Four Months to Go
April 26 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Three years ago I had the privilege of being part of a group of Ghostriders exploring the Nivernais Canal from Decize to Joigny. We had already completed a challenging ride around the Five Countries, a bike and barge tour along the Moselle, a ride along the upper Danube from Donaueschingen to Ulm and finally a ride around Lake Constance.
The ride along the Nivernais was something of an afterthought. None of us knew anything about this route, other than the fact that it was well off the so called "beaten track". It turned out to an absolute highlight and was a very welcome change after the much busier routes we had followed earlier.
After our 2024 ride along the Elbe and Danube from Hamburg to Vienna, I looked for another epic ride to follow it up with. Since this ride would almost certainly be our last extended ride in Europe, I wanted it to be truly memorable. I had already ridden the Loire from Nevers to Le Croisic in 2013, 2015 and 2019, so I already knew how special that ride was, however I wanted to add something extra as a prologue to the main event. When I studied the map, I made the discovery that Decize was actually only a day's ride from Nevers. That meant that it would be easily possible to combine a ride along the Nivernais with a ride along the Loire. Each of these rides could be undertaken separately, or combined together to make an unforgettable journey across the centre of France.
Many months were then spent planning the itinerary and seeking out a local partner who could handle the complex logistics for us. At times It looked like the plan really was going to be a "bridge too far", however eventually all the pieces came together and I was able to announce that yet another cycling adventure was available to anyone who wanted to share it with me.
It is customary to choose a name for every adventure, and this one was no exception. In fact I came up with, not one, but two names. The first section (The Prologue) from Joigny to Nevers would be called The French Connection, while the main ride along the Loire from Nevers to Le Croisic would be called The Nevers Again. This name was a play on the fact that we would be returning to Nevers, and also that it would be our final long distance ride in Europe.
When I released the plans to the group, all the places were quickly filled. In fact, we formed three groups, all of whom would be following the same itinerary, but starting two days apart,
Now that we only have four months to go till we finally get underway, the long period of planning is almost over, although the past two months have thrown us a few unexpected challenges, as I will explain in the next footprint.Read more
Bumps in the Road
May 12 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
After putting together almost 60 previous Ghostrider overseas adventures, I have learnt one thing - that it isn't over till it's over.
It seems that just when you think that all the little ducks are finally all lined up, then we are thrown some sort of a late curveball. In the past this has taken all sorts of forms. Sometimes it is a surprise failure of a part of my body that has never given me trouble before. Sometimes it is one (or more) of our participants having a medical emergency.
Just before our 2023 European rides, one of the ladies fell over in her own shower and broke her femur. Her trip was over before it started.
On our 2024 Epic Elbe Ride, another of our riders fell over while sightseeing around Hamburg. She never even got to get on a bike. She spent the next several weeks in a hospital having surgery to repair her broken leg.
This trip has actually been almost two years in the making, and I have repeatedly instructed our participants to take care. The last thing I want is yet another, pre trip casualty.
And yet here we are, with a little over three months to go till we finally get underway, and we find that the biggest threat comes from the inept, orange faced muppet that is occupying the White House in America. For some reason his senile ego decided that it was a great time to start a war in the Middle East, thus ushering in a period of global uncertainly and fuel shortages.
While I still have no doubt that our adventure will go ahead, it has added a level of stress that we could all have done without, especially when my plane tickets remind me that I will be travelling through the very epicentre of the conflict. Who was it that once made that famous statement that "Life was not meant to be easy"?
Of course sometimes we need to be reminded that the things that cost the most (not in money, but in time and effort), bring the greatest rewards. Putting together this trip has taken almost two years of blood, sweat and tears (metaphorically at least), so I can't wait to finally reap the pleasure of seeing it all finally come to pass.
This morning I rechecked my numbers to discover that we will have a total of 38 riders, some doing multiple sections and some only doing a part of the total ride. Our riders will be divided into three subgroups, each starting two days apart but following the same itinerary. This makes for very complex logistics. In fact, it will probably be the most complicated trip I have ever put together, rivalled only by our 2016 Odyssey Ride from Bruges to Budapest. Now that was a trip to remember !
Is that a baguette I can smell?Read more
Three Months and Counting
May 25 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
The final three months before any big venture is when the action really starts to ratchet up a step. After the long time of planning and anticipation, we finally reach the point where the reality hits home.
Last weekend we conducted our final special group ride before we head off to France in August. Although it was not possible to get the entire team together, it was still exciting to see so many happily riding and chatting together about the adventure we will soon be sharing together.
For many this will be their first time in France and for many others it will be their first overseas ride with the Ghostriders. I can't wait to introduce them to my favourite country and show them just how incredible it is to cycle hundreds of kilometres along the beautiful backroads of Europe.
I think I have now reached the point where all my own personal arrangements are complete. My air tickets were purchased months ago, and I have now completed all the extra hotel bookings I will require. My transport to Melbourne Airport is booked, as is my pickup from Charles de Gaulle Airport to our hotel in Paris. We have also completed all our train bookings. The relevant booking information has all been printed and stored in my ever growing travel folder.
Based on advice from other travelers I have also taken out a WISE card and loaded it with some EURO, all ready for spending France. At the same time I purchased an eSIM for use in Europe. I even have my French phone number already.
Now that all my personal arrangements are in place, all I need is for my ageing body to hold together for a few more months, so that I can really enjoy my riding. On my previous few trips, it seems that a different physical ailment or pain manifested itself just in time to accompany me the whole time. At the moment, I am free of any evident health problems, and I really hope that it stays that way.Read more
