Epilogue: The UK

Now that the dust has settled I have to say....

...that was a tough one!

Even though during Korea last month we had wished we spent a month really touring around the country I'm glad we chose to tack on England. Both were good options and it's nice for once in life to choose between good and good. With that said, the UK tour wasn't a walk in the park. Although, since we "warmed up" with Korea that made it more bearable in the beginning but at the same time, it was humbling because we could barely crank out 30-ish miles/day that first week. 

If you're looking to tour, I wouldn't recommend the whole of the UK being your first rodeo but some parts of it are fine. 

One thing that made this difficult was the lack of rest days. Normally I like to ride six days a week sometimes five if we're lucky. But since we didn't cover a lot of ground at the beginning and we made Three Key Errors near the Lake District region then we shot ourselves in the foot.

Lily Rose and Joaquim got along fairly well in the trailer. So many times I would hear them laughing and it was the best ever. The way I figured, you could either be miserable and depressed at home with the kids or go be happy on vacation with them. They'll act the same wherever so you might as well be having fun at least, And that's what made it the best: just doing things with Holly and the squad.

The worst part was having the miscarriage. Even though I was ready and willing to throw in the towel at Perth, Holly wanted to finish the tour since we all started together. She's the best. Another reason why I married her.

The biggest lesson I learned on this trip was to always do a little more research. It will pay dividends later. 

Notes:

Total distance was approximately 1,080 miles completed in 24 days (23 actual days of riding).

One broken spoke! On the front wheel no less. 

I think we had five flat tires - three on the trailer and two on my back tire.

We camped a total of two times, the rest were hotels, inns, or friends/families homes. Hotels are nice and all but we were missing our camping.

Next biking trip? Our plan is next year in Singapore and Malaysia. But that depends if and when we get baby #3.

Anyone want to join?

Day #22 - 24: Inverness to John O' Groats, Scotland!

It's the last leg of the journey! During the middle of the trip, I told Holly that it's going to go by quick like Korea did and we'll be at the end wondering what happened and how it's already over..."and yet, here we are!"

These last three days were challenging because we wanted to be done on Wednesday in order to make it back to Worcester with enough time to visit friends and family before flying back to Okinawa. So we had to push some high miles with elevation. Not only that, our options for lodging were limited as the population is sparse up here. Places to eat were also sparse but we conquered every challenge that came across our way!

Listen. You can just hear them laugh and play. It's the best ever. See you can have the kids fight and play at home or on a fun biking trip. At least here I'm having fun.

Found this great biking shop that this police officer does part time from his home. He repaired my rare broken front spoke and he spruced up our bikes for free and gave us a light to put on since he's seen a thing or two in reagrds to car crashes with bikes.

Golden Wok is chewing on his toy and Golden Rose is drinking her smoothie.

We're getting into some mountains here in Scotland. It's all neat.

We found this perfectly placed play area for the kids to escape from the rain.

They loved it!

Finally, some Old English like they spoke in the Olden Days.

Nice boudoir setting for this pic.

This house is tiny. Like two feet tall. Who lives here?

I love the cool, black waters of the river. Here and Cornwall had them. Like the prophecy foretold, "the first shall be last and last shall be first." 

Only Holly and like four friends know of my love for the windmills. I have to have one (or more) in my front yard someday. And if I could get one of those black rivers with a water wheel on my property, then life would be complete. 

Now we can see the ocean from the north! We're getting close!

There are a lot of old abandoned stone homes and farms. They're all neat.

The phone booths are as ubiquitous in random places as the vending machines are in Japan!

Love these quiet, empty roads through the countryside.

We stayed at a quaint AirBnB with a real fireplace. Wished we could have stayed longer.

Red Dragon's first tooth!

The best ever.

Look at these rich homes right at the edge of John O' Groats. They're all neat.

This had an Icelandic-esque to it.

We made it! About 1,080 miles in total this one.

I was extra thirsty after hoofing it 36 miles to the finish line with no breathers. Too bad these drinks were sugar-free. Why do you guys like nasty sugar-free stuff? It ruins it.

Quick lunch before we board the bus!

Sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeepy mushrooms 🍄💤

This was the wildest bus in the world. We're on the top deck in front with the best view ever going down the tiny British roads and it felt like we were going to get in a crash at every corner and passing car. We ever got so close to a lady that she had to jump out of the way.

Day #20 - 21: Perth to Inverness

After having our first full rest day of the trip, it's time to get back out there. But I wished we had more rest days on this trip; one of many regrets I have chalked up. I still wake up sore and achy but soon after a few minutes of riding in the morning all the aches and pains go away. That's why almost anyone can do what we're doing.

Sometimes we ride on some great, quiet bike paths.

If I were an engineer I may have been a structural engineer. Bridges are all neat.

See look how neat this one is. 

I lament the 1,000s of times I didn't take my camera out fast enough to snap a pic of a coolo building or neat landscape or of something silly the Brits write. This one I snapped behind me as I had already passed it. I don't even know what the the building is for but it's all rich.

There are so many yellow flowers this time of year. When Holly and I were in this area 4 years ago, it was July but I don't remember seeing any of them. They sure brighten up the landscape as we pass by and with the chill in the air from the cold temps, it makes me think that it's fall. Now I want it to be fall like I'm some depressed, lonesome person.

Look at all these great SODAS I found! They're all good, especially that chilli one.

He's being a good little boy.

Checking in to our hotel in Kingussie that gave us three beds!

She's the sweetest.

Lots of tourists were taking pics of these ruins as we rode on by.

Found this neat park where another couple was touring with their kid. Naturally, we all judged each other to see who was the better cycling family. 

He eats so much that we have to carry a lot of milk and diapers.

Everyone kept asking me if this was AI. I assure you the forest was real.

It was cold and rainy atop this summit. The Scots have odd words.

I love this style of bridge with many arches. 

Look at those furry cows. It's their mascot up here because I see that animated face all the time.

Best children. If I were a better dad then we could have more.

We stayed at this AirB&B in Inverness where Holly whipped up a really good bean burro casserole. We had grown tired of British food and snacks and this hit the spot. All we needed was hot sauce.

Happy 8 months, Joaquim!!!

Day #16 - 19: Carlisle to Perth

We get behind schedule, then caught up, then fall behind again. It's a cyclical like doing your laundry or other housework. You're never done and you can't just rest.

At least we haven't had flats for the past few days. The bike paths have been pretty good, too. Every day calls for the famous 20-40% chance of rain. Sometimes we get soaked and other times we manage to stay dry.

My favorite is just hearing the kids talk as I ride. When Joaquim wakes up from his nap, Lily Rose says, "Hi Joaquim, hi Joaquim, hi Joaquim, hi Joaquim!" and it's the best thing ever. Then they laugh. Lately, she's been snuggling up to him when they nap 💞.

The Bean is hanging out in Gregg's to escape the cold.

Look at this neat clock tower. That has a soul.

Hotel life! Can't get tired of it. At least, I hope not.

Me and the Golden Wok.

You guys like my coolo Batman glasses? Yes.

Scottish scenary.

I thought this was my dad at first. 

Some of the gas stations here are pretty good! They got toys and play areas for the kids.

Nice view this afternoon as we rode through the countryside.

I love how she's snuggling with Joaquim.

Livingston has so many bike paths! I loved it.

And there are a lot of dedicated bridges, too. 

See, check out this rich trail we were on.

This is the bridge crossing from Livingston to the other side. They have three bridges, one for the train you see right there. We're on a bridge for bikes and construction vehicles and the one behind us is for cars.

These outdoor laundromats are...interesting. Gone are the days of sitting in a laundromat for hours!

Finally, a decent pub instead of hotel restaurants heating up frozen meals.

But this hotel had an excellent breakfast. 

I stayed behind with the kids in the hotel for the day while Holly went to the hospital to be treated for a miscarriage. It's the worst and now all our plans have changed. I hate this.