Ready - Set - Go ...

READY

Taking our bikes adds a degree of complexity to our preparations. Although the quality of rental bikes has greatly improved over the years the daily rental charges would be more than buying new bikes. We would also need to find a convenient place that would make pick up and delivery practical. Another wrinkle would be getting it serviced should we have a mechanical problem. So Kim travels with her bike and personal bike mechanic (me) who brings along all the tools and spare parts (hopefully what we need we brought but bike shops abound in France) we might need. 

Getting the bikes ready starts several weeks before departure which includes new sneakers (tires) and cleaning and waxing the chain - good to start with everything in tip top shape. That includes a good cleaning which improves the aerodynamics.

She cleans her bike... 

and I clean mine. 

Padding the frame is a good precaution

And into the box it goes

SET

Everything is in the car with room to spare

We decided that "less is more" when it comes to packing. Worse than packing is lugging all the bags in and out of each location (4). So where we took three of something on our last trip this time we took two, and two became one, and one stayed home. The bikes and biking gear is more than half of the luggage by weight and volume. So we were able to eliminate one suit case and one carry on bag. Lighter is better! 

GO

I will overlook the ordeal of getting from Vail to DIA and stick to "happy thoughts". The short flight from Denver to Chicago was a prelude to chilling at the Polaris lounge in O'Hare. For Kim that meant her first glass (flute) of the bubbly. Notice the fancy "tulip" shaped glass which is now part of her growing collection (make that two). 

For me it is the boring G&T. Did you ever notice that people plan entire vacations around vino touring and tasting but have never seen a promotion for a "gin tour". Oh well, as Ogden Nash said "candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker" - I am a quicker type.

Airborne to Paris, into our PJ's and another round. A night cap to kick off our 8+ hour flight and hopefully a few good hours of sleep. ZZZZZZZ

BTW: Another flute for the collection!