1 Day – Two Countries, We’re rolling

It’s very cold and frosty as we wake on the first day of Discover Our Earth. The final briefing meeting yesterday went well and every-one seems ready to go. Breakfast is subdued as the group appears excited and nervous that the moment to depart has finally come. 

The first ride is a short jaunt to Mieming Town Hall for the official send off. A grand affair with National Anthems played for each group of riders as well as speeches from the Chairman of SOS Children Villages and the Mayor of Mieming, who official starts the Expedition with wave of an Austrian Flag. 

We ride out as a group of Sixteen Bikes and one support vehicle down cold crisp and dry roads through the Tyrol and the Arlberg Tunnel to our first stop of the day. A great coffee shop with a biker theme, although in November at 1C we are the only ones hardy enough to arrive on bikes. The only Harley in sight is bolted to the wall as a display.

We have an invite today from “The Swiss Peters” to come for lunch. Peter and Peter are both riding on Discover our Earth – One on Sections 2,3,4 and 5 and one on Section 5. Their hospitality is fantastic as they open up one of their homes for us and are descended on by the whole group. Lunch is Goulash and Salad followed by home made Hungarian deserts. It is a very welcome warming feast.

The ride ends overlooking the lake of Bierlesee in Switzerland. A small friendly family hotel with a good fish restaurant. Day 1 is done, every-one is in, all the bikes made it and everyone is smilling. Day 1 – success – Now for Day 2……



View more picture from the start here.
Pictures by Alexander Segar.