When Rich and I decided to spend a year traveling in Europe the first things on our packing list were the dog and the bikes. Unfortunately, we initially didn’t get to do as much biking as we had hoped.
Some locations weren’t ideal for bikes. The canals of Venice aren’t easily navigated by bike. The rainy roads of Northern England are best explored while running with a dog who enjoys jumping in the puddles. And the snowy Swiss mountains are best paired with hot chocolate rather than a bike.
And sometimes competing priorities, such as meeting up with family and friends or visiting a “must see” sight in a new city, left our bikes feeling neglected.
Our desire to do more biking was one of the many reasons we were excited about Portugal. It seemed to be the ideal spot to dust off our bikes.
Biking provides a different way of exploring a new area. I love the ability to cover more ground in a unique way. I know that my perspective will be slightly different when viewed from my bike. And, the view at the top of a climb might be better appreciated.
I also enjoy the time with Rich. Those who know him understand that he (very much) prefers his mountain bike to a road bike. So I enjoy the company when I can get it!
I also appreciate the connections that biking can create. We enjoyed meeting people at the bike shops in Algarve when we stopped to inquire about routes and equipment. We are forever thankful to a mechanic who gave us free hydraulic oil and another employee who identified a crack in my helmet, potentially preventing future injury. And the first person Rich met on the Sintra mountain bike trails (only hours after arriving) proved to be a valuable resource for medical advice when I broke my ankle a week later. Unfortunately, the following week we compared swelling and bruising when he also injured his ankle.
When traveling, sharing a common experience with someone provides a common language. A smile or a wave from other riders makes me feel welcome in a new area. I appreciate that a nod toward a bike on the ground is a universal for “is everything ok?”. I love that because of the shared experience of each being on a bike, strangers aren’t afraid to ask how you are doing, where you are going, or if you are warm enough. Sixty-five degrees might be chilly for a rider from Lisbon, but it is perfectly delightful biking weather for a girl from Seattle!
Unfortunately, as I write this post I am still recovering from my broken ankle. I am not yet sure when I will be able to get back on my bike. Until then, I will remain thankful for a few weeks of biking in sunny Portugal and look forward to getting back on the bike when I am healed.
One Comment
Jen
Quite lovely description!