I enjoy your photos (from both of you) but I’m unwilling to give up my camera viewfinder. So often, I can’t see the screen on my phone!

So I still carry my Oly EM-1ii, but took only one lens on my most recent trip (14-150) and, of course, my polarizing filter.

One day I may cut back to only a phone, but not until I replace my phone with one with a more versatile camera (and a screen that’s visible in all light conditions).

We take almost the same stuff on every tour. I use ultrasil packing cubes and stuff sacks; Al is getting faster at putting his things into his many (8!) small bags. This is because his bike develops nasty speed shimmies if the weight isn’t well distributed. It’s also forced him to cut down what he carries. The big change this year was that we carried one electric toothbrush handle between us, with our own brush heads. Al, of course, carried it.

We each bring two sets of riding kit. My preferred bibs don’t always dry overnight and we both use the jersey pockets for wallet and phone. I used to wear merino t-shirts but I still wore MTB baggies (with pockets) for touring then.

I can’t give up my proper camera but it travels in my handlebar bag for easy access. It rarely goes on day rides, though, because I can’t fit it if the bar bag has rain gear, and I miss it. I’ve never even considered carrying a kettle. I guess we all have our own musts.

Thanks. When more happens I guess there is more to report!

You had a lot of challenges this year! Congratulations on surviving!! I followed along faithfully and look forward to next year's journal.

Yes, I feel like we got caught out more this year because the weather was so wet but I will be double checking all the off-road bits in the future.

Thank you Kelly. I do the summary or reflections (or whatever) because I have found that very useful when others do it. Good luck with planning for next year’s tour. I’m already at it.

You sure know your plants and flowers!

Passionflowers are so interesting! One of my favorites.

Thank you especially for these last few pages - it's always nice to learn from the experience of others. We hope to tour Europe again next summer. I will be coming back to your journal for suggestions!

I’ve taken to checking all my routes on Google satellite to avoid unpleasant unpaved bits.

Dave,
Your photos were stupendous!
Whatever you did...it worked.
Stu

Hi Jill

Try a helmet mirror as modelled by Susan Carpenter on the right side of your helmet for your UK trip.

Steve, we found a small storage unit in Munich (MyPlace on Chiemgaustrasse) where we store our bikes. It’s been great. We were in Munich in the spring of2022 and bought our bikes then, but before we could buy them we had to find a place to store them. I had done some research beforehand so had a handle on the possibilities and it worked out well. We pay for a year in advance because they give a 15 percent discount. It being Germany the storage place have been very clear and easy to work with, which is reassuring. It was the only way we could do this: we feel we can’t handle riding on regular bikes anymore, like we did in the past. Previously I toured on a road bike with S and S couplings and we also travelled with a tandem (also with couplings). But, now I don’t feel confident enough on a regular bike while touring. Dave is much stronger and could probably handle it.

Steve, our yellow jackets are Goretex, ordered on line, and stupidly expensive but we have been very happy with them and they have been worth the cost, given the amount of rain we have had.

Safe flight home! Thank you for all of your valuable information + fun!