The first 40th

Friday, 25 June 2010 00:00

Here it is, we spent the 40th. 40th anniversary for MC, 40 km / day on average, 40th jar of peanut butter, 40th pound of pasta. All in 1/40th of our trip. 40th mosquito bite, 40th loaf, 40th to fall off (Thanks Thomas !!!).

It's true, 15 days since we left 40 / 2 rue de Champy, 40-2 St. Egrève. And so many things already seen, roads traveled, met people and yet it is nothing. That leaves 39 to discover and live. This is only the beginning, the beginning, making brands. Even if the equipment has been tested quickly in Chartreuse during 40/10 days, under real conditions of every day it is different, there are still some things to try:
Roll-a day in the rain, even thin quickly showed us the limits of membranes Goretex shoes: big crap! it lets the water like a fine filter: it does notgo fast but your feet are wet anyway. A chance MC in her research has equipped us with merino wool socks: even wet your feet do not smell! and you are under the impression of having dry feet. Thank you to those who know waterproof walking shoes (Exit boots Eagles, neoprene and Mapa gloves modified for foot) which resist the long term.
Fit-tents, already wet from morning's rain, under the rain and wind, with the tarp as shelter, without getting wet, or that the protections of the soil does fly! Sport insured and quick. The tarp course held at arm's length, half hidden beneath the rest of the crew. 4 trees 5 m apart to hang the tarp is in dreams or in the math problems that you find them!
Besides drying the wet clothes in a day of running in the rain at a temperature of 10-15 ° C and humidity close to 80 %..... no obvious water exchange. I do not speak of that would have took down the water .......
Idem, bushcooker turn on the rain with wet wood .... it takes for alcohol pellets having a good flame that will heat water for pasta and tea for the morning! Without relying on my clumsiness of reversing the pan of water on said low fire. Not really fun for children who have the hooks, to see their father delaying meals 20-30 minutes ......
True, for now water is sometimes a problem for us, but we have sought: we have paper maps, Type PQ-absorbent, clothes goose down. ... but what is certain is that in the 40th we'll talk some water, but not in the same way.
Water, admittedly, with the bikes that we drew compliments from the people we met.
A 40th also to see how we can organize for the future where we will have to add in addition to rolling and the rest of time, teaching cned courses, and especially learning Spanish! Easter for now it is not possible.
It is true that the change of life we ​​wanted, we impose on children: for now it is summer vacation early. The idea of ​​a cut and a complete change with Champy is not yet integrated all. No worries, it will come. Julie hard to accept to get up at 6:45-7am to be ready to ride at 8 pm at the Fresh! It is still the "punishment" as a survey earlier. For me too it's hard, but 30 km aligned at noon is 20 for the afternoon and time later and shorter days on the bikes. For Mallori and Thomas, it poses fewer problems, they are the first stand, head in the bucket to Thomas, but ready to take their breakfast!! Maëlle then follows. Anyway, if she is tired she continues her night in Burley, provided I roll .....
Thus ended the first 40th. Full of lessons, promises, expectations.
Strongly the other 39!!
JR