Those who stands still, conquer heat. Those who runs, conquer cold. - Lao-Tse, Chinese philosopher +/- 600 BC
An apt quote, but as a cyclist, I disagree. Cycling in this heat is wonderful! That cooling breeze brushing your cheeks and blowing your hair like a fan. Until you stand still... Then suddenly the sweat gushes out of all your pores and you don't know how fast to start cycling again. To cool down!
So: Those who cycle, conquer heat. Those who stand still should quickly start cycling again.
Northern heading
Monday, June 19th, we'll be heading north together. Once again, as in previous years, it will be a combination of work and holiday. First well cycle North along the Norwegian west coast, from Kristiansand to Trondheim. At the end of June, Remy will be going back home and I'll remain for an extra month in Norway and Sweden to follow up on some other things.
As I'm writing this, a large part of Norway is very hot. There are even some warnings for forest fires and in some areas recreation is no longer allowed. The area where we'll be cycling is in general fresh and rainy. Even there the temperature goes just over twenty degrees as well. Norway is hot!
New bicycle?
"Did you get a new bicycle?" was the question I got in a reaction to a photo in a previous newsletter. No, I don't have a new bicycle. Just as well, since this one is irreplaceable. But it did get a new colour, Via-Gaia-green. This was in co-operation with Santos Bikes, the factory where my bicycle saw its first light and Beagle Bikes, the Santos Dealer in Utrecht. On the photo you see me with the bicycle before the start of the Cycle and hiking fair in Utrecht. There I received it from Santos Bikes.
Meanwhile at Via Gaia
At the risk of coming over as immodest, I could say that Via Gaia is sailing smoothly. I do need to make time for writing and publishing the bicycle guide, plus the necessary PR that comes with it, was something I underestimated to such a degree, I end up with very little time for other things. Even cycling!
That last part is actually a bit painful, because I cycled way too little these last three months. This got about because my was such fun that I jumped out of bed every morning ready to start writing again. In only stop to eat and play the clarinet. Even the morning swim in the sea was skipped. In the meantime I'mm writing en telling everywhere that you need a good base condition to start cycling in Norway, but now I'll have to suffer the consequences since my condition isn't what it's used to be and got worse. (psst... don't tell anyone!).
Since a couple of weeks, I'mm cycling along with Remy again almost every morning. Back and forth to the harbour of Scheveningen. (22 km). The condition is starting to improve. And cycle every day to the Post office to send out orders (over 1 km). That goes on since Norway is hot!
Greetings, Remy & Gea
Photo's: That Norway and the northern pilgrim paths are popular was obvious at the Cycle and Hiking fair. Ria Warmerdam and I were very busy for these days straight with answering questions of people showing interest. To my astonishment, the hall where my presentation took place (80 seats) was packed to the point that no more people could attend. Yes, as I said, Norway is hot!
Tips
- On the website of Via Gaia there is a new item: Info and Tips (in English!). Mainly aimed for people who intend to go cycling in Norway and Sweden, but may also interesting for non-cyclists as well.
- Would you like to order a bicycle guide, a hiking guide or a pilgrim passport? Ria and I now have our own webshop and ship worldwide.