Today was the last day of cycling scheduled during my 2 week visit, luckily I was able to join Phil for one last hurrah. Keith successfully fixed his bike just in time for me to borrow it again. Thanks dude! I was glad to be able to cycle again and was feeling excited, since the route seemed easy on the map. Hopefully, the weather would hold up and Keith’s back tire wouldn’t pop under all my weight!

We started off cycling through the town, which was daunting for me as I am not the most skilled cyclist. Thankfully that lasted for only about 3km and then we reached the safe cycle paths. See VIDEO 1 to be impressed by my navigating skills.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itwCDU4rmC8

The bike paths were so smooth, and the scenery was awesome! Some parts felt like we were cycling through a jungle. I think I set a decent pace, but then I came across my nemesis: the “slow you down barriers.” Phil hoped to capture me bumping into them, but I just missed crashing by an inch or two (see VIDEO 2). #skills

Out of the “jungle,” I heard the howl of a strange animal and exclaimed, “Is that a monkey?!” Phil confirmed that it indeed was a monkey and for the next ten minutes I switched form being sceptical that he was playing a trick on me, to being so amazed that there were monkeys so nearby (see VIDEO 3)! Come to find out, Phil is a big fat liar. It was just some sort of bird.

When we weren’t cycling between forests, the path would open up to reveal France’s beautiful countryside. I couldn’t stop thinking that it looked just like scenes from Beauty and the Beast, so then the movie soundtrack was stuck in my head for most of the ride, and I kindly serenaded Phil with a few lines. He pretended not to be impressed, but then he tried to get me to sing for the camera, so I think he secretly loved it. See VIDEO 4.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9_OJ6P8y1E

Phil’s poor little neck started to ache under the weight of the GoPro attached to his helmet, so I stepped up to the plate and switched helmets with him. As you’ll see from the footage, I am not cut out to be a broadcaster or narrator. But I got some cool video of Phil pedalling along on his merry way, which I think his fans would appreciate. Tune in to VIDEO 5 to hear us fail to master the voice command of the GoPro. Keith put us to shame!

It has been really great joining Phil and his family on this leg of the Bath to Rome journey. I’m headed back to Korea in two days, and I will really miss being here. I’ve enjoyed helping out with the cooking, camp set up, etc. and I’ve loved witnessing Phil actually doing this thing that was once just an idea that he told me about one random morning in Korea. Most of all, I’ve been so impressed by the support of his family, who have helped him out with every aspect of this journey. I’m very proud of them all!