Monday, July 30, 2007

Yesterday we got A's motorbike started - it's been in storage while we have been away. We drained the float bowls and it started on the second push (we had to bump start it :). This morning we took it into the shop to get the MOT done...and it's got an electrical problem, so it might be a couple of days before it's ready to ride) and it needs insurance and tax in addition to the MOT). But it's transport! :) And it is a great bike to ride - I have missed fast motorcycles :):):) Ah, I love motorbikes!!! and so does A - she was giggling the whole 30 minute ride back from the storage to where we are staying now (we took the curvy back roads, of course :)

It looks, on paper, like we have a lot of free time, but we feel like we are so busy! Always someone to hook up with or something to do. I have been squeezing in the reading books and magazines, trying to get back into the swing of things. I am working on the Tibet photos, too - they are in Photobucket, but I have to add the comments to post them here. I am also looking into some writing about our trip....I hope I can get some of it out there in the world.

It's nice to be back in the UK...but I miss London a lot, that is where I feel at home. Everything is so clean and neat and tidy! And the pubs are SMOKE FREE!!! That is one thing that makes a huge difference, it's the one thing I have always disliked about pubs. We made our pilgrimage to the Nag's Head and had a half of Broadside (we were out on the bicycles and we still had a ways to ride :)

We eat way too much food! Everything is so good or we haven't had it for ages or some other excuse. It's a struggle, but we have been out on our bicycles (with the recent Tour de France videos playing in our heads :) and riding hard, riding into the wind, riding up the biggest hills we can find or just attacking the not so big hills that are around :) Our legs are feeling stronger, our lungs are not letting us down and we are doing a good job at burning off everything that we eat (we are trying, anyway :).

The TdF was a bit frustrating again this year...cycling does need to get it's act together. There is a lot of collateral damage caused by individual riders and I feel bad for the riders that were caught up in the mess and didn't have any control over how their tour ended - it's like being taken down by a crash in the bunch! I am glad that there was a real battle to watch in the final time trial, though - wow, that was awesome!

OK...back to the photos :) Later!

Monday, July 23, 2007

The Road Across Tibet Photos - The Ride to Nepal, Day 3 and 4