Life On a Bike and a $10 (euro) Bill

Each mile passed makes it feel more like an adventure. Our goodbyes were said, not always easily, but the excitement of the horizon soon emerged.

Airport terminals are colorful places. In the same realm as food markets, they show the true personality of society and culture. Ultimately, every traveler is in the same boat; shuffling through security lines barefoot, catching up on their journaling, sleeping, reading, wrestling crosswords, or simply thinking.

Thinking gets done during travel. About the place you left, the place you're going, and the people who connect it all. Life is put into perspective. You are able to push back and appreciate.

Being apart brings people together. Each time I leave the people I love, my feelings grow stronger. The time spent physically together is more special, for sure. Soak those moments of togetherness.

Send off exhasution with endless thirst for more, more life, more learning, more loving. Feed your curiosity. Tenaciously live!

Day 4 and so far right on budget. 10 euro per day. The world's best cappucino = 1.30 euro. Fresh, homemade croissant = 1 euro. Prosciutto and mozzarella panino = 1.20 euro. This will be easy!
Until the 3,000 mile bike trip begins Calories, calories, calories.

So far in 3 days we have backpacked up Mt. Grappa, slept in an unheated mtn lodge, partied with the mountain folk on their annual winter festa in the Rifugio (mountain hut). We were treated like guests of honor. Fed homegrown olives soaked in salt, peperoncini, and herbs. Local wine from grapes grown in the back yard. Blueberry Grappa. Whoa! Alcohol content unknown.

We hitchhiked back to town after emerging from the bush. 75 year old Italian signore who spoke such thick dialect of the old language I understood 5%. Ha! He never stopped telling us stories the entire ride. He was pure joy. His parting words..."Bravi!"

The bikes have been retrieved from all corners of Europe, and now we are due ragazzi e due bici! (two guys two bikes) Plan to leave tomorrow, heading South toward the distant Sicily. 700+ miles. The locals all think we're crazy, riding and camping in Winter. My answer "We're from Iowa!" They love our gusto, and everyone we meet wants to be on the team. Giving us snacks, pats on the backs, and tips on the Italian landscape to come. If anyone understands our mission, it's the old timers in the bike shop. They were us once. In their primes. Tackling any challenge. As quickly as they jokingly give us a hard time and say we're nuts, they jump into serious conversation and analysis about our gear, our route, our bikes.

Big shout-out to Zamar Sport bike shop in Castelfranco, Veneto. Luciano is an owner who still gets his hands dirty and lives tenaciously. A pillar of fortitude in the local cycling culture. Head mechanic, Michele, is very thorough and one of the most savvy mechanics I have seen. They love the fact that their work is contributing on such a grand adventure. You rock guys!

Of course, I wouldn't know Zamar without Ron Palazzo, my cycling mentor. Thank you Renato! Pedale forte!

I wouldn't be here, embarking on this life-changing journey, without you all. Friends, family, acquaintences, and total strangers. For it is the people of the world that drive me to go out and experience it firsthand. Grazie!