It is difficult to believe that it was nine months since we pulled into Collioure, to complete our epic ride to Istanbul….and back!! Important to mention the ‘back’ bit, for it has consistently been the longer part of the trip.
And this year is no exception, as I plan to head off on another mad, mad bike ride!!
To Marrakech in Morocco!! The Marrakech Express it will not be! But hopefully only five weeks or so to get there…and at least seven weeks to get back as the plan is run up the length of Portugal, across Spain’s North coast, and through the Pyrenees back to Collioure!!
Beer will remain as big a focus as ever – in Morocco in particular….where Iain and I expect to become experts in tracking down the all-but-invisible speakeasies!!
Yes…Iain is joining me again for another father son bonding session, and Shennae is also returning for a bit of bum pain, signing up for the (probably toughest) anchor leg back to Collioure.
Otherwise, I have two new cycling partners! Iain’s mate Corey (escaping Blenheim, in an attempt to put his recent relationship break-up behind him), who will ride the first section down the length of Spain ready for the handover to Iain. And John (who is escaping his role as chairman of New Zealand Wineries) who will pick up from Iain on our return from Morocco in Jerez and ride through Portugal to Santiago de Compostela. No Camino pilgrimage for us…but you never know who we might meet on the way!
All in all, a great team…and let’s just hope that all those things that can go wrong….do not go wrong!! It is always a bit of a miracle when epic plans….actually go to plan!
Fingers crossed!!
Our departure date is set for Friday 19 April 2025. But it might take a few days for the planned blog to start!
Looking forward to it Neil – from a comfortable couch
Good luck and safe biking to ALL! 🙂
Cheers Neil. With you all the way. Great travels.
And they’re off!!