Brian resides in Florida, which actually might be a good place to do some training for Cambodia.

I’m not really sure how Brian found Far and Away Cycling.  Usually, there are only two routes….either an internet search for a particular destination or a referral of some kind.  It’s our first tour in Cambodia, so no one specifically suggested “the F&A Cambodia tour”.  That indicates a level of risk taking.  We like that.  We don’t really do any advertising.

I just realized that we are going to have 2 Brian’s on this tour.  That immediately opens the door for some naming creativity…or confusion…or both.  In Lao, we might fix that by appending a “noy” on the end of a name….as in “Bob-noy”.  That would be “little Bob” or “Bob Junior”.  I don’t think we can do that in Cambodia.  We are going to have to work on this.

Here is Brian C., not to be confused with Brian T.

Today is the last day for the $100 “early bird discount” on Cambodia.

Great to have Brian on board for this, our initial adventure in Cambodia.

I think the knowledge that one can dine on deep fried tarantulas at Romdeng in Phnom Penh is what put Frank over the top.  Tarantula dining is optional, of course, but if you are curious how to eat them,  here is a guide:

http://www.worldhum.com/features/how-to/how-to-eat-fried-tarantulas-in-cambodia-20091201/

Anyway, Frank is a real trooper.  I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but the first thing Frank did, on his initial tour in Corsica several years back, was take a trip over his handlebars while checking out his rental bike.  I immediately concluded he was on a “learning trajectory”.

That was a memorable trip for other reasons as well.  We were visited by 70 mph winds which caused us to abandon the biking entirely one afternoon for the relative safety of the train.  Remember that, Frank?   I found several members of the group taking shelter from the wind behind boulders on the side of the mountain.

Since then, Frank has become a true biker.    I guess if it doesn’t kill you, it makes you stronger.

I’ll stop with the memories.    Frank,  I am looking forward to it.  It’s a very good sign that you have signed on for the maiden tour in Cambodia.

Frank, in Spain

Frank, in Sagone, Corsica

This will be his first tour with us and he’s picked a good one in Sikkim.  It’s biking in the Himalayas.  Biking in the Himalayas is about like you would imagine it…high….and hilly.

If you can’t imagine it, you can read about it….. “Where the Air is Thin and the Tires are Fat”.

There are only a few days left to get our $100 early bird discount for our “Last Shangri-La” Tour in Sikkim (and also Cambodia).

It’s great to have Dennis on board for Sikkim!

Dennis is from Washington DC....and he sent in a very appropriate pic.

As I recall, James is riding either a Surly long haul trucker or maybe a Surly Traveler’s Check.   Absolutely, the right bike for the kind of tours he is signing on for.

James asked me if  I was going to do another tour Jersey…for Cambodia.  I don’t know.  Maybe.  I hadn’t really planned on it, but if enough people ask for one,  you never know.  It’s a nice keepsake.

It is great to have James and Janet on board.

James and Janet in Hawaii.

Graeme has done all our tours, most of them several times.  He’s also led our tours.  He’s a friend and is always a barrel of laughs.

It’s great to have him back…..to back. 

I once asked Graeme to explain to me the number of tours he has signed up for with Far and Away Cycling.  He told me “when you are on a good thing, keep pedaling”  Amen to that.

"When you are on a good thing, keep pedaling!"

Brian can crank a big gear.  My guess is that it can be a really big gear in Cambodia if we get a little bit of wind at our backs.

Raaaarhhh!!!!! Feeding time. I'm watching my hand.

Ann is also an avid tennis player.  She has been known to bring her racket with her.  Ann, I think you can can safely leave the racket at home this time unless you want to practice clay court, pot hole shots on the roads.

Ann always has a smile on her face.  That works well with any destination. 

Ann T.

See what I mean.

Jane has a terrific Spring photo:

Bluebonnets! I like it!

To be honest, Spain and Croatia are very similar tours in terms of the terrain and riding.  Both have all sorts of history with many picturesque fortified, hilltop towns.  There are more boat rides and truffles on the Croatia tour.  There are more tapas and Iberian ham on the Spain tour.  There is great seafood in both places.  There is great wine in both places.

I say, if you have a chance, do them both!

Croatia bound

Here is a view in Spain...Ubrique.

Here is a view in Croatia...Motovun.