July 28th through August 11th, 2012 will be the dates for our next trip, which will take us to northern Italy where we will find the beautiful Dolomites mountain range and the Italian Alps. This trip will be very challenging and preparation is a must. However the results will be very rewarding. We will be climbing the Zoncolan, Stelvio, Gavia, Mortirolo and many other mountains. If you do all the rides, the plan is to do 900 miles and 100,000 ft. of climbing. However, there are options for shorter days and rest days, since we are staying in Cortina and Bormio for multiple days.

If you are interested in this trip, give us a call at 570-784-6524 and we’ll give you all the information you need.

After packing our bicycles last night we set out to Amsterdam by train. The day was spent by visiting museums, the Anne Frank House and the flower market. Another wonderful trip had come to an end.

Plans are underway for a trip to the Italian Alps and Dolomites for the summer of 2012 and a trip to Ireland in 2013.

To the cheese market we went. Thousands of other people did as well. That’s right, the cheese market in Alkmaar is that popular. Big wheels of cheese, weighing about 20 lbs. are brought in and auctioned off among the buyers. Lots of pictures were taken!!! Our ride set out to Volendam, a picturesque village along the IJselmeer. Meer means lake; the water level in the lake was well above the land on the inside of the dike. Without the dike, the lake would be much bigger! After a short visit we finished back in Badhoevedorp, where we had started a week ago.

The day started with a visit to the Porcelijne Fles, the factory that produces the world famous Delft Blue Pottery. With the wind pushing out of the north, we set out in that direction towards Alkmaar. Most of the day was spent on beautiful bicycle paths through the dunes along the North Sea. Even a broken chain could not stop us from reaching our destination.

 All good things come must come to an end. This morning we got ready for our final ride of what has been an incredible trip. The mountains that we climbed, the scenery that we saw, this journey will stay with us for the rest of our lives. At times it was extremely hard and intimidating but we persevered and left with a lot of satisfaction. Thanks to all who went along and all who followed us on the web and gave us all the encouragement that we needed. And above all a special thanks to Cindy and Cheryl, our support crew; we could not have done this trip without you!!!!!!