We liked the old Far and Away site. It was slightly funky, but fun to work on and a labor of love.

The new site is easier to navigate, rotates pictures randomly and will be possible to update more often. We've retained what was good from the old site and have built it into something better.

We never anticipated that anyone would sign up for back to back tours. The tours were simply scheduled in a manner that was cost effective to put them on.

In 2006, Brian T, Jerry N and Mari C got the ball rolling with with Corsica/Slovenia and Corsica/Spain doubles. The 2007 schedule allows the following pairings: Corsica/Slovenia, Spain/Slovenia and Laos/Vietnam.

Six more people appear to be joining the club in 2007. Almost all club members had been on at least one tour before taking the back to back challenge. Is it possible that someone may eventually go for a tri-fecta?

What better place to have an F&A mini-reunion than at Bike Virginia's 20th Anniversary event? F&A grads are coming from as far as Canada and Maine and we'll keep working on the boys from down under.

The 2007 edition of BV visits Hopewell and Williamsburg, Virginia. There will be plenty to do and see in addition to the cycling. If you haven't already made plans to attend, give it some thought and if you are an alumni and plan to attend, drop us a note asap.

Just like in Vietnam where the unique ride to Lai Chau will be under a few hundred feet of water due to a new dam under construction, changes are going on all the time in Laos.

Lao veterans will be interested to know that a third bridge is now slated to be built over the Mekong (the current two are at Pakse and Vientiane) at none other than Chaing Khong! Chaing Khong is where we pack our gear in small boats for the crossing into Laos.

It's progress, but for anyone who is attracted to the "step back in time" aspect of Laos, sooner may be a lot better than later.