July 20: With only a few days left before my departure for Europe, “end stage panic” has set in. Admittedly, all of the big pieces – the flights, the trains, the apartment-sitting and so forth – are all in place. But there’s always the nagging fear that something will fall through the cracks. Discovering what that will be is one of the unknowns we face when travelling and – I’m told – solving those problems is all part of “the adventure”.
When I say that I am leaving for two months to ride my motorcycle in Europe I can see the thought bubble form over peoples’ heads: “I wish I could afford that !” And indeed I’m in the fortunate position of having the money to be able to travel, due mostly to my parents’ financial acumen and part of a City pension more than my own monetary ability.
After the cost issue is covered, the next question is usually “Where are you going ?” While I do have a very general route in mind, I don’t have a specific timetable or itinerary to follow ( other than meeting friends on specific dates ). I’ve learned that my enjoyment is really all about seeing what’s around the next corner. I follow my nose and although s
ome days it’s not rewarding, others provide pleasant surprises like here in Brantes, with Mont Ventoux in the background. And a loose schedule provides the opportunity to “take a day off” when it’s raining or my butt just can’t stand another 300 km day. In my view, the greatest benefit to travelling for an extended time is the ability to just take a day and relax, rather than rushing from place to place to fit it all into a 2 or 3 week “vacation”.
The risk of travelling (mostly alone) by motorcycle is another issue which frequently arises. Each of us accepts a level of risk in everything we do. Sadly, as we found out earlier this year, we can be killed walking down Yonge Street. It seems pretty obvious that I am prepared to accept a higher level of risk than some people simply because I ride a motorcycle. That risk exists whether I ride it here or in the French Alps. Admittedly, Yonge Street is not bordered by a low wall and a 500 meter drop into a canyon, so that is why I ride well within my safety envelope when those conditions exist.
Toward the end of the trip, my friend Kate and I will be joining a bigger group at a rental house near Avignon, and then spending a few short days in Paris. It’s been some time since she was last in Europe, so I’m looking forwards to sharing some time and adventures with her as she reacquaints herself with the “European experience”. For now though, I just need to finish my “to-do” list.