Beautiful biking trip to southern Spain. Spent two days ahead of our group ride in Granada – touring the city and Alhambra. Then met our Trek group – 12 riders and two leaders. I was the only American! Three couples from Australia, two couples from Vancouver, and a solo rider from France (by way of Denver!).
We spent two nights at a beautiful hotel – La Bobadilla. We road two trips from there. Then went on to Ronda for 3 nights. Each day was an exploration from Ronda. This included a climb up Puerto de las Palomas (a Tour de Espana segment).
We enjoyed olive oil tasting at a very modern and progressive facility (LA), wine tasting, a flamenco performance, and lots of wonderful food (I ate tapas whenever I could – my favorite was the roasted baby artichokes). Trek Travel did a wonderful job of logistics and assisting the group. I got to ride an awesome bike – a Domane +.
I finished up with an extra day in Seville – toured the City and the old Jewish Quarter. Overall a great trip – wonderful folks to ride with, perfect weather, and a great place to ride a bike on country roads.
Olive Oil Tasting – LADay 2Day 5Day 1Day 4Remnant of Synagogue – SevilleSevilleSevilleSevilleSevilleAlcazar GardensAlcazar GardensNoting Sephardic Remnant/ArtifactEntrance to Jewish Quarter – SevilleJew StreetMarket – SevilleSevillePaseo de las PalomasPaella a la CarlosBlue City! (Smurf Blue)CorkRondaRondaRondaRondaRonda (Minaret)RondaRondaRondaRondaRondaRondaRondaRondaOlive Trees at LARondaRondaRondaRondaOlive Trees! A far as the eye can see.Our Hotel – La Bobadilla in LojaOur Hotel – La Bobadilla in LojaOur Hotel – La Bobadilla in LojaWildflowers along the RoadsAlhambra, GranadaGranadaGranadaGranadaAlhambra, GranadaAlhambra, GranadaGranadaGranadaGranadaGranadaGranadaAlhambra, GranadaGranadaGranadaGranadaAlhambra, GranadaAlhambra, GranadaAlhambra, GranadaAlhambra, GranadaAlhambra, GranadaAlhambra, GranadaAlhambra, GranadaAlhambra, GranadaAlhambra, GranadaAlhambra, GranadaAlhambra, GranadaAlhambra, GranadaAlhambra, GranadaAlhambra, GranadaAlhambra, GranadaAlhambra, GranadaAlhambra, GranadaAlhambra, GranadaAlhambra, Granada
What a wonderful ride along the Katy Trail! A total of about 225 miles across the State of Missouri – mostly along the Missouri River. John and I took 6 days to ride and sightsee. We were both pleasantly surprised at how beautiful the scenery was. Not corn fields the whole way, but beautiful old forests along the river, impressive cliffs, old rail bridges and tunnels, and a well-maintained trail. Bonus – the people along the trail were very nice and it is apparent the trail has been a boon to local commerce.
We stayed at small hotels and B&Bs in towns along the way. It was great to see small-town America, visit the oldest wine-growing area in the US, and taste a few glasses of local vintage. We did a self-guided tour through Crossroads Bike Tours. They did a very nice job. Oh, and we couldn’t have had better weather. We had a few afternoon sprinkles, but no serious rain until after the ride in St Charles!
Katy TrailArt Along the TrailKaty TrailThe Mighty MOThe Mighty MOThe Mighty MOKaty TrailThe Mighty MOThe Mighty MOKaty TrailThe Finish!The Finish!The Finish!The Finish!St Charles, MOSt Charles, MOSt Charles, MOSt Charles, MO
The George S. Mickelson Trail traverses over 100 (about 110 miles of riding) glorious miles of the Black Hills of South Dakota. A former rail line, the trail crosses more than 100 railroad bridges and goes through four tunnels. I had the pleasure of traveling with my cycling buddy – John Thomas.
We drove from Denver to Deadwood where we began our journey. This was our first real overnight bike trip (I had many such trips – but almost 50 years ago!) So, we decided to take three days to ride. Hardcore riders can do it in one day. We wanted to enjoy the ride and scenery. We carried our clothing and supplies but stayed in some easy-going South Dakota motels.
The weather was perfect, the trail was in great shape and the scenery and companionship were wonderful. We arranged a shuttle to take us back from the southern end of the trail in Edgemont and enjoyed an evening and a great steak in Deadwood (and a few cold beers).
Ed at the start of the Mickelson Trail (Deadwood, SD)John Thomas at the start of the Mickelson Trail (Deadwood, SD)Ed & John Thomas at the start of the Mickelson Trail (Deadwood, SD)Ed on the Mickelson TrailJohn Thomas on the Mickelson TrailJohn along the trailLots of old bridges to cross.And old rail tunnels to go thru!View of Crazy Horse from the trail.Abandoned mine along the Mickelson TrailTypical view along the trail!Everyone needs a barbed wire collection!Our ride home?
Our stay in Florence – took the train from Rome, spent several days in the old city and a day in the Tuscan hills – bicycling and visiting wineries. Also took a bike trip through Florence one morning. Gorgeous city – like living in the 1500’s. Lots of churches, galleries, statues, great food, great wine, gelato, doors and amazing ceilings!
Walking tour of Saigon — cooking lesson — and head to the airport! The War Remnant Museum was probably the site of the most anti-American propaganda we saw — my sense is that most Vietnamese recognize it as purely propaganda.
Presidential Palace
Soldiers deployed – basement of the palace was the war room
Building where last helicopter from Saigon left from before the fall of the city
Beautiful old Post Office
Uncle Ho at the Post Office
Saigon market
Small restaurant where we had our final cooking class
WE made salads, pho, pork chop and various fish sauce concoctions!
A day of Buddhist shrines, a massive cemetery, driving over a major mountain pass to DaNang, a quick ride in DaNang to an area known for marble carvings, and then a drive to Hoi An.
Hue in distance
Fishing boats
Local woven boat
Buddhist shrine
Cemetary
Cemetary
Grave paintings
Cemetary
Cemetary dragon
Chloe at cemetary
Vietmanese coffee. Yummy! Very strong drip coffee with condensed milk
