Lessons in my first 1000 km of riding...

• Always important to close all of your pockets when cycling (Jehovah’s angels may not be on every corner to find your wallet)
• If you are on a road and you think it might be a highway, and locals keep stopping their car to yell something to you in Italian, chances are you are probably on a highway...but remember, a confused look with an endearing smile goes a long way for law enforcement.
• Mountains and hills: as challenging as the terrain may look, it makes the feeling of achievement that much more intense when reaching a summit, especially cycling close to 50km/hr on the way down
• While taking a water & breather at a roadside gas station that offers beer, be sure not to let the local Italians give you too much beer, as their intentions may not be of the purest form, they may be strangely attracted to the smell of sweat and dirty laundry you are carrying..
• An extensive musical playlist is essential, or a word for word memorization of every song on your playlist will eventually happen.
• Any extra gear that you think you may not need: do not bring, as every kilo counts when climbing.
• A tent makes for off the road camping that much more of the adventure...
• A GPS is great, especially when two separate signs going in opposite directions indicate going to the same city.
• A “clean” dry pair of socks feels like heaven after days of riding in the rain...
• A Gellato and a pizza are exactly what the doctor ordered when cycling 120+ km a day in Italy
• Eating delicious Italian cuisine excessively the night before a long ride, only means additional carbs for additional miles the next day...
• It is not necessary to cycle every day; take days off, take the train, enjoy the flow of having the option of cycling.  I realized that after just a day or two of rest, I was ready to get back on my saddle and continue the adventure.
• Cycling with a companion (man, woman, dog, rabbit) can be outstanding, as days of talking to yourself and meditating in the mountains can eventually even get an independent solo traveler lonely.

• Most importantly: Before this trip I had a belief that 100 miles was a long distance to travel by way of bicycle.  I recall a 65 mile trip I did with a few buddies in Hawaii.  I mentally prepared for a week or two and was fairly sore the next day. Truth is: I still do think 100 miles is a long way, however I realized that by simply setting my mind to conquer my initial goal (from Napoli to Sicily), my body followed my goal and I achieved it. Our bodies are capable of conquering just about anything, pushing ourselves to far beyond our mind’s limits, but the only way to really realize this, is just to take the first three foot toss to make it happen. (A three foot toss is that first step towards achieving your goal, which you are absolutely sure you know you are capable of doing: For me it was buying all of my cycling gear.)  For everyone, for every goal, for every dream, this three foot toss is different.  You are aware what your mind thinks you are capable of and what your spirit leads you toward.  Follow your spirit, it is not limited by judgements and misinterpretations.  When I was last in Europe, I had an idea of possibly doing a similar type of cycling trip, but just days before I left, I talked myself out of it, because I felt it was way beyond my comfort zone.  I couldn’t figure out the logistics of getting my bike around, visiting friends etc, and as a result I did not take the leap.  I had an excellent trip in Europe, but I knew this time would be different.  I also realized in just these few short weeks that logistically speaking: having my bicycle wherever makes travel and getting around a lot easier.  

Therefore, that spirit led decision of buying my bike, bike box and all my gear just a few days before flying to Naples, was one hundred percent accurate.  Every day I spend cycling has been an eye opening experience to more accurately and fully appreciating Italy, beyond just the cities and into the heart of the countryside. Riding through some of these small towns along the way, and receiving just a simple “chow” or “Bonjourno” with a smile from a local, has opened a greater space of love inside of my heart.

I am treasuring and looking forward to my continued journey through Spain, Marrocco and France and the future adventures that cycle touring will bring forward for me and my worldly and spiritual growth.  I’ll do my best to continue to share photos and blog entries along the way.  

Jehovah's angels in Italy

This cycling journey literally began by being graced by jehovah’s angels.

I was not even ten minutes into my first ride, my heart expansive

my mind open,

I was on a high

Exhilirated to finally begin my first cycle touring

Down the coast through one of the most beautiful countries and coastal rides in the world.

Who would not have a space of high energy, high spirit running through their veins.

I was staying up in the Marini area of Cava, just outside of Salerno.

I set my pedal down and off I began, down a large hill and into the town of Salerno, (just south of Naples)

Rain literally pulmed every inch of my me and my belongings..

I did not care

I was testing the waterproofness of my gear...

Along salerno’s oceanside coastal area I flew

pedals as quickly as they could go, with the 30+ kg of weight I was carrying

my body was slighly confused, yet adrenaline overwhelmed me

I set salerno to my back and I began my long ride towards the city of Agropoli, where I may be spending the evening, depending on my pace and my temperment...

About 3 hours after I had set foot on my pedals and began my journey, I realized my gear on the back of my bike needed a slight shift and readjustment.

Even though the rain continued to cover me, I was still smiling with joy...

I stopped my bike on the side of the road,

took a look at my rear belongings

and suddenly I slide my hand down the left side of my shorts and realized the pocket where I keep my wallet was wide open....

oh boy...

I immediately began to backtrack in my mind

and then seconds later, my phone rings...

on the other line is a man.

“AAArrroon” in a very strong Italian accent.

I answer yes, I look down at the number and I do not recognize it

He says “Duuutch?

“Francais?”

Allemagna?”

All of which I answer no and he indicates

“5 Minutees”

I say ok and he hangs up...

I have no idea who this is

I have no idea what he is calling about..

I am not sure it is from a fellow couch-surfer, as I left my number in a few group posts.

Immediately after this anomous call I receive a call from my potential hosts in agropoli, so I know it is not them...

After these calls, reality sets in and I begin to search through where I think I might have left my wallet, but in the back of my mind, I know I do not have it

It has fallen out somewhere on the road between here and 3 hours ago, up a huge hill near cava....

In a country where I do not speak the language

on a rainy cold day at the sea..

I have around a hundred dollars US on me, but I am suddenly aware that this cycling trip may be coming to a screaching halt in the road...

However, witinin my spirit’s knowing and my inner intuition, I think this man who called just moments after I realized the loss of my wallet, might be the solution to my problems,

but honestly, in what real world is that possible.

My wallet fell out of my pocket while cycling down a fairly major road in italy,

I just spent two weeks in napoli, where theft is a common occurence, in a country where employment is not exactly on the rise and people’s need, like anyone would greatly enjoy the 120 euro I had in my wallet, along with easy access to all of my credit cards for as long before I got to a phone to cancel my cards...

So in these moments, I turn to some moments of prayer, meditation and just gratitude for the best outcome for this situation, whatever it may be...

just moment later, the phone rings and it is the mother of the man who called earlier...

I ask her,

“do you have my wallet” as though she may possibly have a clue what I am refferring to..

She answers, calmly and kindly “yes, and we have all the money in it as well!”

“We are jehova’s witnesses, and my son noticed your wallet flying all around in the rain up near Cava and he picked it up.” (luckily and gracefully, I had put my sim card holder from vodaphone in my wallet, mainly because I did not know anywhere else to put it)

So naturally, they found what was in there and he called me!!!

i was overwhelmed with joy, gratitude and just simple god’s grace upon this journey!

I cycled back the 40 km to salerno, through rain and wind, that I was sure was stronger, heavier and more intense than before and met these two angels in the train station.

I realized after speaking with his mother, her son was just out of a job, and easily could have just taken this wallet for its belongings, but instead he chose to make the divinely guided choice and as a result I made two new friends in Cava!

I left some euro’s for his good deed, even though he was reluctant, and I set out on my cycle for the day, with an aura of appreciation, awe and just joy for how amazingly perfect this journey was beginning...

cycling tales of italy begins...

The beginnings of my journey started today, friday the 13th of April.

After completing the ends of my annual two week "ops" with the navy, I began my cycling tour down the Coast of Italy.

Well I got about 2 feet out the door of the hotel and was already soaked due to downpours! So my initial plan B took affect; with a train out of dirty Naples, heading to a small village Cava De'Tirreni to meet my first couchsurfing host for this trip. After a short one hour train ride out of the city (took train to eleviate getting run over and soaked with dirty puddle water, while potenially getting lost in Naples), I arrived in this suburd city of Napoli. It was getting late, and I still had a large hill climb to the even smaller village of Marini for my evening of sleep and conversations with a new friend.

Dianne is great, a canadian born, Italian living English teacher with a great humour, and an even more hiliarious blog. Check it out here, with some of her real conversations she shares through her "dating" fiascoes dealing with Italian men.

Hilarious real life humour, LOVE IT.

My first day of cycling awaits me, hopefully with some dry terrain down the coast!

Here's some Naples flowers, that sets the tone for the rustic, edgy and beautiful space Napoli leaves in my heart....

and of course the beautiful amalfi coast...

beginnings...

A tale once told many times before,

I walk quietly out the front door

the earth before me shines her pearly bright head

and I listen softly to the drums of her gentle simple tongue

for this game she plays with my heart

why must it stir so strongly amongst the young..

the young of her bussom, waiting for their time in the sun

but you see

mother nature knows nothing less than this simple fun

to lay herself simply upon the dreams of your awaiting tongue

sipping fairy dreams to the quests of this nimble and young

so this walk to which I have arisen many times before

it stirs me quietly as I walk gracefully out the front door...