~ Preparations ~ Week 1 ~

~ Monday ~ 
~ Remember water ~

I woke at 6.30 for my regular 30 minute meditation, followed by the healthy home made yoghurt, fruit and cereal... Best start to the day, a clear mind and happy stomach :D

My day on the road started at 9:30, I arrived back home at 12:45 in time for lunch. During that time I made several stops the first at the post office, second for a toilet and tea break, third to buy more water (note: should carry a minimum of 2 litres) and the fourth started as a quick stop to buy some 'miele' (honey) and ended in agreeing that I would come to help out for a few hours when I am free... Great opportunity to enhance my knowledge and skills of self sufficiency!

After a stretching and lunch break, my journey continued in the form of my regular daily ride to and from work 1 hour and 10 km each way. Apart from the short section of full on heat and no water, the day was pretty good. A total of 5 hours pedalling, 51 km covered, a fresh pot of honey and an enhanced tan, I feel this week has started well...

Averaging 10 km per hour, my end of day analysis is that I can complete 60 km per day over 6 hours. Lets see if I feel the same by the end of the week <3 nbsp="">

~ Tuesday ~

~ Life on the edge ~

Who knew that on the edge of Rome, just at the end of my very long street, you can find a beautifully secluded, quiet and natural area to cycle through!? I did not ... Now gladly knowing this road, I will for sure be taking it more often. For anyone else who likes cycling or nature walks this is one to try, I'm sure you could even find a nice spot for a picnic! What a perfect place to take a break from the busy city centre. So from leaving my house at 8:10 and arriving at 9:45 on the farm for my first morning of volunteering, I had discovered this street, been offered pizza and a beer by a passing driver - gratefully declined, and travelled 13 km at a pace a little slower than yesterday ... there was so much to take in and my legs are a little tender from all these km's! By this evening though, between jobs, I have completed a total of 47.1 km in all of 5 hours cycle time and taken home a few little goodies from the farm ... Not bad.  

~ Wednesday ~

~ Listen to your body ~

Today my body is crying "what are you doing!? This is too much for me!" and so I've had to admit to myself that I have been overdoing it, after all it is only week 1. Riding between work and pushing myself to do the kilometres as fast as possible is only going to end in injury. Not only that but I was convinced I had to complete the blog daily, share everything on facebook, have the plan all mapped out all at once! Wow, I love when I see myself ... this people, is the ego, say "hello ego!" 

Note to self ~ Remember to stay present and relaxed in everything you do!

More specifically my knees and and lower back have been aching, so I'll be eating more of the foods that help bones and muscles, Iron, protein and calcium rich food. As well as focusing my stretches on the lower back and knees. 24 km in 3 hours today spread out between work on the farm and babysitting.    

~ Thursday ~

~ No pressure ~

After letting go of the need to have everything under my control and done to the highest possible standard! I have had a lovely day, my lower back was really feeling it this morning, so I took more time stretching and less time on the bike. I spent half an hour in the park, then half an hour on the bike along the River Tiber, Rome before stopping to do my morning meditation, then riding for another half an hour to joining my friend for a fruit filled breakfast :D Yummy! 

After breakfast, I received a Shiatsu massage, which released all the tension in my spine, ready for the ride to work and home after work. So I spent a total of 3 hours on the bike today completing 24 km.

The cycle route along River Tiber goes all the way through Rome starting from Viale Guglielmo Marconi. I haven't reached the other end yet, I'll add it to my list of routes (unfortunately I can't get the route on google maps) 

~ Friday ~

~ A day of rest ~ 

Today I have taken a break from the Bike and focused my energy on the route planning for the trip, I have sent messages through couchsurfing. This is what the first part of the trip looks like ... 

Cycle for a cycle journey plan.

Times are calculated at 8 km per hour...

Toulouse, France -> 33.6 km / 4.2 hrs -> Poucharramet, France

Couchsurfing EVTYCIA – Call Eva 1 week before arrival and inform them of anything I may need (water). Food and bed included.

Poucharramet, France -> 141 km -> Pau, France -> 164km -> Pamplona, Iruna, Spain -> 194 km -> Burgos, Spain -> 96.5 km -> Palencia, Spain -> 47.6 km -> Valladolid, Spain -> 116 km -> Salamanca, Spain -> 121 km -> Almeida, Portugal -> 110 km -> Idahna a Nova

To keep me motivated and inspired I've been listening to the Life you tube channel Inspirational music soundtrack :D 

When you start a project, there are so many things to be discovered, the idea is just the start. As you move through each step the details come to the surface ... Life is a lesson <3 comment-3--="" nbsp="">

~ Saturday ~

~ A work day ~

Today there was a lack of preparations, I worked pretty much all day, cycled there and back which was approximately 14 km in total ... Still bike <3 p="">

~ Sunday ~

~ Critical Mass Rome ~

I woke up this morning with an urge to go to the beach on the bike. I called my friend to see what she was up to and she informed me that the Critical Mass event was taking place today from Piramide to Ostia ... AWESOME! I packed my bag with food and water and set off on my merry way, completing 10 km before reaching the starting point, I then met a few thousand people ready for the cycle <3 a="" about="" battery="" borrowed="" but="" camera="" died="" event="" facebook="" follow="" for="" from="" group="" guys="" href="http://www.tmcrew.org/cm/" i="" if="" information="" more="" my="" nbsp="" page="" photo="" see.="" some="" the="" then="" to="" unfortunately="" want="" you="">this link

 which should lead you to the website. You can also check out the Facebook group page Critical Mass Roma where there should soon be a load of pics and videos <3 1="" 80="" :d="" a="" also="" and="" any="" are="" be="" best="" better="" boom="" bucket="" couldn="" couple="" day="" end="" enough="" festival="" from="" going="" got="" have="" i="" in="" it="" km="" lucky="" meet="" nbsp="" of="" p="" people="" s="" say="" t="" that="" the="" thought="" to="" toulouse="" travelling="" was="" week="" when="" who="" with="">