikeholidaystour]

Swiss Alps Passes Expedition: Immersing in the Awe-Inspiring Beauty of the Mountains

Nestled in the heart of Europe, the Swiss Alps are a natural wonder that have captured the imagination of adventurers and nature enthusiasts for centuries. Among the myriad of ways to experience their majestic beauty, embarking on the Swiss Alps Passes Route promises an unforgettable journey through some of the most stunning landscapes on Earth. In this article, we'll delve into the allure of this route, its highlights, and why it's an experience that every avid traveler and cyclist should consider.

Discovering the Swiss Alps Passes Route

The Swiss Alps Passes Route is a cycling and touring route that winds its way through the breathtaking alpine landscapes of Switzerland. This route encompasses a series of mountain passes, each offering panoramic vistas that are nothing short of awe-inspiring. From the adrenaline-pumping thrill of conquering high-altitude passes to the serene beauty of tranquil valleys, this route offers a diverse range of experiences that cater to every traveler's desires.

Highlights Along the Route

Spectacular Scenery:

The route takes cyclists through a mesmerizing tapestry of landscapes, including lush valleys, glacial lakes, and imposing peaks. Whether you're a photography enthusiast or simply someone who revels in nature's beauty, you'll find ample opportunities to capture breathtaking vistas.

Charming Villages:

As you pedal through the Swiss Alps, you'll have the chance to visit charming alpine villages that seem to have been plucked straight from a storybook. 

Iconic Passes:

The route boasts an array of iconic mountain passes, each with its own unique character. Passes like Gotthard, Furka,, and Nufenen are not only thrilling to conquer but also offer a glimpse into the engineering marvels that connect these remote regions.

Why Choose the Swiss Alps Passes Route

If you're wondering why the Swiss Alps Passes Route should be on your travel bucket list, the reasons are plentiful. Here are a few compelling ones:

Unparalleled Beauty:

The route offers a sensory overload of natural beauty that is hard to match. The contrast between lush valleys and rugged peaks creates a dynamic visual experience that will stay with you forever.

Cycling Adventure:

For cycling enthusiasts, this route is a dream come true. It presents a challenging yet rewarding journey that combines physical exertion with the joy of exploration.

Memorable Experiences:

From the camaraderie of cycling with fellow adventurers to the wonder of discovering hidden gems along the way, the experiences you'll gather are bound to become cherished memories.

Conclusion:

A Journey Worth Embarking On

The Swiss Alps Passes Route is more than just a cycling itinerary; it's an immersive journey into the heart of one of the world's most captivating natural landscapes. As you pedal through picturesque valleys, conquer lofty passes, and connect with the culture of alpine communities, you'll find yourself spellbound by the magic that the Swiss Alps have to offer. So, pack your bags, don your cycling gear, and get ready to embark on an adventure that promises not just a vacation, but a transformative experience amidst the splendor of the Swiss Alps.

Remember, the real beauty of the Swiss Alps Passes Route lies not just in the physical journey, but in the memories and emotions it etches into your soul.

[woovlybucketlist]

Cycling is the most adventurous way to travel. Cycling through the destination at your own pace can bring you closer to the land and its people. It combines the leisure of traveling, beauty of sightseeing, and benefits of physical exercise. Cycling in India has evolved a lot from just a mere transport into a full-fledged competitive and recreational sport. In recent years, the popularity of the activity in our country has increased a lot, giving way to some amazing cycling routes in India.

A cycling trip in India serves as a fantastic way to explore new routes across various parts of our country. So, if you are a cycling enthusiast and want to make the most of it, then such excursions should be in your Bucket List.

[bbcsherlock]

re: 1001 bikes - i’m a cyclist/mountain biker/i like bikes etc, but i will say that i laughed very fucking hard at the fact that that is a published book?? like i do very much enjoy bikes and i can think of like, 20 bikes i could maybe list that i’d like to try -

but a THOUSAND (and one) is ??? who can even name 1001 bikes, let alone rank them in a fuckin book as a Bucket List? whose ‘before they die’ bucket list is just riding a thousand bikes. what happened to spending time with ur family.

jwlefjlerkjf hold on there's more. add this to your bucket list

[hizokucycles]

Reposted from @souphorse Bucket List Rides… 🤔 Baby you’re much too fast! 🦄 #purpleritte #myamericangrave #cycling #biking #cyclist #bike #bicycle #gravelbike #outdoors #hizokucycles Hizokucycles.coml https://www.instagram.com/p/CSxkdSmpios/?utm_medium=tumblr

[apisa-b]

*blows dust off this thing*

Why, hello again.

I haven’t posted much (at all, tbh) recently, because nothing post-worthy is happening.

I’m not writing. Mostly because I have so much to do at work that the prospect of sitting down at my desk to do some additional writing is not enticing. Like at all. Plus, very few people actually read my stories, so my brain tells me that writing down whatever I dream up is just not worth the hassle. I’m sure sooner or later I will write something again, just not right now. In the meantime, I keep dreaming up stories. Maybe one of them will insist on being written.

Even reading seems to be daunting. I can count the fics I’ve read in the last two months on the fingers of one hand. I even read just one book. Reading doesn’t spark any joy at the moment.

The only thing I truly enjoy is being outside, going on walks. Maybe I should post about my walks? But which walks are post-worthy? Surely not the short ones I take in the dark to stretch my legs after work, where I keep on illuminated sidewalks so I won’t accidently trip over something in the dark and sprain my ankles (I’ve sprained my ankles so many times that it’s a constant fear I have).

Which leaves the longer ones on weekends. But which one of those should I share here? Are the shorter ones worth sharing, or just the hikes? What even is the difference between a walk and a hike? Does a hike require a back-bag? Hmm ...

Anywaym, the weather has been very dreary lately. I haven’t seen the sun or the blue sky for almost two weeks. We live in a constant twilight, where I can’t tell if it’s cloudy or if it is a layer of fog covering the valley, and we just happen to live beyond said layer of fog. Not even far from where I live to the west, it snowed a lot in the last couple of weeks (more than 2m even down in the valley. Buildings already collapsed under the strain), but somehow here it only ever rained. Sure, up on the mountains there’s enough snow, and I would love to drive up for a walk in winter-wonderland – but so does everybody else. People have told me that they were unable to find a spot to park their car up there - and that was before they opened the skiing lifts.

Yes, you read right: skiing lifts are open. The country is in lockdown, restaurants and shops are closed, it is restricted how many people one is allowed to see, but skiing is allowed. That’s Austria for you. If people could not go skiing, probably even more would protest against the lockdown.

Therefore, a nice winter hike in the mountains is out of the question right now, if I want to avoid bumping into too many people.

Driving somewhere to be going for a walk is out of the question as well. The country’s in lockdown and I really don’t think that driving around trying to find a nice trail is recommendable under these circumstances. I have to find paths that I can reach from home – I am lucky in that regard. I can reach several from home without having to rely on any transportation method besides my own legs.

The route I took last weekend was determined by the fact that I needed to deliver a precooked meal to mum (To keep her from going shopping too often I’ve resorted to deliberately cook more than we could ever eat, and then deliver the “leftovers” to mum). Mum’s flat is in the direction of the river – so down to the river it was.

Our river is not spectacular, by any means; but the river has been made available for cyclists and walkers to enjoy, from the southern part of our city down to the river’s mouth; a bicycle lane runs on the right side of the river, whereas on the left side there’s a running trail / pilgrimage trail. Walking the leg of the pilgrimage trail that leads from the city down to the Benedictine abbey near the mouth of the river is high on my bucket list for the upcoming year. I know the trail quite well, but I’ve never walked it in its entirety. In summer, I often take my bike along the river, only to leave it at strategic points to explore the area on foot.

Of course, I have to walk through the not so pretty parts of the city to reach the river. And even once I do reach it, it’s not really a beautiful sight, as on the city’s outskirts industrial buildings were erected close to it. I’d need to keep my head constantly turned to the right while walking downriver for a couple of kilometers in order to have the illusion of being out in mostly untouched nature. Once the industrial buildings give way to fields, the sight is quite pretty though – at least in spring or summer. Now, with the near constant rain of the last days soaking the path and under the cloudy /foggy sky it’s a rather dreary sight.

I walked app. 5 km downriver before I turned around – so overall I walked 10 km in 1 hour and 40 minutes. I was able to keep a steady and high pace, as it is quite flat here.

Tomorrow is a holiday, and I’ve taken the rest of the week off. I’m hoping the weather will allow me to undertake some walks, and maybe I’ll even remember to tell you about them.

[jamesalvinnn]

"My 10 Bucket List"

This might seem a little morbid, but it’s actually really important to have a bucket list! Bucket lists help you think about what you actually want out of your life. They also motivate you to learn about how you can make those dreams possible. Below are some of my bucket list, check it out.

1. Looking forward to be a Pro-cyclist

2. Dreamed to be a Seaman

3. Literally travel the whole world

4. Earn my own money by myself

5. To be a successful business man

6. Get my ideal body

7. Change someone's life into better ones

8. Face my fear to be able to ride high rides

9. Be able to save money

10. Simply enjoy life

@kim1643philo

[paradisar]

How to Plan a Camping Trip

You are all set to have a holiday, get away from it all, and revel in the simplicity of character. But you are new to camping and do not understand how to organize a camping excursion. No worries, you have come to the ideal location.

In four easy actions you are going to be driving from town with all the windows down and bliss only a brief drive adway.

Where to Go

There are two sorts of campgrounds: Personal and people. Both have their own benefits but finding a fantastic one can be difficult. That's precisely why it is a fantastic idea to utilize campground reviews and evaluations to direct you. Resources such as AAA, Trailer Life, and Wheeler's compile all of the info that you want to find out whether a campground is perfect for you.

Take under account if you are staying in a tent or even a camper or RV. Similarly, some have the conveniences and hookups required for cyclists.

Would you care if there is a shower and flush toilets or are you really fine with roughing it to the weekend? This is a large element for many toddlers and a campground manual involves this sort of information. You might even pick public parks that are inclined to be pastoral and extend an assortment of outdoor recreation choices or elect for contemporary campgrounds which might have a game room, shop, or swimming.

Top Destinations

Campers love the excellent outdoors, pristine all-natural surroundings, as well as the experiences that inspire at the wild. As soon as it's very likely that there is a fantastic campsite nearby wherever you reside, in case you're trying to find a destination for travel to, we've got some thoughts.

Each state has its fair share of state and national parks and these actually do provide a number of the very best camping opportunities. However, some countries are much better known for getting really great campgrounds to pick from. Furthermore, when you haven't camped at any of those top federal parks, add them into your own bucket listing.

Collect Your Gear

Do you require a checklist to ensure that you've packed all of your equipment? As you might opt to bring along a couple of added items, there are a number of items which are absolutely crucial.

A place to sleep is important, so catch a tent. Something to sleep and help you to stay warm is great also, which explains the reason why sleeping bags are essential. Also, a couple items to cook your foods can help out tremendously.

Gear in hand, today you want the equipment .

You will be miles away from city and you will never know when someone will find a cut, bee sting, or another harm that requires a fast fix.

Setting Up Camp

When you get into the campground, you will want to check in at the office or camp sponsor. Locate a fantastic website that resembles a place you can hang to your weekend. The campsites having the most color are prime property, therefore try to get there early.

From that point, you are going to install your camp. Choose the website to your tent, set your cooking provides, and settle in.

1 thing you'll quickly find out is that you will find bothersome campers. Do not be among these and understand what not to perform on a camping excursion . Including many common sense things such as honor your neighbors, keep the camp clean​ and comprehend that wildlife will probably be around.

When you are ready to depart and head home, make certain your website looks the way that it did (or better than) if you came. You can checkout some good backpacking tents here. The frequent term is"leave no trace" and this usually means that you ought to take your garbage with you, dowse your flame correctly, and package up all of your equipment.

Do not allow the unknown landscape or anxieties of being in the wild prevent you out of going backpacking. It is a good deal of pleasure and a genuine outdoor experience.

If you have not backpacked earlier , it is somewhat different than catching a campsite at the country park. You are going to be in a distant place with no automobile to rely on, therefore it is important to choose no more than the important gear you are going to want. Additionally, it is important to select the ideal campsite, although some popular backcountry destinations provide designated sites on the way.

Additionally, you must be healthy enough to manage the increase and know that to call or how to get to assist if there is a crisis. Check with the park ranger in the region about any critical details like that along with other tips they could provide you.

[mygainyear2024]

Day 73 Farewell EU and your 90 day visa rules, I'm/we're off on a bucket list adventure to Morocco

Rose and I spent the morning playing tetris with our luggage, particularly as we're flying Ryan Air from Santander to Marrakesh. We duck out to grab some cash and Rose wanted to look at a different Pull & Bear shop. One of the great things about Europe has been the late checkouts, 12 noon at Hotel Chiqui.

I made a reservation at BNT Street Food for lunch, a place on the water I'd seen the first night I walked (no google, no Fork App, just intuition!). First stop the seals and lone penguin at Parque Marino de la Magdalena. This is a free park with ocean on either side and a lovely green space for hanging out.

Lunch did not disappoint. The view out to the beach/ocean, the wine and the burgers, yum. And Rose offered to buy me a cocktail, I opted for the local red instead, so smooth and good with or without the food, I had two!

Our suitcases were both 2kgs over. It worked out ok, we were allowed to remove stuff and jump the queue to bring them back as he'd ticketed us. And no-one really checked our excess carry on!

I was excited to arrive in Marrakesh and it wasn't horrid through passport control. I even practiced my very poor French with the Officer. Sadly the perfume Rose has been desperate to buy in Australia, and we found at Duty Free here, was only available in the departures area, not the arrivals area, despite me pre-ordering. Fingers crossed the pre-order at Tangier Airport on our way out will be available.

We pre-arranged transport with the Riad, and were expecting to see a sign with "Bohemian Jungle" on it and Hassan waiting. But nothing. Luckily the free airport wifi worked outside the terminal, as I left the purchase of a sim card as the Riad owner, the usually very responsive Anna from the Netherlands, said Hassan would help us with all of that. I rang Anna several times, and the Riad, and no answer. I wondered at what point I just get a taxi knowing that we still needed to walk at the end. After about 20 minutes someone else showed up with the scatchings of "Bohemian Jungle" on the back of his sign and said "I'm not Hassan, and handed me his phone to speak to Hassan to confirm we should get in the car!" It was a very exciting ride, even more exciting than any Asian country I've been to. Big cars, down narrow two way alleyways, motor cycles, cyclists, pedestrians, chaos. We entered one medina, passed the Kings Palace, and exited that one and in and out of a couple more. Rose said "I thought we were going to the jungle". My reply "it is a jungle of sorts"! We reach our destination, and I said to Rose, we'll be met and need to walk the rest of the way. The driver and Hassan seemed to be having several heated conversations. I think it was about how far he needed to drive us in. Thankfully Hassan was there when we stopped and we walked about 300 metres around several corners and we arrived. It is magnificent. Hassan served us traditional mint tea and biscuits, gave us a map and explained the important sites, a book with pictures of how to get out of the Riad and back again, and an old phone to ring if we get lost. He's already suggested to Rose that they share shisha, having given up alcohol. I heard them talking and Rose said something like "my mum won't let me"! I sang out and said "I don't mind it's up to you"! We asked for some ice so we could make a start on the second 1 litre bottle of gin! And I asked if there was fresh milk I could have for my coffee in the morning, already googling that fresh milk is available in Marrakesh, but best bought early before the sun affects it!!

[easyrider64]

Day 1

Greetings friends and welcome to my third Cycling adventure blog. Some preamble and history:  my brother in law Steve - owner of “Off the Rail” brewing invited me to celebrate his 60th birthday with a “bucket list” ride through Bavaria during Oktoberfest. Full disclosure - he had me at “beer and biking” the concept of cycling through the beer capital of the world (at its peak there were over 3,000 breweries in Bavaria) wasn’t a hard sell and as an added bonus my son Alessandro decided to join us.  Ok - so why the “Psyclepath” reference in the title. Well for those of you not familiar with Off the Rail Brewing, one of their signature brews(and personal favourite) is their ‘Psyclepath Lager" (Off the Rail is located on the Adanac bicycle path in Vancouver)  Leaving Vancouver on Friday the 13th, we flew to London and make a quick visit to my parents in Cambridge where we were surprised by my brother Lawrence visiting from Brussels and my sister Louise who flew in from San Francisco. My other sister Anne came to visit from Leamington Spa. What a great and unexpected reunion! It took us a while to figure out that the last time we had been together was for Lawrence’s wedding in 2003! After and all too short reunion we got up very early Monday to catch a Lufthansa flight to Frankfurt and then a 3 hour train ride to Bamberg - a stunning historic town that would serve as the for our adventure.  So - if you have read my previous blogs you will know that my work colleague and multi day adventure “mentor-guru” Rob has a mantra: Rule # 1: “no   epic journey truly starts until something goes wrong”. we arrived in Bamberg late and immediately headed into the old Town for a meal and a sample of the local community “ rauchbier” (Smokey flavoured dark beer) To northamericans used to strict public drinking laws we were a bit shocked (and not unimpressed) when we saw well behaved but equally well lubricated patrons walking through the old city with pint glasses in hand having a very good time.  Apparently there are no restrictions on public drinking in Germany as long as you bring your empty pint glasses back for the deposit refund (!).   We didn’t have long to prove that yet again Rob was right. Sitting at an outside table sampling some of the local schnitzel specially we struck up a conversation with our table neighbours. One was a former professional cyclist who was interested in our trip and proceeded to let us know that we were being way too ambitious with our daily cycling objectives.   Problem: accommodations had already been booked in the destination cities.   Feeling a sense of unease we headed back to the hotel.  The next day (Tuesday) was dedicated to getting the bikes and equipment ready for the ride. We went to the “business” through which we had rented the bikes and equipment only to discover that it was just a car garage which was locked and no signs of the owner.  Feeling an increasing sense of unease we decided to visit the local tourist information center  Rule # 2 for epic journeys: “when things look bleakest, a solution always presents itself”.  We started talking to one of the information center employees - and told him our story and asked if there were other bicycle rental companies he informed us that the owner of the company we had been to actually worked at the information center and rented bikes in his spare time after work.  He then proceeded to go in the back of the office and bring out “ Uri” the bike guy.  We spent then next half our (re) planning our daily rides and in no time we had it figured out. Later that day we met up with Uri and he provided us with excellent bikes and all the equipment we required as well as additional advice on our trip. 

 So we set off today _ officially day 1 of our trip.  Heading out west from Bamberg along the south bank of the Main river we were immiately struck by the fact that almost the entire route was on dedicated bicycle only trails (see pictures)  we made our way through stunning countryside, winding our way through numerous villages that all seemed to have one or more breweries. Being able to ride side by side is a rare luxury on long rides and I was. Blessed by being able to engage in a long conversation with Alessandro as we passed through increasingly breathtaking countryside (this stretch of bike trail is known as “the romantic way” in Germany and for obvious reasons) Stopping for a quick lunch break in a gorgeous medieval town called Hassfurt, we continued on hugging the bank of the Main river.  At one point we stumbled across the 200 year old Lamm brewery and we felt the urge to stop in.  Rule # 3 for epic journeys - be open and “ in the moment” and amazing things will happen.  The brewery is no longer in operation but it operates as a hotel and distribution center for a larger brewery.  We pulled up on our bikes and a gentlemen was in the office and opened his window.   Not one to be shy when it comes to beer steve blurted out “do you have any beer?”. The man muttered some inaudible words in german then closed the window.   Steve and I looked at each other quizzically ….but shortly thereafter the gentlemen came out with three beer bottles and proceeded to open them.  I have to presume he had been sampling some of his ownproduct because for the next 30 mins we proceeded to have a conversation using my very rusty German and yet he seemed to understand everything I said.  He - Theo- the owner lamented the fact that none of his children wanted to take over the brewery and it eventually ceased producing beer.  He then showed us around the old factory and them promptly left to make a delivery and told us to help ourselves to any beer while he was gone (which we did not - instead leaving a few euros for the beer he gave us).  It’s one of those surreal moments that always seems to happen on these trips.  Leaving the brewery we continued west eventually arriving in schweinfurt (which suffered terrible bombings during the war).  Already 70 kms completed on heavy bikes and with almost 60 more to go to our final destination of Wurzberg we opted to take a train eventually arriving in wurzberg around 4pm where we cycles a short distance to our accomodation.   All in all an amazing first day. 

Table neighbours!

Uri the bike guy!

Theo!

CHEERS!

[cascadevacationrentals-blog]

Fishing the North Shore and Boundary Waters

Fishing near and on Lake Superior is to an angler what the Tour de France is to a cyclist. Likewise, fishing in or near the Boundary Water is the equivalent of traveling to Graceland for an Elvis fan.

In other words, we’re talking about some amazing places to go fishing.

From native brook trout swimming in cool, clear streams that flow into Lake Superior to pristine glacier-carved inland lakes with depths of more than 100 ft., there’s no shortage of opportunities when it comes to fishing in what our team at Cascade Vacation Rentals call our backyard.

So with the understanding, the varied fishing opportunities can seem overwhelming by their mere abundance, let’s break it down and focus on two types of fishing.

Option #1: Topwater Fishing for Smallmouth Bass

Topwater fishing is a simple concept. Your lure or fly (if you using a fly rod) stays on top of the water as you reel it in while pursuing fish. Rather than watching a bobber vanish to the depths or lazily bouncing a jig of the bottom, topwater fishing is all about working the surface. Most anglers use an imitation frog while fishing in this method, and often time the louder you retrieve the better. Topwater lures include the Hula-Popper, Heddon Torpedo or the Jitterbug. In fact, these are all classic and time-tested topwater lures. Smallmouth bass will mistake your lure to be a desperate frog and literally wallop it as it moves across the water. And then… hang on! Topwater magic!

Option #2: Charter Fishing on Lake Superior

Fishing on Lake Superior is at the top of many bucket lists for all levels of anglers. Because the “Big Lake” is so large, so deep and so powerful, many anglers opt to hire a guide or charter service when they go fishing on Lake Superior. There are charter fishing establishments in Duluth, Silver Bay, Tofte, Grand Marais, and Thunder Bay to assist with narrowing the scope of an otherwise huge body of water.

Fishing on Lake Superior is a far cry from fishing on a neighborhood pond. It involves specialized equipment including downriggers, strong (and expensive) fishing rods and reels and a very capable watercraft. If you don’t have easy access to all of the above, hiring a guide is the way to go.

Once you are on the water, however, it will all be worth it. Lake trout the size of small farm animals swim in these waters. So too do salmon, steelhead trout and a wide variety of prized Minnesota game fish.

Flashy spoons or deep-diving plugs work well in Lake Superior. The key to finding the fish is to get your lure deep, literally hundreds of feet deep if possible. Again, a charter captain is probably the way to go when fishing on Lake Superior, and we’re more than happy at Cascade Vacation Rentals to help point you in the right direction when it comes to finding a chartered fishing vessel.

To find more information on the NorthShore or perfect places to stay go to: 

Cascade Vacation Rentals