European Bike Trip

European Bike Trip, Page 1A

Journal and *Addendums* European Bicycle Excursion June 13-July 6,1978

[] - notes added 1996
**-notes added 1978-1980
Postcard
[From a postcard to my mother and our neighbor Terry and her daughter Kim
Wednesday morning]

We made it! The

Gustavus Band was on the plane!

 [The band was] going on to tour Denmark
and Sweden. Our reservations fell thru at the hostel here,
but we found a spot 10 miles out of London- had to hurry out on our bikes
thru rush hour traffic and claim our spots at this hostel. The flight
left a half-hour late, but was early in arriving (3:30 London time) We
assembled our bikes in the train station in the rush hour crowd, who
thought we were nuts. After we got to this hostel, we stopped in at a pub-
it was fascinating. Had a good breakfast this morning at the hostel. Now
to find Dave and Keith. Love, Tom [Picadilly Circus postcard]

[Three of us flew on a University of Minnesota charter. We got a great round-trip fare, with a return date in August(!)
Dave and Keith flew later, because their parents worked for Braniff (remember that airline? With the wild paint jobs on the planes?)
Anyway, we had made reservations at the Blackfriars Hostel in central London, but never confirmed them. It turned out to be
closed when we arrived. So we scrambled to find a spot at this other hostel.

In front of the British Museum, Jeff is trying to map our way through the ancient cowpaths of London to our hostel
at rush hour. Meanwhile we are trying to drive home in our minds that traffic drives on the left, while Brian sets up his camera

 Anyway, we spent the next day roaming London,
 after they found us.]
 [Originally, Jeff and I had planned this trip, and it was just going to be
 the two of us, but then his friend Brian found out, and wanted to come. Then
 (or maybe before that) Dave, my friend, wanted to come, and later his friend
 Keith.
 Jeff and I were the only real experienced bicyclists. We had planned on
 touring all over Western Europe, for 2 1/2 months. After arriving in London,
 we headed directly for Dover (in a heavy rain) I remember having some trouble
 seeing because of my glasses, but my new Goretex jacket and a wool sweater
 kept me comfortable.]
                         


                                    
Day 5, Saturday, June 17-Amiens, France
Camping out, after spending much of the day riding in the rain. People very
friendly. Lunch in a small town hotel between the bar and the billiards tables
(good players) [This was billiards, not pool]. Much controversy over taking a
train into Paris, there buying a Eurorail pass. Dave and I are against the
idea, but being swayed some by Jeff, principally. [We did take a train into
Paris, but the Eurorail pass would only be good outside France, so we held
off- providentially, I suppose] Jeff, and especially Brian, doing well
communicating in French. Everyone doing pretty well riding, especially Dave,
not so much Brian, who is having knee trouble, and Keith, who has some
building up to do.
Yesterday left Dover by ferry to Boulogne, then rode to Montreil (about 36 km
is all) Got rained on for last part of ride. Day before (Thursday) rode out of
London (Highgate West in NW London) to about 15 miles SE of London

On the ferry to Boulogne, looking back at the Dover cliffs

(Falconwood) where we had a good meal of fish and chips, and from there took
the train to Dover to escape the cold and rain. Stay in Dover was pleasant.
 Saw Dover castle and the white cliffs.

Had good food (believe it or not!), fast service in
 England. Saw Buckingham Palace [including the changing of the guard], St.
 Paul's Cathedral, Old London, Hampstead Heath [early example of a planned
 community?]

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