France 2011 It all started when we got this message on Facebook. Facebook - Title: Next Summer Vaughan B. writes, "Hey Guys, Hope you are both doing good - It seems from the odd FB updates i see that you're having a good time! anyhow, i'm writing to let you know that me n Kim are getting married next year over here in France. We had a great time with you last summer, and thought we'd ask just in case you were after an excuse to come over this side of the pond?"

When I read the message to Amanda, I think we both knew that cycling in France was something that had to be done. We’ve both become interested in Le Tour de France, and I was itching to ride some singletrack in the Alps. I had even considered racing in the “Mountain of Hell Bike Race” in Les 2 Alpes, which starts at the top of the mountain on a glacier, and ends 30km away in a field.

Then of course there were our friends we met through warmshowers.org, Emmanuel & Nawal, who stayed with us in Vancouver before setting out across Canada. Some emails were exchanged with them, and a route fleshed out. Hopefully we will get to ride bikes with them for a few days!

Our plan has slowly morphed into a cross-continent ride (North/South) from Amsterdam to Barcelona. While we may not end up cycling all of it, we hope to cycle most of it, creating new memories and meeting new people along the way!

The Trip Home

The Trip Home

Monday August 8, 2011Paris, France to North Vancouver, Canada15 km50 minutes in the saddle Amanda writes: We left precisely on time which was very nice for me. I got up before Andrew and bought cheese, meat and bread to make sandwiches for the airport. I…

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Paris Day 7

Paris Day 7

Andrew writes: Another day of sightseeing with Nawal and Emmauel, and our last day in Paris. We met up at 1100hrs as planned and then went to a boulanger for breakfast and coffee. Afterwards, we went to Pere Lechaise Cemeterie. This is the most famous…

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Paris Day 6: Fun with French Friends!

Paris Day 6: Fun with French Friends!

Saturday August 6, 2011 Amanda writes: Today Emmanuel and Nawal arrived from Dijon. We were very excited to have them visit. We were able to ride with Emmanuel for a week but we didn’t get to spend much time with Nawal so I was looking…

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Paris Day 5: I think we’ve seen everything

Paris Day 5: I think we’ve seen everything

Andrew writes: We had such an awesome night last night. We ate some great “Tex-Mex” food at the Indiana Cafe. I had a burrito and Amanda had an enchilada. They were “American” sized! Afterwards we went to the cafe beneath our hotel for a nightcap….

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Paris Day 4 – The day of I’m done walking

Paris Day 4 – The day of I’m done walking

Amanda writes: So yesterday was pretty awesome after Andrew posted up the blog. We went and did our self guided tour of Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe. Our guide book we bought was great and easy to read and navigate on the Kindle. The…

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