Friday, July 07, 2006

The adventure begins- The flight to Geneva



The alarm went off at 4am which meant the adventure had really begun. Our riding partner Diane showed up at 5am to pick us up and shuttle us to LAX. We arrived in plenty of time. All our anxieties about shipping the bike were put to rest when the hospitable American Airlines counter person asked us to roll the bag down the hall to be whisked away…it was that easy!

So much for 9 hour flights with two stops. Business class was nice with good food and some nice wines. See for yourself. We landed on time in Geneva and were pleased to see our bike waiting for us when we arrived at the baggage claim area. We were greeted with on and off rain showers but warm temps. Hopefully this is not what we will have for next 15 days.

Bike assembly was easy until I found out that my derailleur was not working properly so I asked Glenn Erickson, the frame builder, tour leader and owner to help me out. Come to find out my packing skills were a bit shall I say sloppy and the adjuster was broken for derailleur adjustments. Glenn had another one but also noticed my drop out was bent (way to go million dollar Bike Pro bag). Glenn being a custom framer builder had brought with him his frame tools and was able to align the drop out resulting in perfect shifting. That’s why you go with the pros.

We did a group dinner at a local pizza place, not bad. It was a wake up call warm, humid and indoor smoky restaurant conditions.

Tomorrow will bring a “tune up” 30-40 mile 3,000 foot climb. More to come….

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glad you made it safe and sound. Look forward to hearing about the trip.

Char

Anonymous said...

Impressive. If the pictures and recap are this good at the start. Just wait 'til the riding begins.

MJV

Anonymous said...

glad you had a nice flight (nice picture maria!) and easy check-in with the bike...have fun with the biking!!

jan

Anonymous said...

Ferris..you're my hero!
thank your lucky stars that you had assist with the bike.
how bout some assit with that humidity?
thanks for the Birthday call.

Anonymous said...

Hello T-B&G ,
We need Jura and Savoie Wine recommends'
Please keep notes..as if you do not have enough to do huh?
Comment ca va le Chevre et Vin?

Anonymous said...

Hey bro'
Run into any stray "Chiens Miserables" along the roads yet?
I had trouble with a couple loose mean dogs when I rode "a retour Lake Geneva way back when..
"Hey chien.. meet my little friend... Mr Bike pump!
then pedal real fast.
Oh and do not forget the cobblestones.
Any thunderstorms yet?

Anonymous said...

Say "Monsieur Internantes"
what are you going to do when you cannot find an internet cafe in small towns?
We are addicted and need our T&G blog fix.
encore fotos sil vous plait

Anonymous said...

Looking for Diane or is she the one behind the camera?
KJM

Anonymous said...

yeah ,
where is Diane?
Maybe she is "apportez" fresh blood..just like The Tour riders?
Heck, with the high heat,you may need a little blood doping.
Training in 70-75 degree-OC coastal breezes,climbing Top of the World 2x or Solvang, is simply not the same,huh?

Anonymous said...

I'm looking forward to your next update. Tell Diane happy birthday from Catalina!

Anonymous said...

mayday,mayday,
T B&G...can you read?
T B&G...come in
mayday mayday,
perhaps it should be..
"Broken Arrow!
The Heat has GOT to be taking a toll
power back and survive.
We are rootin' for ya

Anonymous said...

Alo Monsieur Tandem et Madame Tandem....
vee are soooo sorry zat zer ees not enough internants cafes..
Our country ees backwards een zat way..
your blog fans weel hav to entair tane zemslves een other ways.
French Internet Bureau
FIB

Anonymous said...

A oui, MonsieurTandem...
you are tortured like Jean-Valjean in Les Miserables...only you and Madame Tandem are the Miserables..riding in heat and altitude.
Ah the heat... it is your Javert..always present,in relentless pursuit.

Anonymous said...

Keep a eye on mark, those frenchmen love skinny american men with no hair. Be especially wary in the bathrooms...

Anonymous said...

Good to hear cell fone connect is A-ok..too bad those attendantes at the FIB ( French Internantes Bureau) cannot wire their country so the blog could be updated.
"sooo sorry Monsieur Tandem,zee internet ees,comment dit-ons...a malade du coups..hope you enjoy zee French attitude!
Ah-Bon

Anonymous said...

Cancel command: Broken Arrow,
T-B & G are A-OK.

Anonymous said...

Monsieur Tandem Boy,
I hope you enjoy the French "la vie" and attiude, part of which is to suffer.
Your "Javert, The Heat, has taken some toll but not broken you.
Ah-bon.

Anonymous said...

You got to witness one impressive Tour.

Those climbs must have been brutal in the heat, but So Cal was a good training ground for hot sunny climbs. Can't wait to see more photos.

Anonymous said...

Whew!
The French heat may have wilted you into "Tandem Ma n Pa"

Congrats on survival.

Bike Fan