Heading Home

After five wonderful weeks in France it is time to go HOME. 

On the plane from Paris to Chicago.

All settled into our seats for the very long flight to Chicago and connecting flight to Denver. 

Kim's storage in her sleeping pod.

Happiness was seeing our bikes arrive safely in France and being unloaded from the plane upon arrival in Denver. 

We have to credit the kindly baggage handlers who did not trash our boxes or damage our bikes. A special thanks to the TSA inspectors who opened the boxes in both directions, made sure the boxes were properly repacked, and even enclosed our red baggage straps. 

Since our flight did not land in Denver until 6 PM we decided to stay at a hotel for the night and drive back to Vail the next morning. By Sunday night every bag was unpacked, the bikes were reassembled, several loads of laundry were done. It was great to be away but there is something about coming home - especially to such a wonderful place as Vail - and sleeping in our own bed. 

By the numbers:

Travel Days: 33 days

Riding Days: 18 days 

Miles: 618.25 miles

Elevation: 28,498 feet

Flats: 1

Crashes: 0

Finally, this brings our 2019 France trip to an end. 

Overall it was a great success as measured in miles ridden, pastries consumed, alcohol consumed, and all the interesting and humbling places we visited and people we met.