"It's all enormous. It's all incredible. In the end we managed to win finals. We won this one after suffering a lot and now it's time to celebrate."

--Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso.
This fits. The only thing that I'd add is that suffering on a bike is cause for celebration.

The Plan

Hola mes amis. That's right, Spanish and French in the same sentence.

Once again this summer Selena and I are off on another adventure. This time we've got three weeks in France and Spain planned. Should be great!

The plan goes like this:
>fly into Barcelona on Saturday, July 18
>rent a car and travel to the Hautes-Pyrénées in France on July 19 where we will be camping by the roadside for 3 nights
>catch Stage 16 (July 20) of the Tour de France on the famous Col d'Aubisque
>enjoy the Tour's Rest day by cycling my guts out around the Haute-Pyrenees (July 21) and challenging some of the most famous cols (climbs) of the Tour de France
>catch Stage 17 (July 22) of the Tour on the famous Col du Tourmalet, which will be the stage finish
>Enjoy July 23 somewhere in France hopefully cycling around copious grapes and doing significant sampling ;)
>Spend a week (July 24-31) living in an apartment in Girona, Spain (Cataluña Province), the European home-base of a majority of the North American contingent of the pro peloton (that's pro bike riders for you non-roadies :)
>PS Our great friends Rod and Deanna Rawding will be joining us for the week in Girona. So what will the week look like, you ask? Let's just say that Rod and I will spend as much time riding the training routes of the pros as we can get away with; Selena and Deanna will run often and enjoy the beaches of the Costa Brava; and altogether we will enjoy the cafes and tapas bars daily
>On July 31 we will say adios to our pals and to Girona and once again rent a car and spend our last five days touring the Costa Brava
>fly home Thursday, August 5

As per usual, I'd like to share as much of the experience with all of you as possible via this little blog, so as with the past two summers, please check in on us as much as possible and do drop us a comment to let us know that you were by.

You never know what once-in-a-lifetime experiences the road may provide as I found out last year. Stay tuned!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Packing and Prepping

The list is long; I don't know how it's all going to get done. Come to think of it, maybe it won't, and I'm sure it'll all work out in the end.

Check back, say, Sunday night for our first official post (hopefully by then). I have no idea what the internet access is going to be like in the Hautes Pyrenees - I know that our tent doesn't have wifi...so if I don't get something out on Sunday, it may have to wait til July 24...

Until then, please wish us luck!

Seleno

11 comments:

  1. Safe travels to both of you. Looking forward to following your adventure again this summer. Enjoy!
    Sharon

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  2. How do you say "tabarnak" in Spanish? Because what I want to say is: "Amusez-vous en tabarnak" but I too would like to insert a word in Spanish. Hey, isn't that an Elton John song? Probably a romantic one at that?

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  3. Couldn't resist this:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUBDJ3Kyv0c
    Check out that 80s style. Takes me back to my Video Hits Days with Samantha Taylor.

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  4. Awesome travels and adventures to you...pretty cool to be able to keep in touch as we are both travelling the world!
    -Baltzers;Idaho Falls, Idaho

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  5. Hey
    Hope all is well.
    See you in Girona.
    Rod and Dee

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  6. Good morning Shane & Selena, Oh what a relief it is!!!Can't you here the music now?!! But I don't think it was for ENO. I, also made it to Calgary I was up 22 hours... and it is cold here -of course I brought clothes for hot weather. Have fun and be safe!
    Love, Momeno

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  7. Hi Shane and Selena, I enjoyed your blog so much last year! Your Mom showed me wedding pics last night- what a party! especially enjoyed the tree climbing! We're just going for lunch downtown with my sister, tomorrow lunch with a friend in Vulcan. Youre right, all we do is eat!! Maybe I'll take your Mom on the zip line at canada olympic park? Have a fabulous time, we'll be watching for your blog updates. Aloha, Gail

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  8. Glad you both arrived safely - get rested up and show those mountains whose boss. Looking forward to your commentary.
    Quite the controversy in the Tour yesterday - what is the protocol? Dadeno

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  9. Looks like you two are having a great time, and actually conquering the mountains - and hanging with some strange people. Have been watching for you guys on the tele, but no go. Watched todays epic up Tourmalet - wow what a ride by those two, wonder if Andy has any chance in the time trial? Must have been a tad wet today based on coverage. Anyway keep climbing and I'm sure Selena will keep the pkadot jersey, Dadeno

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  10. So insanely jealous- sounds like such a wonderful time! Having fun reading the blog... take care!
    Addy

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  11. It seems dumb that you would have to fly over Halifax all the way to Toronto just to wait to catch a plane back to Halifax. Doesn't seem right.
    Anyway, welcome home and glad everything cleared customs. You will probably be home by the time you read this so get some well deserved and much needed sleep ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.............:)
    Sharon

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