About the web site

This web site was designed to allow our friends and family to follow our whereabouts as we travel by bike through Europe during the summer of 2006. It’s unknown how often we’ll update this site throughout the trip, but this will be the place to check for news of our happenings. The site is built with Movable Type and is configured to be updated via email from our Treo 650 cell phone from the comfort of our bicycle seats. We’ll see how that works out.

Origins of the Trip

Before we married, Susana and I thought of going on a trip that we’d remember, that we’d compare to every other bit of travel throughout our lives. The best types of trips, in my experience, are those where you’re able to go slow and notice the small things, emmerse yourself in the culture, and spend less money thereby removing the barriers between you and your surroundings. A trip where you power yourself gives a sense of purpose and accomplishment and offers greater rewards than packaged trips. I’ve found that it’s these trips that also offer the most unexpected pleasures.

Susana and I started thinking about this trip when riding around San Juan Island one weekend last summer. Biking silently along those empty highways with views of the mountains and sea, having homemade lobster dinners next to the water, we wondered why we didn’t do this more often and for longer. We decided that a long bicycle trip would be our plan for the summer of 2006.

A person's job is often the biggest obstacle in taking an extended trip. But when considered in the context of which we'd regret -- taking the biggest trip of our lives thereby sacrificing some stability versus staying at home -- we decided that work could wait a few months. And if not, life will go on. It's worth it for such an experience.

Where & When

Having traveled extensively throughout the US, by bicycle for much of it, I wanted to go somewhere unknown to both of us. We chose our route because of history, relative safety, coastlines, cuisine, the chance to ride famous cycling routes of Europe, and the opportunity to cycle to Susana’s home country, Portugal.

The trip will take us through Croatia, Greece, Italy, France, Spain and Portugal. More information can be found about our intended route in the Route section. We will fly to Trieste, Italy on May 22nd, and expect to arrive in Lisbon in the middle of August to be welcomed by Susana’s friends and family. We return to Seattle on September 7th.

About Scott & Susana

Scott and Susana live in Seattle. Susana is taking the summer off her job in the advertising industry, having worked in the field for 11 years. Susana is originally from Setubal, Portugal and attended the Universidade Nova Lisboa.

Scott has worked as a graphic designer for the past nine years, mainly in the software industry. He graduated with an English degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Scott has gone on several other long bike rides, notably a 2200-mile trip from Omaha to central British Columbia.

Scott and Susana have been married since 2002.

We are often asked what we’re bringing with us on the trip, so I thought I’d share our packing list.

Bike & Racks

Co-Motion Americano bicycles
panniers, front & rear (Jandd on Scott’s & Ortlieb on Susana’s)
handlebar bag (Ortlieb)
fenders
cable lock & extra cable
rear blinking light

Tools & Accessories

bike pump
tire irons (3) spare tubes (3) patch kit
spare folding tire
chain oil
zip ties
metal brackets (for front rack)
rear-view mirror (glasses clip-on)
extra straps
bungees/elastic webbing for front & rear rack
photocopies of Leonard Zinn bike maintenance book
duct tape/electrical tape
small wire brush (to clean drivetrain)
zip ties
sewing kit

Tools

allen wrenches & screwdrivers
chain tool
leatherman tool
crescent wrench ?
cogset removal tool/hypercracker (for replacing spokes)
spoke wrench

Spares/Replacement Parts

spare bar end shifters (9 spd)
spare chain links & extra pins
spare brake pads
spare spokes
spare cables (shifter & brake)
cable housing
misc. nuts & bolts
replacement bolts for rack
spare bolts/screws for panniers
spares for fenders
patch kit for thermarest
repair kit for stove
hose clamps

Clothing Scott

1 bike shorts (Pearl Izumi)
integrated mtn bike shorts (Pearl Izumi)
hiking shorts
long pants
2 cotton t shirts
2 synthetic t shirts
1 synthetic long sleeve shirt
3 short sleeve shirts
cycling jersey
rain jacket
underwear
sweater/fleece jacket
bike shoes
sandals
2 lightweight bike socks
1 heavy bike socks
bike gloves
helmet
baseball cap
handkerchief
swimming suit

Personal

sunglasses
extra glasses
toiletries

Camping

tent (MSR Hubba Hubba)
2 sleeping bags (TNF)
2 therma rests
2 headlamps
compass
first aid, medicines

Cooking

MSR stove & fuel
2 coffee cups
big teflon pan & lid
MSR cookset
pocket knife
scrubber
fork & spoon

Other

maps & travel guides
ipod & charger
camera
mini tripod
Treo 650 cell phone/PDA
foldable keyboard for phone
European wall adapters for chargers
pocket radio
journal
altimeter watch
zip locks
sunscreen
books
length of rope/clothesline
passport/ID & copies
ATM & bank info
spare batteries

Mabton - Prosser - Patterson - Crow Butte State Park - Alderdale - Mabton
93 mi (2 days)
100’ climbing
10:00 ride time

We chose this route in south central Washington because (1) neither of us had been to this part of the state, (2) it’s drier than Western Washington this time of year, (3) it’s pretty desserted so you can put your head down and ride without too many distractions and with few cars. This plan would have turned out great except for one unexpected factor — the wind. South-central Washington is extremely dry and void of trees or any other feature that we’re used to in western Washington to block the wind.

The ride started in Mabton and made a right turn at Prosser up a 750’ climb to the plateau above. That’s when the cross-winds really kicked in, without anything blocking the wind for more than 10 miles — and we know because we could see that far — we rode like this all day. Except for the occassional fallen onion on the side of the road (Walla Walla would be a safe bet), there was little stimulation. And the wind kept pushing us all over the road.

Finally we arrived at the gates of Columbia Crest winery and a downhill to the Colombia River. It was another 15 miles up the highway in decreasing winds to Crow Butte State Park where we arrived after dark.

Sunday’s ride was much better. We chose county roads that ascended up a nice river valley onto the plateau, then a 20-mile false-flat as we crept up. There was more agriculture — vineyards and orchards, although the vines looked pretty anorexic this time of year; it’s amazing that they will grow into something edible within 6 months. Except for Alderdale, which consisted of a few farm buildings, we didn’t pass through a town all day. There was an amazing amount of trash on the side of the road, which made me wonder Where are people getting all of this Bud Light?