In just 24 days my identity will abruptly flip from working stiff to retiree. Albeit exciting, the uncertainty of a whole new routine demands some caution. It seems many retirees aren't prepared for the new-found problem of too much time. They not only have time to do what they want, but also enough time to tell you about it ... all about it ... in excruciating detail. Never ask a retiree how they are doing. They will tell you! ... for two hours, including every pain, doctor's appointment, and medication. I'd like to avoid doing that, for the sake of those I care about. Somehow, I will need to consume my time. All of it.
Even after the travel and activities my wife and I plan as a couple, I'll still have too much time on my hands. Riding my bike, as I do now, will help ... but its not enough. I need new ventures.
Sooooo, I took up mountain biking to eat some of that impending endowment of time. While not a typical new hobby for a sexagenarian, its been fun, challenging and time consuming ... perfect. Besides, its humbling to get smoked by some little eight year old shredder. Humility is good. Right?
Some of that time will include planning and riding multi-day tours by bicycle. With a three-week, a two-week and several weekend self-sustained tours under my proverbial belt, I now have time for something bigger. I'd like to ride a multi-month and several multi-week tours per year. Top multi-month route candidates for next year include:
1. The North Sea - Not in the sea, but around it. Eurovelo's "12" route starts at the tippy top of the Shetland Islands, sweeps down along the UK's eastern coastline, across the English Channel, along sea-bordering parts of France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden, ending in Bergen Norway. Over 4,000 miles and three months.
2. Eastern Canada - There's no established route for this one and I've only loosely looked at possibilities, but Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and the St Lawrence Seaway would be involved. Two months and 2,500 to 3,000 miles estimated.
3. South Korea - It turns out South Korea has committed to building a vast bicycle infrastructure throughout much of the country, with many miles of pathway in place. One could see much of the country with over half the riding along safe bike-ways. Considering how unseasoned I am with the Korean culture and customs, the idea of traffic-free riding appeals to me. Two months, including some off-bike exploration and 1,600 to 2,000 miles.
