A suspension seatpost: Cane Creek, the Silk model. I’ve never ridden with one, but Rachael says it makes a big difference in smoothing out the ride.

What is it?

I'm with Carolyn, who has expressed it well. But I must say I find it a relief not to have to post nightly during the half of the year that we are home. On the other hand not posting deprives one of a forum to look for sympathy when something goes awry. For example, Dodie just fell off a raised bed and sprained her thumb, making it impossible to ride her bike. I can only whine widely about it by sneaking it in here, otherwise restricted to close family and friends!

Such a kind thing to say, Carolyn! Made my day.

It was a sigh of relief to discover this new journal after three days of a very disappointing search for a new entry in an Italian Spring. No you can’t keep us hanging - it would feel like losing a friend. TA is a part of my every day that I look forward to … wherever you are and whatever you’re doing. It’s a joy to read your writing and now it feels like I’m on life’s journey with you both.

Ah, of course and thanks. I have learned a lot about RidewithGPS just from following what people do with it on CB.

I used RideWithGPS, using the ‘draw lines’ option.

Your road trip maps are interesting. Is that something you do with RidewithGPS, or a straightedge and sharpie, or??

How kind of you to reach out like this! In fact, Revelstoke is in our plans, if they hold up. We’re booked to say at the Courthouse Inn for three nights, from August 2nd to 4th. We’d probably keep with our reservation, but if you’re in town it would be great to meet.and maybe take a ride together.

I read this to Rachael, and she was very envious. “She lives in Revelstoke? What a great place to live.” We were ther for a couple nights five summers ago and have wanted to return ever since.

I can't tell if your Canadian route will take you through Revelstoke, BC, or not. If it does, you're welcome to stay at my place if I'm home (I have a couple of trips planned this summer). Or I can provide advice on nearby places to bike, hike, and eat. The good news is that we've had a fair bit of rain this week, and more is on the way, along with some cooler weather. So hopefully the fire situation won't be too terrible when you're travelling.

Pretty deep thoughts, Bruce. I think I need some coffee to help me get the most out of it.

That’s the plan. And you too! We’re getting anxious for your tour to start.

It’s possible we could intersect, depending on which route we take. Our window is September 13 to December 10, so we’re a month behind you. We have two candidate routes mapped out. One goes west of Madrid through Extramadura and ends in Valencia, so that’s a pretty unlikely meetup. The other one though goes east of Madrid to Valencia, and then continues west to Malaga. It’s quite likely we’d be in the vicinity of each other somewhere on that one, since we’d probably get to Valencia in late October.

Hoping all goes well for you guys, fingers crossed, and eyes and knees and toes and... When are you thinking you might end up in Valencia? Reason for asking, our next trip from August 9 to November 7 is planned to end in Valencia and maybe ?? we can overlap a bit. Keep us posted and when we start to blog again (likely around the beginning of August) our plans should be more firmed up.

You get a pass, Scott. You have been journaling for five years and you can't leave us hanging at this point. Reading your ongoing journal while you are not necessarily on tour makes your journal more like a real journal and makes me think I'm reading one of Garrison Keillor's musings. It's like what John Lennon said, "Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans." Life is what is happening while you map out your next touring plans.