The Wobbling Sprocket

This will be Janine’s first tour (with us anyway).  Janine started off with wanting Spain (which is full) and I suggested Croatia as a good alternative and she is going for 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.

This will be Hope’s first tour.  Son Greg, has been to India previously.  Greg, no doubt, has provided the inside scoop.  He just signed up for Croatia as well.

Hope is a relatively recent convert to biking, but she is the athletic type.   She’s done the Birkebeiner cross country skiing thing in Minnesota several times.  She used to speed skate as a kid.

She has me lined up to come speak to her bike club, the Elmhurst Bike Club next week.   I appreciate that.   Elmhurst is my old stomping ground.

As some of you know, Hope is my sister and Greg, is my nephew.  Their family is getting a full dose of Far and Away:   husband and Dad, Mike H, is signed up for Laos.  We’re thrilled.

Greg and Hope. Not sure where this is....on a bridge somewhere.

Greg...slaloming through the monkeys in India. Greg, sorry, no monkeys in Croatia....just truffles.

Today is the last round up.  We have 105 k or so to VTE.

We tried to get an an early start by eating noodle soup at the junction nearby rather than at the hotel.  That strategy backfired when we found everyone sleeping at the restaurant.

It was ok though.  Mr. Dom used the occasion to put on a hot pepper eating display.  He did 5 with his noodle soup.  Each carefully dipped in some fish paste.  Oh my!   If you have eaten one of these things by mistake, you certainly know what kind of performance eating 5 is.

25k from the end we stop at yet another floating restaurant.  This one actually moves.  We power up the Nam Ngum River and then float back.

It’s relaxing and fun.  The real fun is that I order fried cicadas for everyone to sample.  Guess what, after 18 days of riding in SE Asia…and eating the occasional hot pepper.  it’s a piece of cake.

Happy birthday to Mike E.  It is his birthday today!

We Made it trough and I would like to than everyone.

Kim, Mike, Kent and Dwight:  you guys were great.  Thank you also to Daolit.  Ms. May, Mr Dom, Mr Dan and Mr Hup and Mr.  Joe.  You guys do a great support job, we love being with you and thanks for sharing your countries.  It is NOT easy to ride a bike 700 miles through the mountains of Vietnam and Laos, but you know what they say, no pain, no gain.

Mr. Dom in action!

If you think fish paste makes these go down easier. Think again!

Ms Kim in action

Kent in action.

Kim taking a break

Down (we all were low at some point), but never out.

Floating restaurant....this tim efor lunch on the way to Vientiane. We have been on a LOT of boats!

Before (cicadas)

During

Going down

Kim is a doctor. She knows medicinal value when she meets it.

GONE! Not quite, but good enough.

That last bug did it. Sweet dreams.

Triumpant entry into Vientiane. That is a gift from the French in 1904 behind us.

Thanks again guys! Have a safe journey home! and thanks to Mr Dwight for donating his bike to Daolit.