![First break, one hour after leaving home, realizing what I had got myself into](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/452/31738728000_49516ae7d7_b.jpg?h=230)
First break, one hour after leaving home, realizing what I had got myself into
Warwickshire | UK | Cycling Europe
![Sun setting on the first day, on the edge of the Cotswolds](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/392/31741388730_b2283b2d86_b.jpg?h=230)
Sun setting on the first day, on the edge of the Cotswolds
Warwickshire | UK | Cycling Europe
![Slow going, after widespread floods across the UK](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/65535/31306607793_bcecf58732_b.jpg?h=230)
Slow going, after widespread floods across the UK
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![Muddy spot for the first night of the trip, discovered in the pitch black](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/509/32077705296_275b7ac460_b.jpg?h=230)
Muddy spot for the first night of the trip, discovered in the pitch black
Near Chipping Norton | UK | Cycling Europe
![Last few days in the UK](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/479/32116640845_0024785eaf_b.jpg?h=230)
Last few days in the UK
Somewhere near Hastings | UK | Cycling Europe
![Arrived in Folkestone just as the sun went down, and struggled up the hill to Dover and the ferry in the dark.](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/756/31741413170_1cb5796e0c_b.jpg?h=230)
Arrived in Folkestone just as the sun went down, and struggled up the hill to Dover and the ferry in the dark.
Near Folkestone | UK | Cycling Europe
![The stretch from Calais to Paris was pretty difficult, in strong headwinds, along straight and surprisingly boring roads.](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/765/32131781715_ac553edc39_b.jpg?h=230)
The stretch from Calais to Paris was pretty difficult, in strong headwinds, along straight and surprisingly boring roads.
Leaving Calais | France | Cycling Europe
![On the way from Calais to Paris](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/429/31321847943_1df90c136d_b.jpg?h=230)
On the way from Calais to Paris
Abbeville Cathedral | France | Cycling Europe
![31321852453_ddcbaaaed7_b](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/65535/31321852453_ddcbaaaed7_b.jpg?h=230)
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![About to join the Loire](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/632/31321857123_5ffb6f7711_b.jpg?h=230)
About to join the Loire
Orleans | France | Cycling Europe
![Super cool cycle route leaving Orleans, on the walkway on the left hand side. Good for cycling at night lit up by the moon and stars :)](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/605/31321861343_614341f088_b.jpg?h=230)
Super cool cycle route leaving Orleans, on the walkway on the left hand side. Good for cycling at night lit up by the moon and stars 🙂
The Loire | France | Cycling Europe
![Camped across the river from this chateau](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/65535/31756890480_b0ecb2c915_b.jpg?h=230)
Camped across the river from this chateau
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![For some reason set of at about 6am, before the sun came up, after wild camping in an unused campsite](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/400/32013266191_a6a6b6db67_b.jpg?h=230)
For some reason set of at about 6am, before the sun came up, after wild camping in an unused campsite
Near Sancerre | France | Cycling Europe
![First stay at a place I found on warmshowers.org, near Decize, just off the Loire. Stayed for free, ate lots of savoury pancakes and drank lots of beer, and they even helped me fix my bike up](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/65535/32013268991_1ed8c65129_b.jpg?h=230)
First stay at a place I found on warmshowers.org, near Decize, just off the Loire. Stayed for free, ate lots of savoury pancakes and drank lots of beer, and they even helped me fix my bike up
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![Just after the rainstorm](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/747/32013271781_c36a850d8f_b.jpg?h=230)
Just after the rainstorm
Leaving Decize | France | Cycling Europe
![A big centre for pilgrims with lots of monasteries and convents.](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/778/32013274591_47c51690c3_b.jpg?h=230)
A big centre for pilgrims with lots of monasteries and convents.
Paray-le-Monial | France | Cycling Europe
![Saying goodbye to my hosts in Lyon. Arrived here a bit tired and Alex and Celine gave me a room for the whole weekend and lots of free craft beer. Amazing people!](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/769/31321885013_aa0c9d86cf_b.jpg?h=230)
Saying goodbye to my hosts in Lyon. Arrived here a bit tired and Alex and Celine gave me a room for the whole weekend and lots of free craft beer. Amazing people!
Lyon | France | Cycling Europe
![Leaving Lyon | France | Cycling Europe](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/520/31756903260_1e31e178b0_b.jpg?h=230)
Leaving Lyon | France | Cycling Europe
![Approaching Grenoble | France | Cycling Europe](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/311/31756907540_94e436bfc8_b.jpg?h=230)
Approaching Grenoble | France | Cycling Europe
![Leaving Grenoble | France | Cycling Europe](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/404/31756911890_4b91c4cf57_b.jpg?h=230)
Leaving Grenoble | France | Cycling Europe
![On the way to St Guillaume | France | Cycling Europe](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/528/32131822105_cf612f8a70_b.jpg?h=230)
On the way to St Guillaume | France | Cycling Europe
![Got to stay at my friends empty house, in this awesome village in the Alps](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/657/31290713094_3b614c65fc_b.jpg?h=230)
Got to stay at my friends empty house, in this awesome village in the Alps
St Guillaume | France | Cycling Europe
![Lots of climbing amid lots of snow](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/260/31321897443_c68ecb5ee8_b.jpg?h=230)
Lots of climbing amid lots of snow
Leaving St Guillaume | France | Cycling Europe
![Camping in the mountains](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/426/31321899983_9f669a9541_b.jpg?h=230)
Camping in the mountains
On the way to Gap | France | Cycling Europe
![Near Gap | France | Cycling Europe](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/265/31290730244_b24eae7910_b.jpg?h=230)
Near Gap | France | Cycling Europe
![Sun came out for first day of proper climbing in the Alps](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/666/31290736214_ea350defc9_b.jpg?h=230)
Sun came out for first day of proper climbing in the Alps
Near Gap | France | Cycling Europe
![Last lunch in the Grand Alps, before taking on the Col du Noyer](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/513/31290742374_860a32af5e_b.jpg?h=230)
Last lunch in the Grand Alps, before taking on the Col du Noyer
Near Le Devoluy | France | Cycling Europe
![Made it to near the top of this very cool pass, but the road was covered in snow and the police arrived to tell me to turn back.](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/646/31290745454_eae3201026_b.jpg?h=230)
Made it to near the top of this very cool pass, but the road was covered in snow and the police arrived to tell me to turn back.
Col du Noyer | France | Cycling Europe
![Dramatic entrance to the city heralding the arrival of the South](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/345/31321911763_9db055be17_b.jpg?h=230)
Dramatic entrance to the city heralding the arrival of the South
Sisteron | France | Cycling Europe
![Sisteron | France | Cycling Europe](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/425/32131848335_28e7a7a576_b.jpg?h=230)
Sisteron | France | Cycling Europe
![Made it through the Gorges in a blizzard and struggled to find a spot to camp in the snow. Ended up pitching the tent underneath this overhangng roof which worked a treat.](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/313/32131851615_4115da7a35_b.jpg?h=230)
Made it through the Gorges in a blizzard and struggled to find a spot to camp in the snow. Ended up pitching the tent underneath this overhangng roof which worked a treat.
Near the Gorges of Verdun | France | Cycling Europe
![Gorges of Verdun | France | Cycling Europe](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/501/32013318641_85894567d2_b.jpg?h=230)
Gorges of Verdun | France | Cycling Europe
![Gorges of Verdun | France | Cycling Europe](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/443/32013322081_d10424a6df_b.jpg?h=230)
Gorges of Verdun | France | Cycling Europe
![Some wonderful cycling on the way to Nice, staying up high in the snow-covered mountains before a sudden descent to the coast.](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/371/32013326021_4d6e727a76_b.jpg?h=230)
Some wonderful cycling on the way to Nice, staying up high in the snow-covered mountains before a sudden descent to the coast.
The Maritime Alps | France | Cycling Europe
![The start of the descent to Nice, over the mountains.](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/558/31321926913_7d57e0aa40_b.jpg?h=230)
The start of the descent to Nice, over the mountains.
On the way to Nice | France | Cycling Europe
![Last picture before I crossed the border into Italy, with Ventimiglia on the other side](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/634/32013332101_d14a3ee1dc_b.jpg?h=230)
Last picture before I crossed the border into Italy, with Ventimiglia on the other side
Approaching the Italian border | France | Cycling Europe
![At the border between Nice and Ventimglia](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/65535/32013336081_68eae9ef2c_b.jpg?h=230)
At the border between Nice and Ventimglia
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![Detour after a landslide had closed the main road](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/389/32093241706_b3cf39ff53_b.jpg?h=230)
Detour after a landslide had closed the main road
Near San Remo | Italy | Cycling Europe
![Genoa | Italy | Cycling Europe](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/642/32093244326_cdc106497d_b.jpg?h=230)
Genoa | Italy | Cycling Europe
![Glorious cycling in the hills surrounding teh five villages of Cinque Terre](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/526/32093247106_39176f3191_b.jpg?h=230)
Glorious cycling in the hills surrounding teh five villages of Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre | Italy | Cycling Europe
![Cinque Terre | Italy | Cycling Europe](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/574/32093250106_14748c0a8d_b.jpg?h=230)
Cinque Terre | Italy | Cycling Europe
![Cinque Terre | Italy | Cycling Europe](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/498/31321951133_92bffb8254_b.jpg?h=230)
Cinque Terre | Italy | Cycling Europe
![Really enjoyed cycling along endless beach promenades, lined with art deco hotels and pavilions](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/5602/31321953843_83a7e0634d_b.jpg?h=230)
Really enjoyed cycling along endless beach promenades, lined with art deco hotels and pavilions
Liguria Province | Italy | Cycling Europe
![First proper break](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/65535/31983300752_b85ec61df7_b.jpg?h=230)
First proper break
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![Pisa | Italy | Cycling Europe](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/380/31321960003_d82b985f95_b.jpg?h=230)
Pisa | Italy | Cycling Europe
![Pisa | Italy | Cycling Europe](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/480/32013367001_10e414ab08_b.jpg?h=230)
Pisa | Italy | Cycling Europe
![Florence | Italy | Cycling Europe](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/600/31321965513_2b203e0787_b.jpg?h=230)
Florence | Italy | Cycling Europe
![Ravenna | Italy | Cycling Europe](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/602/32013373171_ec2ea5e304_b.jpg?h=230)
Ravenna | Italy | Cycling Europe
![Ravenna | Italy | Cycling Europe](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/457/32013376191_a6b4a62942_b.jpg?h=230)
Ravenna | Italy | Cycling Europe
![Gateway to the Dolomites](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/765/32013379371_55b7b7a0da_b.jpg?h=230)
Gateway to the Dolomites
Bassano del Grappa | Italy | Cycling Europe
![The Dolomites | Italy | Cycling Europe](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/703/32013381921_36a7b72f55_b.jpg?h=230)
The Dolomites | Italy | Cycling Europe
![The Dolomites | Italy | Cycling Europe](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/679/32013384471_cd92640cbe_b.jpg?h=230)
The Dolomites | Italy | Cycling Europe
![Great cycling paths with tunnels and bridges](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/317/31983330162_68d60943c6_b.jpg?h=230)
Great cycling paths with tunnels and bridges
The Dolomites | Italy | Cycling Europe
![Winter Olympics ski jump](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/297/31757007980_6bee543520_b.jpg?h=230)
Winter Olympics ski jump
Cortina D'Ampezzo | Italy | Cycling Europe
![View from the campsite in the valley](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/557/31290819824_1aaab47ff6_b.jpg?h=230)
View from the campsite in the valley
Cortina D'Ampezzo | Italy | Cycling Europe
![31290822854_59d870fcb8_b](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/65535/31290822854_59d870fcb8_b.jpg?h=230)
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![On the way up to Tre Cime di Lavaredo.](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/65535/31983336552_09f54999cb_b.jpg?h=230)
On the way up to Tre Cime di Lavaredo.
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![On the way down the mountain, after Tre Cime was snowed off.](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/572/31290826834_efe9f835f0_b.jpg?h=230)
On the way down the mountain, after Tre Cime was snowed off.
Tre Cime di Lavaredo | Italy | Cycling Europe
![Tre Cime di Lavaredo | Italy | Cycling Europe](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/409/31757024560_9681b99258_b.jpg?h=230)
Tre Cime di Lavaredo | Italy | Cycling Europe
![Cadore Lake | Italy | Cycling Europe](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/311/32093303936_f1d57d7108_b.jpg?h=230)
Cadore Lake | Italy | Cycling Europe
![The Dolomites | Italy | Cycling Europe](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/492/31757030030_f21905baf1_b.jpg?h=230)
The Dolomites | Italy | Cycling Europe
![Really beautiful and quiet lake on the way to the Slovenian border.](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/310/31757032390_044fa0c6b3_b.jpg?h=230)
Really beautiful and quiet lake on the way to the Slovenian border.
Lago di Cavazzo | Italy | Cycling Europe
![On the way to the Tarvisio / Ratece border into Slovenia](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/521/31757034740_0ccaec4acd_b.jpg?h=230)
On the way to the Tarvisio / Ratece border into Slovenia
Near the Border with Slovenia | Italy | Cycling Europe
![On the way to the Tarvisio / Ratece border into Slovenia](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/454/31290841144_7f85112409_b.jpg?h=230)
On the way to the Tarvisio / Ratece border into Slovenia
Near the Border with Slovenia | Italy | Cycling Europe
![First stop in Slovenia](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/649/31290845844_0826011799_b.jpg?h=230)
First stop in Slovenia
Lake Bled | Slovenia | Cycling Europe
![On a day trip from Lake Bled to Lake Bohinj, halfway there](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/65535/31290849744_2942603d6d_b.jpg?h=230)
On a day trip from Lake Bled to Lake Bohinj, halfway there
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![Lake Bohinj | Slovenia | Cycling Europe](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/683/31290853974_e0de88f97f_b.jpg?h=230)
Lake Bohinj | Slovenia | Cycling Europe
![Lake Bohinj | Slovenia | Cycling Europe](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/413/32013410061_8791bf93c7_b.jpg?h=230)
Lake Bohinj | Slovenia | Cycling Europe
![Lake Bohinj | Slovenia | Cycling Europe](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/476/32013412091_bf5bb6364b_b.jpg?h=230)
Lake Bohinj | Slovenia | Cycling Europe
![Lake Bled | Slovenia | Cycling Europe](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/390/31290865944_1ce5bb9dc2_b.jpg?h=230)
Lake Bled | Slovenia | Cycling Europe
![Lake Bled | Slovenia | Cycling Europe](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/299/32013417771_e09fb5863f_b.jpg?h=230)
Lake Bled | Slovenia | Cycling Europe
![The first cycle tourer I met](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/65535/32013421551_aaa2590197_b.jpg?h=230)
The first cycle tourer I met
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![31290876024_d885de519f_b](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/65535/31290876024_d885de519f_b.jpg?h=230)
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![End of a long day cycling the coast from Trieste to Porec](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/65535/31290879614_e5e2925a2a_b.jpg?h=230)
End of a long day cycling the coast from Trieste to Porec
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![Pula | Croatia | Cycling Europe](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/342/31290883154_7f8cc9de59_b.jpg?h=230)
Pula | Croatia | Cycling Europe
![Pula | Croatia | Cycling Europe](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/529/31290886024_517bbf7959_b.jpg?h=230)
Pula | Croatia | Cycling Europe
![First of many island hops, from Krk to Rab Island.](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/365/31757062940_0902c3bf5a_b.jpg?h=230)
First of many island hops, from Krk to Rab Island.
Krk Island | Croatia | Cycling Europe
![Arriving at Lopar, on the moon-like landscape of Rab Island, made up of very young earth.](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/660/31757066690_db76586db8_b.jpg?h=230)
Arriving at Lopar, on the moon-like landscape of Rab Island, made up of very young earth.
Rab Island | Croatia | Cycling Europe
![Lopar | Croatia | Cycling Europe](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/336/32093344816_bccf227c39_b.jpg?h=230)
Lopar | Croatia | Cycling Europe
![Rab Island | Croatia | Cycling Europe](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/448/32093348096_463b500b9a_b.jpg?h=230)
Rab Island | Croatia | Cycling Europe
![The coast of the Croatian mainland is in the distance.](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/445/31322050053_4ab9827ff1_b.jpg?h=230)
The coast of the Croatian mainland is in the distance.
Pag Island | Croatia | Cycling Europe
![The last isand before Dubrovnik and the end of Croatia](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/65535/32131968785_02ca559feb_b.jpg?h=230)
The last isand before Dubrovnik and the end of Croatia
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![31757080140_f1fd4d248d_b](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/65535/31757080140_f1fd4d248d_b.jpg?h=230)
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![31983395812_3fe1606f54_b](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/65535/31983395812_3fe1606f54_b.jpg?h=230)
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![Beautiful beaches along the coast road from Budva to Bar in Montenegro](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/65535/31983398292_3da5d6438d_b.jpg?h=230)
Beautiful beaches along the coast road from Budva to Bar in Montenegro
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![Looking over the border into Albania from Montenegro](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/65535/31757086420_f35e012ee0_b.jpg?h=230)
Looking over the border into Albania from Montenegro
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![Getting stopped by many kids in each village in Albania](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/462/31983402382_3ce477d00f_b.jpg?h=230)
Getting stopped by many kids in each village in Albania
Between Shkoder and Tirana | Albania | Cycling Europe
![The Tata family, who took me in when I got a bit lost in the dark and made me a whole roast dinner, and gave me beer. Legends!](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/319/32013475381_d284170786_b.jpg?h=230)
The Tata family, who took me in when I got a bit lost in the dark and made me a whole roast dinner, and gave me beer. Legends!
Near Lushnje | Albania | Cycling Europe
![31983409422_8c7bac844b_b](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/65535/31983409422_8c7bac844b_b.jpg?h=230)
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![Starting to climb in Greece, on the way up to Metsovo.](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/65535/31983412682_dc4b7bccc1_b.jpg?h=230)
Starting to climb in Greece, on the way up to Metsovo.
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![Starting the descent!](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/65535/31983415232_be50ce5ebe_b.jpg?h=230)
Starting the descent!
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![This guy insisted I join him for a lot of wine and Raki to celebrate my arrival from the UK.](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/666/31290925694_267174da6a_b.jpg?h=230)
This guy insisted I join him for a lot of wine and Raki to celebrate my arrival from the UK.
Modi | Greece | Cycling Europe
![Europe complete..](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/65535/31290931754_4fa32828e1_b.jpg?h=230)
Europe complete..
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![31983429232_cec9780a5d_b](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/65535/31983429232_cec9780a5d_b.jpg?h=230)
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