The Wobbling Sprocket

Hey Bob-::::Had lots of fun in Corsica. I think Andre is going stick in my memory for awhile. That was a real hoot.

May 19, 2004 – Chantal

Bob: Your trip to Spain was out of this world! It was such a beautiful part of Europe. It combines a rich history, gorgeous scenery, courteous people, great food, and wonderful weather. What more can you ask for? Chantal

May 25, 2004 – Teresa

Bob – Hola! ::::How are you? I made it to Gaucin, but it was an adventure.::I got out of the train and found myself in a little town, that had one hotel and no views. Luckily, some other Americans were also::in the same town looking for the same thing I was….Beauty! ::The couple I met had a tour book that also told them this place was just gorgeous. A local then told us that we were 13k away and advised us to go to the bar to ask about a taxi. We all were thankful at that moment::that we might not have been steered wrong. We go to the::bar and the old men in there tell us to go look for::Poco “El Tigre” that he might give us a ride. We went::looking for him, but he wasn’t home. So, this vehicle::turned the corner, with a man and women inside, and we::asked them if they were going to Gaucin. They stopped::and gave us a ride. Yes, it was beautiful. They showed us around town and::it was gorgeous. We walked over to Hotel Casablanca::and had a glass of vino. You were right. It was::beautiful, too. We were thankful we all made it to Gaucin.::It was very beautiful, breath taking, and quiet. I hope::someday to return. ::::Thanks again for suggesting it. The couple I met and I had one of the best days of our trip. We are still in contact and hopefully will be for along time. ::::I am going to give your card to a friend of mine who::does biking. She is actually in France right now::doing it alone. ::::I hope you enjoyed the rest of your trip. ::::Teresa::::::::

May 26, 2004 – Jeffrey Thompson

Absolutely loved the ride through Southern Spain….Probably some the most spectacular scenery and riding that I’ve ever done….and the company was wonderful as well….looking forward to taking another trip to Corsica in the fall.::Cheers,::~JT

Jun 1, 2004 – Jake Wolff

Bob, ::::Thanks for letting this novice out on the road with the pros. The malaga trip was ridiculously beautiful. The routes were gorgeous, hotels were stellar, and every town was different. Overall — A lot of fun.::::Jake::

Sep 29, 2004 – Ronni

Had a great time in Corsica: I’m still smiling!::

Sep 29, 2004 – Beth

Thanks again for a great trip. I am making time today to finally check out the website! I am very serious about Spain in the spring and so is Ronni. I am sure it will be fun also…though difficult to top this past week.::::Take care,::

Sep 29, 2004 – Grace

“Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved::body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting “…holy::shit…what a ride!”

Sep 29, 2004 – Karen

The Corsica trip was awesome! Well organized… with great people, beautiful countryside, and some killer climbing. Thanks.

Oct 1, 2004 – Hal

The Corsican trip is was exceptional and is recommended to all….Thanks Bob for wonderful memories. I’m still looking for the lunch stops.::Hal

Oct 6, 2004 – Meghan

I went to Corsica with farandawaycycling. Bob Thompson planned a wonderful trip. The hotels and restaurants were of excellent quality. The cycling was so much fun, the routes chosen were very condusive to riding. The island is very diversified, from high cliffs to gorgeous beaches and luscious forests. It was a great trip at a great price, I would suggest it to anyone.

Nov 6, 2004 – Jerry:

I’ve done an awful lot of tours. The fall trip to Corsica just may well be the best I’ve done so far. Save a place for me on the Spain trip in the Spring.

Nov 8, 2004 – Tom Short

These trips are so exciting to think about. I hope to go on at least one with you in 2005.

Dec 15, 2004 – Jeff

I’ve been home two days and already I wish I was still on my bike……hope everyone is doing well and has an overwhelming amount of christmas parties to attend.:::: ::::

Dec 17, 2004 – James:

Thanks for the latest Newsletter. It’s well written and I really enjoyed reading about the Lao trip.

Dec 17, 2004 – Molly B

As one of the “non-cyclists” on the Laos trip, I REALLY appreciated the resources and support arranged by Bob, and provided by the whole group. But I also appreciated the CHALLENGE…Mountains! This trip can be summed up by one word: Breathtaking – the scenery (stunning) and the biking (literally!). It really was an amazing experience: a perfect combination of physical exursion, sightseeing, cultural immersion and FUN (and of course, Beer Lao). And great to have made some new friends!

Dec 17, 2004 – Jeff

Bob,::Of all the rides I’ve been on this one was by far the most rewarding and also probably one of the most challenging. The people, places, and cultures were extroadinary to experience. The group of riders that constituted “TEAM FUN” definitely lived up to their nickname. Thanks for all the memories….

Dec 17, 2004 – Meghan

far and away the best trip I have taken. Bob takes care of all the details so the only thing I have to do is enjoy. The trip to Laos attracted fun and adventurous people that I will never forget.

Dec 19, 2004 – Rachel

I find myself tongue-tied when I try to describe the Laos trip. The challenging cycling; great group of people; spectacular scenery; exposure to life in Southeast Asia and Buddhism; new foods, arts, languages and customs all contributed to what was certainly a rewarding, amazing trip. I didn’t know if I could bike the whole way going into it and now know I can, thanks in no small way to the support of the other cyclists, guides and endearing roadside cheering of Lao children. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend a Far and Away Cycling trip to my best friend or a perfect stranger. Bob is a great guide; he thought of all the important details but allowed each of us to explore and experience in our own way and time.

Dec 20, 2004 – Chantal

Bob,::Once again it’s been a wonderful trip. More than a trip really, a journey though time. Laos is such an interesting country, with a lush jungles, high mountains, majestic rivers, friendly people, delicious food and a rich history. The multitude of activities also made the trip all the more appealing, ie kayaking, caving and of course cycling.::

Dec 21, 2004 – Mark Brickson:

My daughter, Molly, enjoyed her recent Laos adventure immensely. Thanks for providing the opportunity and the well organized activity. Quite frankly, I wasn’t even aware such trips were available, and was concerned about safety, logistics, etc., but it was a flawless trip. She has shared her photos and your Ophoto album, but tells us the pictures don’t begin to convey the true beauty of the region.::Thanks again and congratulations on making the career move to start the tour company. It is inspiring to see people take the risk and do what they love.::::P.S. I got a BeerLao t shirt and mug for my birthday!::– ::Mark Brickson::Director of Career Services::University of North Dakota School of Law::::::

Dec 27, 2004 – Dan:

Bob: Thanks for a seamless, well-organized trip. It was quite an adventure. A few images that come to mind are the spectacular karst scenery, basi ceremony, $3 hour-long massages, the spider the size of my hand, screaming through Bangkok in a tuk-tuk, snacking on crickets, swimming at Kuang Si Falls, friendly and inquisitive locals (some of whom greeted us with “OK” and “I love you”), sipping Beerlao on a slow boat on the Mekong, and of course, a group of adventurous, funny, extremely likable people.

Dec 29, 2004 – Gwyn

WOW! Laos was, simply put, spectacular. Travelling through villages and countryside that have yet to be touched by the outside world was an amazing and unique opportunity – and touring by bicycle, a first for me, was absolutely the best way to do it. Every village we passed through had a million stories. I won’t soon forget those killer mountains, the children running to greet us, the dog that flipped Molly over her handlebars (oops, is her Dad still reading the guest book?), the old women spinning on those spider-like contraptions, the paper-makers, the early morning Million Monk March, the chocolate croissants, the warm water bucket bath in Kiu Kachan, the impromptu Lao Lao dancing, the kayak races, wading waist deep through caves and jumping three storeys from that teetering tower to prove our Team Fun credentials, the ever-welcome sight of our travelling road-side cafe, Mr. Deng’s wild ride to the waterfalls, BoonYang in those cycling shorts, Ken rolling on the highway in laughter, the foot massages, the fun and the friendship. Thanks Bob – Let’s do it again!

Jan 15, 2005 -Chad

Bob, this site is great…like a dream on the web…can’t WAIT to join you for a trip to someplace beautiful….after the divorce, I guess…::::Best, ::::Chad James (a.k.a. the Love Doctor)

Mar 18, 2005 -Bob Peterson

Bob, thanks for speaking to the members of the Annapolis Bicycle Club about your fascinating tours. Based on the reaction of those present at the meeting, I would expect that you will be seeing some of our club members on your tours.::::Bob Peterson,::President, Annapolis Bicycle Club

May 5, 2005 – Kevin Aldrich

Spain was a pretty incredible experience for the newbie in the group. Views were fantastic – Lori said, “How beautiful” about every 5 minutes on the ride and I don’t think she said it often enough. And the opportunity to hang with Lonnie, TJ, Sharon, Jerry (a legend until this trip, and an fun guy thereafter), Beth, Deb, Bryan, my favorite dress-for-dinner-every-night-and-pull-Kevin-up-the-hill-the-next-day partners Kristin & Lori, Bob, and roomate/Sag Chief Sharif made an unforgettable experience even more magnificent.::::It’s a WHOLE lot of fun to be an adult and ride like a kid (although the hills are a bit higher than I remember.) Looking forward to seeing you folks again at RAGBRAI and other rides.::::Kevin

May 5, 2005 – TJ

Bob: WOW! What a wonderful trip Lonnie & I had with you and Sherif last week in Spain! I experienced my first mountain climb, my first mountain descent, and many, many more firsts in the form of great riding companions. You took a bunch of strangers and made friends out of us — what a gift! We have a ton of nursing home memories now and will send a CD of pics sometime next week. Look for us next year on your Corsica ride! TJ & Lonnie

May 6, 2005 – Debalina

How to Stay Young:::-Keep Learning::-Cherish your Health::-Enjoy the Simple Things::-Laugh Often, Long & Loud, and::-Tour the World with Far & Away Cycling!::Bob, thanks for the greatest adventure (thus far) in my life! Spain was fabulous.

Jun 9, 2005 – Jeff Campbell

Palm trees, waters of azure, snow-capped mountains…and all in a single viewing! Corsica is a cyclist’s, trekker’s and saltwater hound’s dream come true. Thanks to savvy, venerable and easy-going leadership, it was an experience to remember – cheers Bob!

Jun 11, 2005 – Jim & Lynda Bowen

We are veteran tourers with lots of miles on the old bike odometers, but our recent trip with Bob to Corsica was by far (and away!) the best ever. The reasons are endless, beautiful vista after beautiful vista, majestic mountainscapes, dazzling seascapes, gorgeous gorges, picturesque villages hung on cliffs, beaches in an array of colors – blue, sugar white, black, mottled pebble, and rocky gray – challenging climbs, thrilling descents, interesting places to stay, and great support, to name a few. Thank you Bob, and sag driver extraordinaire Jeff for an amazing journey !

Aug 9, 2005 – Doug Mack

“Bob, our trip with you to Corsica was simply wonderful. Far::surpassing anything that we’ve experienced so far in our travels around the::world and that’s not said lightly since we have done “sporting” and events::on all seven continents including Antarctica, the Arctic and New Zealand.::Your choice of the routes, in the mountains and along the seashore provided::both stunningly beautiful scenery as well as a cycling challenge.::The place where we overnighted and the food were superb! oh! yes, and the::SAG wagon support certainly went far and beyond the call of duty.::Maryvonne and I certainly thank you for such a favorably memorable biking::experience. To my wife, I will be forever indebted for making the::celebration of my 70th birthday, one I will never forget!::Thanks again Bob; and happy and safe cycling! Hopefully we will see you next:: September (2006) in Spain. Doug Mack, MD, MPH::::

Sep 14, 2005 – Marie Heroux

Bob::The Corsica trip was fantastic. We think of it every day since “Corsica” now adorns our walls !! You and Jeff made a great team. Thanks for all that you did. Hope to see you on another trip.

Oct 7, 2005 – Smitty

Dear Bob,::::Thank you for a great ride in Corsica. It was my most memorable for all the good smiles, miles and trials!! I hope to see you in Slovenia next Fall.::::Smitty::

Oct 11, 2005 – Kim Moore

Thanks, Bob, for coming to our club meeting in Richmond to talk about your company and the trips offered. The pictures and descriptions of the trips were fantastic. ::::For anyone interested in an engaging and entertaining presentation on cycling in unique and “far and away” places, you won’t be disappointed! Our members truly enjoyed it. ::::

Oct 24, 2005 Ken

Hello. Everyone.::Welcome to Laos and also Ban faen Laos authentic village where you will meet all very friendly people. we are honor that we will have you in our village soon.::Thanks for your dicision taking this trip to Laos.::We are all looking to seeing you all prety soon.::With all the very best wishes from Ken and people in laos.::

Dec 29, 2005 – Grace

Laos 2005 – a real adventure in all respects! I enjoyed the world class cycling and scenery, the friendly Lao people and culture, and a great group of fellow cyclists. You guys rock! The baschi ceremony was really special. Loved the long screaming descents. (I admit it was more fun remembering the tough climbs over a couple of cold BeerLao than actually doing them!) Thanks Bob! I’ll practice my kayaking skills and keep an eye out for a suitable replacement watch Grace

Jan 3, 2006 -Graeme

I hope you all had a good Xmas and new year.::John and I came home to some hot weather, like I thought we were going to get in Lao. It topped 100 here for Xmas.::It was great riding with all you guys. I enjoyed the Beer-lao especially after the bloody up hill to Kiewkacham, man what a climb. It all seams a bit surreal when your home, don’t it::You did a great job Bob. Thanks. I like to see a man who doesn’t get stressed. I did 489.5 Miles give or take a few. I can’t wait to see the elevations Patrick. ::Doing my first serious ride since Lao this Thursday 5 Jan. I don’t think I’m going to get many High 5′s from the Kids …Oh well.::For the rest of you who haven’t biked Lao ::Regards Graeme::::

Jan 4, 2006 -Jeff

All in all, I’ve struggled as much trying to explain the trip to people when they ask as I had trying to say no to another BeerLao. After a bit of rambling, I eventually tried to concentrate on breaking the story down into the cycling experience on one side and the Lao experience on the other. What a load of bollocks! The cycling experience was Laos and Laos was the cycling experience. Now, I simply smirk back in a devilish manner and tell them they’re just a gonna have to check it out for themselves! Cheers to all that were there and Happy 2006. Thanks for the experience Bob – hope to hook up again soon. [[Bodge: enjoy your ride this week, just keep'r outta the rhubarb on the downhills, yeah??!!]]

Jan 10, 2006 -jeff campbell

So how long does it take to develop a digital photograph….?::::Finally threw some pics online:::::http://www.nonstopgo.com/Pics/Laos::::Problems with Flash?::::http://www.nonstopgo.com/Pics/Laos2005/

Jan 15, 2006 -John Fleming

Hi Laos 2005 gang. Yep, was great trip. Forget petrol crises – Beer Lao is the new green energy alternative, or is the higher octane rating of lao-lao the fuel of the future. Seriously, sitting back at home, G & T in hand (Bombay Sapphire, Grace) watching an Aussie sunset, it’s hard not to relive the hard climbs, the hard beds and the (not so) hard drinking.::The warmth of the people, the fabulous scenerey and great companionship enjoyed on the ride are memories that’ll take a long time to fade -if ever. Thanks Bob, and everyone else.::Bob is Burma a goer ?::Graeme and I could always arrange a cycling sojourn down under if any of you guys are at a loose end around next Nov – Dec. Bob you might even feel like dropping in with a couple of coldies after you’ve done Laos later in the year – free Vegemite to all participants !!::Jeff there’s always a beer or four if you’re down this way, (when wll you get that photo site up and going). And yes Grace, there will always be a G& T waiting for you.::::To the casual reader who wasn’t there – Do It, go Laos 2006.::

Jun 6, 2006 – Chantal

I have just returned last night from your Slovenia trip, and absolutely loved it. The country is gorgeous, the food delicious and the people very friendly and helpful. Thank you for a great trip.

Sep 25, 2006 – patrick

Greetings from Spain! The weather is great, the scenery stunning. Just completed day two of the Andalucia tour. Todays distance was short, but challenging. Gladly, the pace has been relaxed…so much to see! The white villages are beautiful.

Oct 3, 2006 – Steve Langley

I had a wonderful time on the Corsica trip and really enjoyed the spirit::of the trip that you and Bob created; the belief that the journey no matter::how long or short creates the adventure andit’s not just going from point A::to B. It was such a bonus to have four Frenchspeakers on the trip and to haveto those personal conversations with native Corsicans translated to English,it added so much to the experience.:: ::

Oct 5, 2006 – Françoise

The daily schedule was perfect. I appreciated when you bicycled back to make sure I did not have any problem. In some tours I have done, the leader was most often with the fast bikers and I really did not like this.::::I hope to join you on another tour in the future.::::Gracias para la bicycletta caja.::::Françoise::

Oct 11, 2006 – Graeme Watkins

Godayall ::Howthebloodyhellareya. Did we have a good ride or what! What a great bunch of Blokes and Sheilas, especially the two that were stuck together, on the bike I mean. Wow, I takes me hat off to ya. Thanks for a great ride through the white villages in Spain bob. This guy has got to be the most laid back dude I know. He’s so laid back he’s horizontal. If I can catch up with any of you bikers on a ride somewhere it’ll be my pleasure. Thank your mother for the rabbits. ::Regards from down under. Graeme ::

Oct 17, 2006 – Gwyn

To those that have asked about Laos: Do it!::::It was a fabulous trip; and the window for this kind of experience in Laos is closing. At the moment, the roads are quite good, and except for the last day into Vientiane, the traffic is not bad. Moving through villages at cycling pace was perfect — leisurely enough that you could experience the ambience of the town (a thousand fascinating vignettes in every village) and not so slow as to be intrusive. The people are warm and friendly, and not calloused against foreigners. We were still a novelty for the people who saw us; kids came running from three fields away to say Sabaidee! :::: ::::This is by no means a luxury tour (it’s better! It’s real!). Some of the guest-houses were quite rustic – one could do an interesting comparison of plumbing fixtures through the different regions – but the idiosyncrasies of each place was part of the charm. And one discovers that a hot bucket shower after a tough ride in the rain is one of life’s great experiences! One of the most interesting places we stayed didn’t even have a guesthouse — we were billeted out with families in the hometown of Bob’s local guide, and made to feel really at home.:::: ::::None of us got sick from the food or the places we stayed. Somebody brought a cold, but most of us avoided it.:::: ::::The ride covers a fair territory, and is mostly mountainous – some of the scenery was spectacular. In the end, I actually much preferred that terrain to the flat ride on the final day.:::: ::::The trip includes great side attractions – we had a great time kayaking and spelunking one day.:::: ::::This was my first cycling trip, but it won’t be my last. Bob’s the best. His style is low-key; he lets people travel and explore at their own pace, while making sure that all of the basics are covered. You feel fully looked after, and never at a loss of things to do, without ever feeling smothered or over-organized.:::: ::::Have fun! :::: ::::::::

Jan 2, 2007 – Graeme

Sabaidee to all.::Having just returned from Lao for the second time plus a Spanish ride a few months earlier I’m about done for this year. The Spanish ride was a little more up market and refinded but no less enjojable than the Lao ride. Both were great. The weather in Lao was a little cooler but those hills are still there. It wouldn’t be a Lao or Spanish ride without them.::Thanks to the Bikers on both trips, thats what makes it such great fun. A glass of Red or a bottle of Beerlao after the ride swaping stories, and heaven forbid some Lowlao. Trying to take in what the eyes have see during the day, the mind boggles. Nice one again Bob khawp jqi lai lai::Well, better start planing for next year.::Regards to all Graeme Watkins::

Feb 22, 2007 – Howard

I remember very fondly our trip through Laos. It is not much hyperbole to say that it was an exhilerating life-changing experience::for me. I hope to take more trips in the future, perhaps::on one of your other adventure trips.