Pre Trip Travel

So we had a little trial run of our planned travel this weekend. It went pretty well, although we did a run instead of a ride. We made some new friends along the way and got to look at pretty flowers.

We stayed at the MacGregor Inn & Tavern. The accommodations were more than adequate, though the whole place could have used a good vacuumming, quite frankly. We had heard that some really terrific meals could be gotten here, but we found the selection a trifle disappointing. Apparently, no one really felt like cooking the days we were there. The owners were quite friendly and hardworking, however, and that really made up for the other shortcomings.

MacGregor Inn & Tavern

The Innkeeper

Angela the groundskeeper. I understand they pay her in breakfasts.

We also really enjoyed meeting and spending time with the other guests. They were very warm and enthusiastic and seemed to want to spend lots of time with us.

One of the other guests napping on the couch.

Two of the other guests enjoying the warm sunshine.

All in all, we would recommend our weekend activities and accommodations to others. Probably the best part of all was the famous person that stopped by for a few minutes! We had no idea the owners knew anyone like this and she was gracious enough to let us take a quick picture while she was there.

Dolly Parton!

Sat morning run

Countdown

The countdown has begun! Only a week and a half to go until we set sail! Or wing, as the case may be. Rob is at this moment in the garage reattaching my repaired bike computer that got broken last weekend during other bike upgrades. Get one thing fixed up only to create another problem!

We also have French homework to do this evening for our French class at the University tomorrow night. Despite our vowing each week to practice every day, we do our homework and one night of practice every week on Wednesday night! Old school habits die hard!

I have been in caffeine and wine training for the trip. Very important to have one's tolerance high enough so as not to get the coffee shakes in the morning or to embarrass oneself with public drunkeness in the evening. Oh, and we have been riding the bikes some, too!

So we have upgraded my bike with some new components to make it more comfortable and we also got new panniers (bags) for my bike. I have been pretend packing to see just how much stuff in can get in those suckers! Not much.

Rob has a few more things to do to his bike in preparation, then we just have to stuff both bikes in boxes, put our clothes in the panniers and head to the airport!

Prep Work

We are continuing preparation for the trip. Plane tickets have been purchased and all lodging reservations, save one, have been made. We also have some ideas on how to deal with bike transport and on how to store the boxes while we ride since they would be a bit awkward to carry for two weeks on the bikes!

House and animal sitting have been arranged (mostly-still not sure what to do with the cat).

Now we just have to start actually riding the bikes regularly to be ready for riding lots of mileage everyday. Okay, I have to start riding regularly, Rob has started commuting to work again already since we have been having unseasonably warm weather. In fact, I am sitting outside in the mid-morning sunshine right now and several groups (pods? herds? gaggles!) gaggles of geese, presumably heading north, have flown overhead, honking as they go. Wait, are they still a gaggle when flying in V formation or is that only when they are on the ground? Anyway, doesn't matter. The point is that it has been quite warm for Salt Lake City in February.

We have also been practing our French, each according to his skill level. I have been taking Conersational French I at the U, while Rob has been reading Important French Literature in the original French. Though he did admit to struggling a bit with the Dumas, poor thing, while I struggle to order beer and ask for the toilet. Hmph.

Rob says

J'aime voyagee en France au velo. Faites attention Lance!

Preparation

The preparation of the blog has begun. And also of the trip. We will be checking in everyday once we launch across the pond to update our vast fan club on our progress. Enjoy.