In July we loaded up whatever could fit onto the back of our bikes β acoustic guitar, a small library of novels, a foldable kitchen sink, and our two furry co-pilots β and pedaled into the unknown.
Neither of us had ever changed a flat tire before, but we had the vague notion to cycle from Belgium to Australia. Eighteen months and 25 flat tires later we had cycled over 17, kilometres through 18 countries, experiencing an unforgettable, life affirming ride. We were further away from Australia than when we started, but that was beside the pointβ¦. Quiet village roads, cycle paths galore, hassle free border crossings, regular bicycle shops, great food, great wine.
Europe is probably the easiest continent on Earth to try your legs at cycle touring. Click on a country name to check out highlights, handy links and musings. We pedaled higher and deeper into the mountains until the sweat trickling down our faces gave off an icy chill. It was May in the majestic peaks of the Italian Dolomites and a fresh one metre dump of snow was made all the more beautiful by a string of sunny days that had turned the sky into a deep blue canvas.
Read onβ¦. As we continued on roads littered with the spiky fruit of the chestnut trees, we realised our days were falling into a familiar pattern: wake up in the dark for a frosty tent pack upβ¦ swear at the frosty weather gods for our numb fingered agonyβ¦ sweat it out on mountain roadsβ¦ climb up a ridiculously steep hill into a cobblestoned townβ¦ find a bakery to liberate some of our little sugar covered friendsβ¦ praise the beautiful blue skies and apologise for swearing at the weather gods earlier on.
Read moreβ¦. Not far from the ornate and lavish interior of Seville, where the stylish and bohemian turn boulevards of orange trees into 24 hour catwalks, dingy apartment blocks and cheap housing sprawl through a tangle of highways.
