Finish Line!!! - David

Hello all,
We finally arrived to our final destination...broken bikes, broken spirits but at the end it was all worth it. I must admit I feel a little sad because we had to cut about 400kms from the trip (train ride from Cannes France to Barcelona Spain), but it was necessary to stay healthy and move on. Overall it was one of the sickest experiences of my life (granted it tested me to my limits in all aspects). I bet I will continue to do this kinda trips but in the future I will have a better/larger budget so I can stay in hotels at least 75%(+) of the nights.
Here is a little of the time line of the trip, as I wrote in my journal:

Days 1-3
These days were spent in the German Austrian Swiss and Italian Alps, the first day we had cold rain for about 64 miles. The second day we made it to Austria and had snow for the first part of the day...The 3rd and 4th days were better weather into switzerland and Italy. Once we made it to the end of the alps we had a 30-40km downhill into ´Lago Di Como¨for our first camp night were I had a crazy dream and openned my eyes to see a friend standing over me (not Pete)...It was crazy scary.
Days 4-7
ITALIA - it was amazing arriving and staying in Italy the people the beauty and the madness of the roads around Milano. We tried to go into Milan but after no answer from friends we decided to bypass the city and trek south to the coast. The uniforms were so stinky and dirty that people were really looking at us weird but once we talked about out treks we ussually got free beers or water ;)
Around Milan I got hit by a car...I was surprised I kept it upright but then again I´m a frigging cat...A day later I almost got hit again but slammed the roof of the car with my hand and almost got into a fight...trust me I was ready but homeboy saw the cromagnon in me those days...I think dirt makes you stronger.
Day 8
We finished Italy and hoped to go into the land of the tour the France and have a good time....NOT!!! My bike broke and had to spend stupid amounts of money to get it fixxed and once that was done we rode to a cool hostal were we saw the US loose to Ghana...thats fine...too bad it was in france and all the froggs hated me for rooting for Tim Howard and company.
Day 9
We started the ride with low spirits and made a wrong turn into a highway, got pulled over by the french police and once all that was over we had lunch and decided to get out of france and go to our friend´s house (Juan) in Barcelona, and to go and see my Grandma and Spain beat Portugal 1-0....happy people in Spain = Good news for Pete and David!!!!
Day 10 & 11
More train travels and a 0kms day in Barcelona....que belleza de ciudad!!!
Visca el Barça!!!
Day 12
Back on the bike got lost in Barcelona but with ´high´spirits found the way and started to trek south fast and long to make it to Malaga...the end is near.
We camped and told our selves that will mostly camp on the way to Malaga except when spain plays so during the victories nobody messed with us while camping, and also to see España WIN!!!
Day 13-14
Solid riding along the coast of Spain we thought that it would be a good idea to try and make a straighter line inland to shave some miles but after asking the locals we went back to the coast and followed it to Malaga...and camping on the beach is better. The only night inlad was the worst of the entire trip with the neighboring dogs barking all nite and moquitos eating us alive....HATE!!! and only 3 hrs of sleep...ok now get up and ride 90miles son!!!! ´your gonna love my nuts!´
Day 15
Norml ;) ride but this night we stayed in a hotel where they washed our laundry and we saw Spain beat Paraguay 1-0...Viva España...and as you know happy spanish drivers means good news for El Pedro y El Davido.
Day 16-18
two more days of camping on the beach (an abandoned pool on the side of the road and a nice beach in pto. Mazarron facing the mediterranean sea...1st no good, 2nd great)and meeting people who, as we know, thought we were Crazy...but ohh well not news for Pete or I. on the 18th Petes tire blew and we were fortunate to find a local cyclist who gave us a free tire....thank you Familia Maña!!!
Day 19
Spain plays tonight so we know we are staying in a Hotel on our last night and after riding some more mediterenean roads we found a family owned hotel...whos owner is a roadie too and hooked it up, but once again Spain won and beat Germany 1-0 (thank you sooo much Puyol) and then again Spain was filled with happy drivers woop woop!!!
oohh and I got stung by a bee on my forehead, nice...
Day 20
The last day was longer than expected but it went by fast and the last 20 kms my dad was there to greet us and ride the last about 20k with us.

Overall it was great and Pete is a good traveling partner granted he is truly an athlete and who can help SJRCC get a TTT national championship. Overall the word that comes to mind is Stoked!!!

Thanks for reading and for your support....I now go to watch the tour and go for a bike ride!

Love,
DSP

We have lots of pics but its taking forever ill do it in a later time when the internet have less users

Update from Spain-Peter

Hello Everyone!!!
Well, we arrived in Malaga, Spain on Thursday and were greeted by David´s dad with a huge meal and a few beers. Since our last update we have not had any internet access that was free (we camped a lot the second leg of the trip) and paying for that just seemed silly to us both-considering that we are not rich and need our money for other things. The trip ended up being 1400 miles total...and was a real challenge for us both. France proved to be less than likeable. Broken bikes, harrassment by the police, and rude people were abundant. After 3 days and a lot of frustruation in France, we jumped a train to Barcelona, where we stayed and enjoyed our first 0 days of the trip. From Barcelona we followed the coast all the way to Malaga...9 days at about 80-90 miles per day. Camped all but 2 nights. Spain is beautiful along the coast-but rugged and a lot of mountains...which meant long days climbing and descending along the shoreline. Our second to last day we rode through the section of coast where the Sierra Nevada Mts. meet the ocean...Crazy long climbs at tough gradients...Have pictures but will show all when we return home next month.
Got to be here for Spain winning the world cup...which was a special treat. people went nuts!!!!!! Now enjoying some cool things in and around Malaga- Pablo Picasso museum and local food and "treats" a´plenty. We plan on getting back on the bikes and doing some local rides this week with a few of Davids friends-who have been awesome to hang out with. Hope all is well with everyone and sorry again for being a bit slack on the blog...will update from Amsterdam our last few days of the trip. Umtil then...
finally done pedaling-Peter

The ocean!!! - David

I feel like fausto coppi...riding my bike across europe and smoking cigarretes...not the best way but i surely feel like a local (low-cal)...we are about to leave and wanted tosay byebye. We may put about 70 more miles in but who knows after a nite like last!!
Ciao bellisimos

Leaving for the coast- peter

After a good night in ciglione we are headed
to the beach!!! Most of our hard climbs are
behind us (until the pyrneese). Looking forward
to the usa gme tomorrow. Will update next
time we have internet... Anne-miss u and peeing
on your jellyfish stings is a sure fire way to
cure them :)
Pedaling- peter

Update number 1- peter

After a few great days i munich, david and i have covered a lot
of ground. Our first 3 days were dammed with freezing rain and
snow as we crossed the alps, but now we are enjoying springtime
in northern italy. Temperatures are beautiful and we will be at the
coast tommorow. My body is holding up great...but it is definitly a
challenge trying to keep up with "tree legs" david. I try to act like
its no big deal but it is still tough...i always feel like i have something
to prove. We have been killing our expected average and we are
stoked. Currently we have 417 miles. Miss and love all my family
and friends... Wish u could b here. Un besos
pedaling-peter

Viva USA - David

Ok we just finished the 6th day with our hardest climb yet. After 90miles we went uphill for another 7, it was great and pedro once again proved his status as natures freak. We have had some great times from the freezing dolomites to the summer heat of la Italia. We have only camped once and i had the weirdest dream of my life!!!. Yesterday we saw the US game in a bar in Invuerno (ita) and the owners of the bar were stoked with PeacePassers and RealDeal to the point they were chearing for le Uniti Stati and buying us rounds. Tomorrow we make it to the mediterranean sea and follow the coast to Malaga. My aquiles tendom and my knee on the right side are the weakest links, but i know they will hold another 20 days. We bypassed Milano because we werent able to reach our friends...I am having a really good time and look forward to enjoy the miles ahead. Now we are in ahostal in the middle of a valley in the way to the coast and it has wifi...we cannot upload pics through the phone, but believe me there will be a bunch once we get to a real computer. Much love and Peacepass!

I would take a sec to thank Jens and Maria Arimond who keep helping with directions and hotels finds along our way. Lilo too!!!

Thanks tothe followers as well!!!
Love
DSP

Manana

Beer...tomorrow Bicycle!