Bike All Packed. Now It's Time to Reassemble!!! :(
For those of you who don't know, to ship a bike on an airplane you have to pack up your bike. This involves going to a bike store and either getting a bike box or buying an expensive yet very durable bike case. Since I can't exactly carry a heavy and big case with me all over Europe I opted for the first choice. After staying up till 11:00PM the night before the trip packing up the box with everything I could possibly shove in there and wrapping the whole thing in duct tape to keep it from falling apart I put it into the car and drove it to JFK Airport.
After checking in at Aer Lingus I went to go drop my box off at the luggage screening site and they told me they were going to have to open up the box and search it. My Dad, who was standing next to me at the time, immediately was beset by a stern frown. I said, to myself, do what you got to do but you damn well better put it all back together and it all better fit.
Long story short, it came through perfectly fine, if a little banged up, but overall in fine working order. When I arrived in Limerick I literally found a little park, with a tree for shade and set down on the grass and starting assembling the bike. The whole process took me about half an hour, granted I didn't remove the racks from the frame for shipping. The ONE PROBLEM I ran into was pumping up the tires. My tiny little pump just couldn't cut it so I wandered around the city for an hour asking people if they knew about any bikes shops. With luck I found one and quickly pumped the tires up with a floor pump.
After that I rode around the city, twice!! Well I'm off to do some adventuring. Until next time and as always, ride hard!
After checking in at Aer Lingus I went to go drop my box off at the luggage screening site and they told me they were going to have to open up the box and search it. My Dad, who was standing next to me at the time, immediately was beset by a stern frown. I said, to myself, do what you got to do but you damn well better put it all back together and it all better fit.
Long story short, it came through perfectly fine, if a little banged up, but overall in fine working order. When I arrived in Limerick I literally found a little park, with a tree for shade and set down on the grass and starting assembling the bike. The whole process took me about half an hour, granted I didn't remove the racks from the frame for shipping. The ONE PROBLEM I ran into was pumping up the tires. My tiny little pump just couldn't cut it so I wandered around the city for an hour asking people if they knew about any bikes shops. With luck I found one and quickly pumped the tires up with a floor pump.
After that I rode around the city, twice!! Well I'm off to do some adventuring. Until next time and as always, ride hard!
My Friend Called. Do You Know How to Change a Flat?
My good friend, Mk, called me today and asked me to help her change a flat tire on the bike. EEK. Hold the phone. Me, a big time cycling maniac can't change a tire. Yeah, it's a little embarrassing to admit but it had to be done sooner or later. Over the years, I've tried learning how to change a tire and I understand what's involved and how to do it. But whenever I try to do myself, something always winds up exploding (usually the inner tube). Just another something to keep in mind as my departure date draws closer and another thing to add to the list of things to learn before leaving.
13 Countries = 13 Cultures = A Rather Large Headache
As a great professor once said, and then said again as I wasn't listening the first time: "Are you telling me that this school's business program doesn't have a inter-cultural course?"
Well, I'll be honest, I'm entirely sure he said anything of the sort as the class is right after lunch and I get off work right before the class. But the point carries forward regardless. During my time in CNUs Luter School of Business, it never once occurred to me the value of an inter-cultural course teaching future business leaders this important skill. For all the students, professionals and families who have ever travelled into a foreign country, you know the importance of knowing at least the basics of the cultural and language where your traveling.
Now what if someone told you that on top of a full-schedule of classes, studying for the GMAT and looking for your first job out of college, you had to learn the basics of 13 countries cultures and language skills. HA. I would look at that person and laugh and laugh until I was hoarse. Unfortunately, that very same person whose making me laugh is indeed myself and that I'm trying my very best to tackle this mountainous challenge.
However, if you happen to be reading and you've been to one of the countries or cities listed on the Home page, I would love to hear of anything to keep my eye out for, or anything unusual in which most tourists do wrong. Feel free to go outside the box on this one!
Well, I'll be honest, I'm entirely sure he said anything of the sort as the class is right after lunch and I get off work right before the class. But the point carries forward regardless. During my time in CNUs Luter School of Business, it never once occurred to me the value of an inter-cultural course teaching future business leaders this important skill. For all the students, professionals and families who have ever travelled into a foreign country, you know the importance of knowing at least the basics of the cultural and language where your traveling.
Now what if someone told you that on top of a full-schedule of classes, studying for the GMAT and looking for your first job out of college, you had to learn the basics of 13 countries cultures and language skills. HA. I would look at that person and laugh and laugh until I was hoarse. Unfortunately, that very same person whose making me laugh is indeed myself and that I'm trying my very best to tackle this mountainous challenge.
However, if you happen to be reading and you've been to one of the countries or cities listed on the Home page, I would love to hear of anything to keep my eye out for, or anything unusual in which most tourists do wrong. Feel free to go outside the box on this one!
Multi-Cultural Comic
Taking Your Bike on the Train
Much of the planning I've up until this point has been the general outline, city to city, of the route I plan on taking. I've added in a few of the major attraction I want to see along the route but for the most part, have let it very much open to whatever whim I may be experiencing at the time. Whether that will be ancient ruins, museums or the local cuisine, only time will tell. As part of my outline, I've come across areas in which I wasn't all that excited about cycling through and have found ways of catching a train out of the last major to the next stop along the route. So far there are 4 of these trains along the way in which will speed my along my way.
My question: Am I allowed to take my bike (in full or partly disassembled) onto the trains? And if so, do I need to buy a different kind of ticket?
For the most part, with the exception of my plane tickets, I'm not buying any tickets or renting any rooms in advance just to make the trip feel more adventurous and give it that edge that only comes from new experience. Plus, it will give me an opportunity to practice my non-existent language skills. Which at the moment consist of English, my native language, and Spanish, of which I have studied for the past 7 years or so. Regardless, I need to find an answer to my question and from what I've found online, the answer could go either way. Thoughts readers?
My question: Am I allowed to take my bike (in full or partly disassembled) onto the trains? And if so, do I need to buy a different kind of ticket?
For the most part, with the exception of my plane tickets, I'm not buying any tickets or renting any rooms in advance just to make the trip feel more adventurous and give it that edge that only comes from new experience. Plus, it will give me an opportunity to practice my non-existent language skills. Which at the moment consist of English, my native language, and Spanish, of which I have studied for the past 7 years or so. Regardless, I need to find an answer to my question and from what I've found online, the answer could go either way. Thoughts readers?
Times Zones, Water and International Mail
This week I've really been brainstorming and thinking about some of the problems I need to address before leaving, if not solve entirely.
1. The first one of these is issues deals with Time zones. At the moment I'm living in Eastern Standard Time (USA) which is 5 hours behind my first destination (Shannon, Ireland). Things become more complicated because I plan on traveling to additional time zones on my trip moving between an additional 3 time zones.
2. The second issue is water. For Ireland and the UK, I'm not all that worried. But as for the rest of the trip, Europe isn't exactly known for its abundant supplies of clean water. And to make matters worse, I will be cycling/strenuously exerting myself for the majority of the trip. This means I'm going to need to consume a considerable amount of water over the duration of the summer and I will need a mobile source as I won't be in the same location for long. Of course, there is always bottled water, but I feel that could quickly become and expensive line-of-thinking. Thoughts anyone?
3. The third and final topic for today's rant is international mailing. I am aware that I will most likely come across items on my adventure in which I will be unable to control my "buyer's impulse". However, too many of these "impulses" may quickly raise concern as whatever I purchase I will have to load onto the bike. This means the one thing I was hoping to avoid: excess weight. This solution I proposed is stopping by at a post-office once every week or so and sending a small, light package home-bound (and maybe even a little something for people who follow my blog during the adventure... hint hint). However, when I looked up international shipping fares on low-weight packages they were well outside my price-range. Any alternative ideas out there?
1. The first one of these is issues deals with Time zones. At the moment I'm living in Eastern Standard Time (USA) which is 5 hours behind my first destination (Shannon, Ireland). Things become more complicated because I plan on traveling to additional time zones on my trip moving between an additional 3 time zones.
2. The second issue is water. For Ireland and the UK, I'm not all that worried. But as for the rest of the trip, Europe isn't exactly known for its abundant supplies of clean water. And to make matters worse, I will be cycling/strenuously exerting myself for the majority of the trip. This means I'm going to need to consume a considerable amount of water over the duration of the summer and I will need a mobile source as I won't be in the same location for long. Of course, there is always bottled water, but I feel that could quickly become and expensive line-of-thinking. Thoughts anyone?
3. The third and final topic for today's rant is international mailing. I am aware that I will most likely come across items on my adventure in which I will be unable to control my "buyer's impulse". However, too many of these "impulses" may quickly raise concern as whatever I purchase I will have to load onto the bike. This means the one thing I was hoping to avoid: excess weight. This solution I proposed is stopping by at a post-office once every week or so and sending a small, light package home-bound (and maybe even a little something for people who follow my blog during the adventure... hint hint). However, when I looked up international shipping fares on low-weight packages they were well outside my price-range. Any alternative ideas out there?
Keeping in Touch Overseas
Apple iPad
Without modern technology, like computers, cell phones, and the internet keeping in touch with your friends and family and sharing your experiences with them while overseas can be quite impossible, with the exception of good 'ole snail mail.
Well, with the recent rise of wireless hot spots in Europe it might now be all the difficult after all. But the question becomes how to take advantage of this new found development. My proposed solution... the Apple iPad. Just like any other computer, the Apple iPad has the ability to connect to the internet. And that in combination with applications like Skype makes it that much easier to call someone with nothing but a wireless connection and an internet-enabled device.
But my question for all you [non-existent] readers out there, is it worth shilling out the six or seven hundred [US] dollars? Sure, the Apple iPad looks and even sounds nice, but is it the right tool to bring on a long distance bike trip. My answer: YES. Not only can you use the Apple iPad as a phone but you can then use its many applications in areas such as: A language aid (in lieu of a dictionary), a map (in lieu of hard copy ones) and a way to find local attractions, just to name a few.
Well, with the recent rise of wireless hot spots in Europe it might now be all the difficult after all. But the question becomes how to take advantage of this new found development. My proposed solution... the Apple iPad. Just like any other computer, the Apple iPad has the ability to connect to the internet. And that in combination with applications like Skype makes it that much easier to call someone with nothing but a wireless connection and an internet-enabled device.
But my question for all you [non-existent] readers out there, is it worth shilling out the six or seven hundred [US] dollars? Sure, the Apple iPad looks and even sounds nice, but is it the right tool to bring on a long distance bike trip. My answer: YES. Not only can you use the Apple iPad as a phone but you can then use its many applications in areas such as: A language aid (in lieu of a dictionary), a map (in lieu of hard copy ones) and a way to find local attractions, just to name a few.
Go Left. No, I mean right.
I was doing a little research into cycling GPS/cylometers and they're seem to be a whole variety of types. I started my search at REI: http://www.rei.com/category/4500105
The first impression I got as a broke college student is that all of them seem to cost an arm and a leg, and possibly my first child. Luckily, I have enough money to not have to worry too much about those kind of restrictions. Some of the features I need in a GPS are:
Barometric measurements
Speed
Distance
Waterproof/resistant
Rechargeable Battery
Programmable location/path
And of course, to work in Europe
If anyone knows of any good touring cyclometers or cycling computers that they would recommend, please let me know.
The first impression I got as a broke college student is that all of them seem to cost an arm and a leg, and possibly my first child. Luckily, I have enough money to not have to worry too much about those kind of restrictions. Some of the features I need in a GPS are:
Barometric measurements
Speed
Distance
Waterproof/resistant
Rechargeable Battery
Programmable location/path
And of course, to work in Europe
If anyone knows of any good touring cyclometers or cycling computers that they would recommend, please let me know.
My Stomach Already Doesn't Like Me.
I was sitting in the office of my Auditing professor today and we were talking about my up coming bike trip and she made a very interesting and disturbing comment: I was born in Germany and even I don't drink the tap water. Well if you use the old adage of 8oz of water/every 10 miles, that adds up to a whole lot of water over the course of the ride. So the question is, how do you deal with the inability to drink the water issue?
Her suggestion, which I'm sure to follow up on, was a special pill which you take which allows you to drink and eat as if you had been drinking the water since birth. The only downside, she couldn't remember the name of the pill. Any ideas people?
Her suggestion, which I'm sure to follow up on, was a special pill which you take which allows you to drink and eat as if you had been drinking the water since birth. The only downside, she couldn't remember the name of the pill. Any ideas people?
