As I write this, I am catapulted back to 2016, when we were embarking on our two year adventure in Thailand. That first blog was so rosy and hopeful and so very naive. Frankly, if we had known more, Rick and I probably would have opted for a “safer” choice. Luckily, we did not and our lives were forever changed by the ups and downs of living in a culture so very different from our own. I have never regretted it for a moment.
And now we are embarking on a different sort of adventure. An adventure for which we are possibly overly hopeful and optimistic. In fact, it’s possible we have been completely naive. But, we’re doing it anyway. What did that one person say that one time? “Feel the fear and do it anyway.”
In just three short weeks, we will be flying to Lisbon, Portugal, with our own bikes (boxed according to airline guidelines) where we will begin a 10 week “Bike Pack” trip to Amsterdam, Netherlands. We are doing this alone – no guided group. However, we are working with HC Tours to create our route for the first two weeks, and then from there, we will navigate and plan everything independently. But even the first two weeks will not be supported. We are just getting a GPS file from our new best friend, Aigars.
So let’s get the numbers straight:
Rick: nearly 61
Liz: nearly 60
Days cycling: 60-65
Miles per day: 30-50
Total miles: approx 1500 miles
Luggage carried on each bike: 20-35 lbs (still working that out)
Number of trains taken (to rest sore behinds): As many as needed
So, what’s our Why? So simple. We are not getting any younger.
And, the other reason. I’m betting everybody out there has this other reason too. It’s that “thing.” That thing we wanted to do right after we finished college and before we settled into our work lives and started a family. But, somehow it didn’t happen. We got jobs and got busy and WE JUST DIDN’T DO IT.
So with my creaky knees and Rick’s brand new hip, we’re doing it. I mean, we’re already over the hill so it’s a downhill ride, right? That’s a really good thing for cyclists.
Thank God for Naive Optimism.
Gonzo Girl 
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