The first few days on the bike

Dear friends, family and followers,

Since the 27th of June Aike and I are on our way back to The Netherlands. We started at Venice, and cycled the first day about 96 km through flat fields through the Riviéra. It was quiet beautiful, lots of birds, flowers and following the river. The weather was sunny and a bit windy, and very nice! A bit sunburn, and after 30 km my but start to hurt, because of the saddle ;-).
Aike and I were a good team, he’s good at finding his way, and I’m handy, as it appears. The first morning we had some troubles in the first hour: Aike’s key was round shaped and almost broken, but I had seen a repairman, who fixed it in no time. After that, it was my turn. I had a flat tire, and put a new tire on my bike. Actually it was Aike’s turn, but I broke a screw underneath my saddle, when I tried to fasten it a bit more (I’m getting in shape and getting stronger ;-)). The bicycle repairman fixed it . And then we were off to Bassano da Grappa. There we stayed in a nice hostel and get lost in the dark city.
Bassano da Grappa is a beautiful, medieval city with an old wooden bridge. Unfortunately something happened that we didn’t had on our rout: we got lost. In the end we found our hostel back and enjoyed the sleep.

The next day was actually a bit horrible. I was not in shape at all! And had the feeling like my bike was glued to the path. There were some climbs and I was pretty slow. But it was okay, ate some food, enjoyed the view at the Dolomites (the Italian part of the Alps). The way was basicly straight on, and in the morning we had no idea if we would get at our last stop. 20km from our stop we had a break, because we were very hungry. Aike managed to get an elastic rope (spin in Dutch) in his front wheel. After the gentle lunch, it was more clear how to get the rope out of the front wheel: just take the front wheel out, unwrap the rope and put the wheel back. It was a hard day, but Aike and I talked a lot and had fun anyway. Somehow we managed to cycle 76km and get to the end of the route for that day: Caldonazzo. Set up the tent and cooked some food. And try to go to bed early.

The 29th we cycled about 74 km next to the Brenta. It was a good day, and we enjoyed. Even the wind couldn’t spoil it, to blow from the wrong direction. We were in shape again and cycled nice and gently. The road was good, there was not so much traphic and there were some beautiful cities on the way: such as a Castelerizo. We cycled only round the town, ‘cause the best part is the medieval Wall. And it’s sad, but for good days there’s not so much to talk about, accept that it gives you a happy feeling. And you have the feeling it’s holiday!

Sunday was a ‘lazy Sunday’. We had a day rest and cycled 45km. It was a good trip, and finally we kept up the speed. We followed the Brenta for a long time and passed a few towns. The day ended in Merano, an old city. We did some laundry and enjoyed the day off. We walked through the city, ate some icecream, were a bit lazy and cooked a meal.

Yesterday it was Monday, and we had the Mondaymorning feeling. Even on holiday it likes to grab you. Aike was a bit sick, but we decided that Merano was a one-day city, not a place where we wanted to stay for a longer time. We packed our stuff, and got on the road again. But I didn’t felt really well either, and after 10km we had a break and decided that we would stop at the fist camping on the route. I took some stuff of Aike, because usually he has more stuff on his bike (two bags on front). It was a funny feeling. It makes your bike heavier, but for some reason also a bit more stable. And finally I felt the muscles in my belly. I haven’t felt them for a long time :-).
At the camping site we set up the tent, lay down a bit, took a lovely shower and enjoyed the view on the Alps. In the evening it was a bit raining, so I stole some electricity from the (empty) play hall downstairs.

Today we stayed another day in Naturno. I was a little sick, but it’s going better now. I read a lot, and slept too. And the plan for tomorrow: we will see, it’s holiday.

Oh, and for the people who like to know: I signed in for a minor at Bangor University, and like to take the modules: Ice and Ocean, Coastal Water Processes and Extreme Marine Habitats. We will see if I get accepted or not. But if so, I will go from September until February to Bangor, near Liverpool. A bit more near my lovely girlfriend.

Have fun, and enjoy!
Jak