After 5+ years, why are you going on another cycling trip?
Matty Bhai: Because Steve kept asking, geez . In all seriousness, I’ve missed cycling abroad during the pandemic and it’s also a great reason to get myself motivated and into the gym to lose those covid curves. Any unnecessary kilograms that I don’t need will help with the Italian mountains that await. Additionally, the past cycle trips in India and Spain were such great fun, I’ve missed the stories and adventures we make plus photos which we still look back on today.
Shruts: FOMO, I didn't want to miss out on all the fun and the suffering the team is going to endure lol. Also, I figured life is too short to spend all my time sitting in my work chair anyway, so why not trade it in for a bike saddle and some beautiful scenery?
SB: I feel like a cheat, I've actually done 3 additional tours since our last one in Spain. I've done the coast of Portugal twice with my wife and then another with wifey and her bro and wife and i did a hell of a solo from Madrid Spain to Porto Portugal and down to Lisbon. 600 miles and 6 days of cycling - no breaks... but it broke me. One day i had to take a train the length of that day. BUT to get to the question 😁There are a few reasons, a cycling tour is the closest thing that I will get to an actual old timey adventure/safari/exploration - whatever you want to call it, it is about relying on yourself to power you through far away lands, suffer and come out the other side successful. I also love to see new locales, eat different foods and be outside in nature. I am always ready for a cycling trip - especially with this group.
You have a few trips experience under your belt - what are you most looking forward to?
Matty Bhai: Cycling along the nicely paved roads with the wind whistling through my helmet and shirt ensuring we stick to the route. This time we have opted for hotels which I’m hoping are nice and comfortable with ample breakfast buffets to kick off the day.
El Flato: Riding roads in new countries seeing different people and places. Having fun and great new experiences. Of course breaking my flat tire record. :) Spending time with my son.
Shruts: I'm most looking forward to eating risotto every day for lunch and pizza for dinner. Sure, we could focus on the beautiful roads, the fresh air, etc etc, but let's be real - it's all about the carbs. And Speaking of carbs, Steve has been eating less to prep for the ride, I can only imagine how excited he'll be to finally eat some real Italian food.
SB: I'm most looking forward to 3 things - 1. seeing my teammates after so many years - and my dad and being in this type of adventure/situation with them. 2. being back in Italy and France after 22 years! Love both locations and I have never been back. Last time I was a pedestrian, now I am a cyclist. 3. The freedom of cycling - no one calls you, texts you, asked you to unclog a drain or fix a problem - it is pure escapeism from tech and the world, while exercising in a beautiful location[ hopefully without rain ]
What is your biggest fear for the trip?
Matty Bhai: Creepy statues lurking in basements or odd alcoves of hotels! I’ve spent too many nights in haunted rooms with or without fake goggle eyes glued to priceless antique pictures. Also probably hoping El Flato doesn’t break his record of 27 flat types during the trip lol.
El Flato: Hills , Hills and more Hills. Also being older hope I don't slow down the guys. That Steve really wants a early inheritance and routed more hills. As you can see I have a hill phobia from last trip :)
Shruts: The first is the fear of being the slow one and holding back the team. I have been strength training, running, indoor biking, and occasionally outdoor biking but I think I could have trained more / better. The second thing that gives me the chills is the thought of cold, rainy weather. I learned my lesson in Spain when I was miserable and drenched from head to toe on Day 1. So this time, I'm not taking any chances - I'll be packing my rain jacket, rain trousers, and windbreaker jacket. I may look like a trash bag (will miss my fencer avatar from Spain), but at least I'll be dry and warm.
El Flato: Bring less stuff. Bring more lights. I assume the rental bikes will have working lights but I sent away for the headbands that have bright lights on them just in case hope they work. Take more time to see the sights. On my first trip I was just focused on finishing and staying up with the young guys and gals.
Shruts: I have been told that I overpacked on my previous trips, so this time around I'm determined to pack light. It won't be easy wearing the same outfit every other day. But challenge accepted.
SB: Two things, 1. we will absolutely spend more time checking out some sites/sights as we pass through towns. There is NO WAY we will miss Pisa. 2. I vow to bring sunscreen and lipbalm! I literally forget to bring this on every trip... and then I get sun or wind burned.
What item that you packed do you think will be your most handy?
Matty Bhai: Lights during our previous trip from Barcelona to Tarifa, I was the only one with working lights and had to hang at the back to ensure we didn’t get run over. My multi tool is also an essential item. I went for a lightweight model (TopPeak Mini Pro) with a chain breaker and tyre levers on the sides - Highly recommend!
El Flato: phone and universal charger. Also the lights I hope. Spare tires. I hope 20 will be enough this trip :)
Shruts: I haven't even started packing yet. Time flies, and we're only 15 days away from the trip. But if I had to choose one item that I know will come in handy, it would have to be my down jacket. As long as I have my jacket to keep me warm, I think I'll be just fine. Oh and also I am getting extra tubes for the group or maybe just for Leon/El Flato lol
SB: I think the mobile phone will be the most handy. 2nd handiest will be the charging equipment and as a 3rd - cycling shorts. Between the anti rub and the padded bottoms, life savers!!!
What do you want to do on this trip to make sure it is a success?
Matty Bhai: Make it to the end in one piece lol! Having navigated the team out of some sticky situations previously, I’ll be reviewing the routing as we go and comparing to trusted Google on my phone
El Flato: Make sure everyone is having fun. Make sure I am having fun. have Steve and Matty Bhai breaking the wind:) Not riding so late. Seeing more of the countries.
Shruts: I want to make sure I finish every single day of this trip without skipping a day.
As for making sure the trip is a success, I think we're in pretty good shape. We've done all the pre-work, routing, planning, and bookings, so now it's just a matter of executing our plan and having fun while doing it.
SB: I agree with all of my teammates - all of us making it in one piece, me breaking wind [ strange ask from my dad - I think be means drafting, but I will try to break as much wind as possible ] and finishing every day. I think I have to go back to a previous answer and really just enjoy the freedom of the trip and see a lot more sights.
What advice would you give someone doing a bicycle tour for the first time?
Matty Bhai: Ensure you plan out your route including elevation and where you are planning to stay along with transport options should you need to return to the start via car/train/bus/plane/horse etc.
El Flato: It depends on the first trip. If it was like mine get into shape it helps. Get a seat that is comfortable. Riding several hundred miles on a bad seat is no fun. Use body lotion to prevent body parts from rubbing. :) Bring good lights. Go with a tour or map out a good route before you go and check the elevations. Don't believe your son when he says oh the hills are not that bad. Sorry phobia showing :)
Shruts: Besides all the great advice the other scorchers have listed, I would say finding a great team to go with is key, especially if you're not doing it solo. I am so grateful for this group as I learned a ton during the other two trips and I know they'll have my back and bags during the ride lol
SB: I think it boils down to a few things, be honest with yourself on how far and what type of cycle trip you want. If you are looking to go slow and drink coffee and meander, make sure you pick a spot and distance that will let you do that. Definitely overplan, over think and over route - there is always a sticky situation and this helps. Personally I would say for the first trip, stay in hotels from night to night. You get all the ammenities, dont have to deal with home owners - get keys, it is such a pain. I will never do airbnbs again. PAINFUL! Pick like minded tourmates that you get along with and enjoy the company of. And most importantly make sure your bike and gear are up for the job. It doesnt have to be expensive - but it has to work!
