To Amsterdam
Good News: There are always bike paths where you need them.
Bad News: We took the wrong path to Amsterdam.
Good News: It was straighter and shorter than the one we were planning to take.
Bad News: It was along the freeway with little scenery.
Good News: Amsterdam is an unusual place, lots to see and do.
Bad News: Amsterdam is a big city, crowded, people in a hurry - which is why ...
We had our first, second, and third accidents!
First, we've already noticed that the bike paths are not set up for a tandem towing a trailer. We're just too long
and have too large of a turning radius. So Jon negotiated a narrow passage a little too closely, and caught one of the
trailer wheels. But no damage. We ended up having to walk the bike a lot.
Second, we ended up in a really busy part of town on the south side, and entered a small road. A car came in behind
us and hit the trailer wheel. He stopped, yelled something at us in Russian, but it looked like the wheel survived so
he went on.
Third, while we were inspecting the wheel, the bike fell over and another vehicle hit the front end. Luckily, since
Bike Fridays are supposed to come apart, that's what it did - instead of breaking. All we have from that one is some
scrapped handlebar tape.
However, when we finally found a hotel, we discovered that the trailer wheel had 8 small cracks. After finding
out that the hotel's phones don't work for the computer modem, we went to an internet cafe to send pictures back to Bike Friday.
We were then able to call as they were opening in Eugene.
They said it needed to be replaced, and gave us the name of a local distributer where we might have the part sent.
However, on calling Enno (the distributor), we found out that he does have the wheel! Not only that, but he had seen
us in town already and so told us that, "the Amsterdam Bike Friday community knows we're here already! :-)
So, we will be meeting him tomorrow to get a new wheel - and we'll be ready to hit the road again in a few days.
But for now ... Amsterdam!
