Europe

Day number five of our trip across southern Belgium to Rochefort would provide the ying to my yang. This would be the antithesis of the first day from Bomal to La Chouffe.

Even the best laid plans change. Bastogne did. The previous day, our first of six cycling days and on paper, the most strenuous with a bountiful number of miles of elevation gain

As quickly as we touched down in Bomal, extolling the qualities of Bressene and Orval, time and distance mandated we cycle on. Cycling Belgium preparations

Marie-France furnished advice about cycling, beer, and chocolate in Belgian at which point, in a moment of weakness mixed with genuine hospitality, as could be read on her face, she shared a single piece of chocolate from her personal stash.

Some men buy expensive sports cars. Others find a younger woman. I traveled to Iceland. My midlife crisis consisted of wearing really tight cycling

Belgian beer and I go way back. I decided to spend my 40th birthday doing some things I love. Thus the idea of biking around Belgium was born.

Two years ago, teachers and I bounced around northeastern Spain with twenty something teenagers. It was so much fun the first time, we decided to do it again with another group. The cold, wet, nippy weather followed us from Omaha to London, and then jumped on the plane to Barcelona.

A London stop was added to the itinerary which meant dividing one long haul flight into shorter, more manageable flights. Ultimately, it would result in less debilitating jet lag. Also, a full day in London meant a chance to see the British Royal Jewels, ride the Underground, the London Tower, and gain a CliffsNotes feel for the Old Smoke.