The last few days have been spent getting ready for the September 7 departure. Making a bike box, acquiring rear panniers that fit the bike rack, and deciding what clothes to take. (Got a very visible, orange jacket at REI!). Everything I take has to be pulled over the Alps so must travel light. I am trying to get by on less than twenty pounds which includes bike bags, bike maintenance stuff, and all clothes. Also have assembled a small but complete pharmacy to ward off and/or control various ailments, the most important of which is the inevitable cold that airplanes seem to provide me. Let's see, touch as little as possible, wash hands frequently, keep hands away from face, use anti-bacterial hand solution, choke down some Airborne, and no sucking on door knobs. And then
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