Epiloge

Lucas and I rode our bikes the short ride from the hotel in Fribough to the train station at about 645 Friday morning in the pouring rain. As we pedaled over the slick cobblestones, over curbs, through pedestrians and with traffic we were in our element. Lucas is safe and confident in an urban setting, although, I must say I don't trust US drivers any more now than I did three weeks ago.

Fortunately I had bought tickets for us and our bikes the day before. I found out that had I not done that, we would not have been able to bring our bikes for such a long (7 hour) train ride. Lucas and I have discussed the impact of planning as a means to relaxed travel. Everyone has a different style, for sure, but for me, I would rather read a good book while waiting than sprint to the train in a sweaty panic.

As we rolled north, we passed bikers in paths we had followed.

We ate salami sandwiches from the rolling cart in side the train and played blackjack and go fish.

Our only train change was in Zurich. Traveling with two bikes and one kid is a breeze once you've done it with four and three.

Once in Munich we weighed our options: go to Charlie's friend, Henrick's, office, where our bike bags had been stored, and disassemble them there and cab it to the airport hotel, or have Lucas wait with bikes while I picked up luggage and then train it to the airport and disassemble there.

My initial thought was the later option as I thought I would be more relaxed once settled and that Lucas could chill and watch a movie.

My spidy sense said stay together, so we did and biked to Henrick's office. It was another gorgeous day in Munich and the city was rocking. Again, we felt at home and relaxed biking in the congestion.

I spread the bike bags and tools out in the lobby, put on some tunes (Al Green to start). Lucas and I worked together for about an hour, including a ice cream break to turn our two transport devices into a heap of metal, chain, pedals and flat tires. We wrapped them with a variety of materials we'd brought along and then stuffed three paniers into the cases along with them for extra padding.

Due to the good weather forecast (no snow), Charlie asked me to take a few things back for them which made repacking things, albeit completely manageable, require a bit more strategy.

We took a cab to the 'airport Marriott;', I know I am an optimist and all, but I assumed the hotel would be located AT THE AIRPORT.' ah, no. The hotel was 15k from the airport! That's where those spidy senses came in. Had we taken the train to the airport we would have had to schlepp all our luggage and bikes around way too much just to end up in a cab to the hotel., which was lovely and had an airport shuttle. We were starving and sat outside in the fresh air. I had Salad niçoise and Lucas had pork in a brown sauce.

On the way to the room, we walked passed the fgym and the MASSAGE sign. I felt like that was a very clear message that I had a duty to follow, so i booked 60 minutes for 8pm. When working on my legs, the masseuse asked 'have you been doing some new exercises lately? Your IT bands and hamstrings are pretty tight.' Reflecting on the numerous climbs and daily 4-6 hours on the bike the last 13 days with Charlie, Sho, Saya and Lucas, I said 'I've been playing a bit more with my teenage son.'