After having cleaned all our kit - we headed in to Dussledorf to find a bike shop to get Charlottes breaks looked at. Turns out they were fine. Charlotte also needed some new cleats - them things that clip the shoes into the peddles. Rob invested in some "amazingly amazing" yellow handle bar tape.
The bike shop we stopped at didn't have any metal cleats, so pointed us in the direction of another.
Having found the new bike shop, we realised that the cleats and peddles Evans had sold her in the UK were the old model, so the new cleats didn't fit the old peddles. Charlotte ended up investing in some SPD touring peddles and cleats for her shoes.
Whilst they were being fitted Rob and I began browsing the jerseys. With the end result of the most physically excentuating tops that we could find:
After a Subway lunch we began our journey towards Cologne. Negotiating foreign cities is still challenging, so we got lost. Biting the bullet and asking a local cyclist, we soon picked up our second escort of the trip. Unfortunately we never asked his name - so we will refer to him as Peddles-a-lot. Peddles-a-lot was in ridiculously high gear, for the entirity of our bicycle ride together. Peddles-a-lot took us back to the Rhine and into a park over-looking the city of Cologne, and it's gorgeous cathedral.
Waving our good-byes to Peddles-a-lot we settled down to have some grub. We soon began to notice a signficant increase in the international homosexual community. Or should I say the international homosexual community took a significant interest in us. In particular, Rob and myself in our Lycra cycling attire and dashing new jerseys.
We soon discovered why such a large community was present:
The Gay Games 2010.
We decided that due to the beauty of the cathedral that we should go and check it out. On route, we crossed a bridge that had hundreds of padlocks attached to it, all inscribed with varying messages in a multitude of languages.
Taking it in turns to go into the cathedral and have a look around, Rob and I took the opportunity to light a candle or two for some beloved before embracing the environment to remember our loved ones. A few pictures later, we met up with the girls and cracked on.
Turns out that our pre-planned 60k a day - about 40 miles - didn't equate for the the complexities of cities.
Miles away from our campsite the mong snake struck myself quite dramatically, having subconciously crossed our 60k limit. Literally could not be fucked to cycle any more. Nope, no further. Understandably this left the guys out in front with a bit of frustration at my attitude - cycling at 7 miles an hour singing incoherently - with them having to hold up for me. An argument insued. Those that know me, will also know that I am a dick at times, especially when it comes to arguments.
Lots of swearing, tears and apologies it was resolved and I picked myself up out of the hole I had dug myself and cracked on to the campsite.
At the campsite over a few beers the money discussion ensued. Money discussions are never good, especially having had an argument with the group earlier in the day. Having worked out that we had roughly spent the same amount, it was decided that what comes around goes around and we'll leave it at that.
No comments:
Post a Comment