That’s a lovely story Rachael. I didn’t start biking until I turned 70 (although as a student I had biked to and fro to university). Our long distance walking tours seemed no longer feasible as we couldn’t afford the time to do what we wanted to do that year which was to walk from Canterbury to Rome ( it would have taken us at least. 90 days) so we decided on bikes and became hooked
Because of Covid we haven’t had a proper cycle trip since 2019 but in July we once more hope to be under way and plan cycling from Bremen to Lyon which should be a fairly easy route which at 84 and 86 is necessary ( see you have lots of cycling left). It is wonderful to think that that dreadful pandemic is now at a stage that we can once more do what we love. Our friends think we are crazy but our lovely children and grandchildren think it is the best thing we can do

Tricia, thank you for your reply on our Morocco journal. I had to look up your profile. First outside Nelson is where Patrick and I met in 1993, cycled a few days together then I continued cycling in Australia for 6 months while Patrick continued on his around the world quest. Then after 6 months met up in africa and cycling 9 months together back to his home in Holland.

Second and more importantly as I am feeling my age at 72, I so admire you and just need to get over myself of cycling less strong. Thank you. Rachel

Tricia thanks for the journal. I really enjoyed reading it as Nelson-Richmond has been like a second home to me over the past 37 years. My parents-in-law lived in Richmond, so I have been able to cycle tour much of the Nelson-Marlborough region.

I last visited the in-laws in February and took one of my folding bikes over to NZ from Australia . From Richmond, I cycled much of your journaled ride in a series of day trips from my in-laws' place. I especially loved the Spooner tunnel which I rode through on day ride from Richmond and through to Mapua.

As covid started, I had to depart Richmond for a return to Australia in a hurry as the Australian and NZ borders began to close; so I decided to leave my bike in Richmond at the in-laws' house on the assumption I'd be able to get back reasonably soon, visit them again and do more riding. Little did I know how much would change in just a few months. Sadly both in-laws passed away a few months ago; and the bike is still in storage at their place.

Fingers crossed we can back to NZ in 2021, and see some more of the beautiful places in your journal.

Thanks for the tour Trisha. Cycle touring is beginning to feel a bit like a distant memory for us, and I pass our bookshelves full of Bikeline books each day with a bit of a glazed look. But you are helping keep the dreams alive, and with luck cycle touring will re-open in the not too too distant future.

As you can imagine I couldn’t get him past it

Tractor heaven! Yay!

We have been enjoying the spring so much as we have missed it for so many years. This about the time we usually get back from Europe so now we have caught up. Tricia

So enjoying being able to follow you. Only thing, it is really disconcerting to have the seasons completely backwards. Here we are just finishing getting the gardens put to bed for the winter while you are enjoying the start of the growing time. Dodie

3000 km! Things are certainly far apart in your part of the world! I wish you a good start and that your hip stays where it is supposed to be!

They are strange times but it does feel a little like normal to cycle around in our island bubble even though everyone is speaking English!

Thank you Ann. Like you we should have been touring in Europe but this is a little compensation We realise how lucky we are to travel around freely in a country that is at the moment Covid free. Like you we are hoping for next fall in europe

Just being able to click on a current Trisha Graham blog gives a comforting sense of normality, even if the jaunt will be short.

Steve

Hi Trish and Ken
I am so excited to see you posting on your trip. I have loved reading your blogs over the years. I tell anyone who will listen about your escapades. Glad to see you are out travelling on your bikes this year. Look forward to you getting back to Europe, perhaps next year and reading about your antics. You are an inspiration. My husband and I are 60 and just retired a year ago. We had a 3 month trip planned for Italy and Croatia last spring. Hopefully next fall!

It feels good Suzanne even though it is an incredibly short trip. Get to Nelson today and start tomorrow

Wonderful that you are out on your bikes for a tour again!