I really hate packing. And for this trip, there was a wrinkle.
A few people have asked how we’re managing luggage on bikes. There’s no “luggage van” riding ahead of us – everything we need we will carry in saddlebags called panniers. We’re packing light and doing laundry on the road.
So do we have to pack in panniers and fly with them strapped to our hips?? No.
I don’t even own panniers – I’ve been training with a borrowed set (thank you, Bruce!) and will rent them with the bike in Denmark. I’m flying with a regular carryon suitcase. The kind on wheels. Lauren, in her think-of-everything brilliance, has booked the same Copenhagen hotel for our first night and our last. And she’s already arranged to leave our (mostly) empty suitcases there.
So no problem, just stuff a carryon and decide there what goes on the bike.
Except at the last minute, I learned that Scandinavian Airlines WEIGHS and MEASURES carryon suitcases. And the limit is 8 kg. That’s about 17 lbs.
The lightest suitcase we own is 3kg empty.
I really do not want to check a bag. A colleague recently shared a nightmare of a lost luggage story and I refuse to spend 8 hours on a flight literally losing sleep while I wonder whether my bag is on board.
This evening has been an exercise in subtraction. And committing to a backpack I hope will pass as an under-seat purse full of overflow. And new enthusiasm for trying Danish toiletries.
My luggage is now closer to its Weight Watchers goal than I am. There’s still a whole day before I go, for more shuffling and swapping. My panniers will be light. And maybe I can justify a little shopping for something clean along the way.
I’ll be checking a bag on the way home.
Back to Class
Lauren is back in the classroom – sharing Denmark’s rescue story with her students.
The Mystic Seaport – Preserving the Gerda III while Showcasing Her Amazing Story
Lauren here. This is my first post. Melanie was in charge of the blog while we were traveling together, and I am so thankful to her for all the work she put into it. This blog…
Random Reflections
Some thoughts from the long trip home.
On Course
All roads led here, and it’s where we hoped to go.
“Second to None”
A story very few people knew until recently.
Right Place, Right Time
Being in the right place at the right time led to a perfect, personal story.
It’s Different Here (in Aarhus)
Aarhus through a historian’s eyes
We Made it Through the Rain
We pedal faster when we’re cold and wet!
Miles and The Extra Mile
Today we started our 2-day ride from Gilleleje to Aarhus. But first we took one more spin around Gilleleje. We set out to find the rest of the city’s plaques, but we found much more. Yesterday…
It’s Complicated
Collecting stories, memories, objects…and many many layers.
Reaching the Heart
For the last fifty miles, people have told us to go to Gilleje for the story…and now we’re here!
Talking to Strangers
Talk to strangers. The stranger, the better!
Make it Personal
Because stories are what make us care.
Context
Today was our first real day of study-tourism, and we started with some background. Jewish context We began the day at the Danish Jewish Museum. I’ve been admiring Danish architecture since we got here, and this…
First Impressions
They say you only have one chance to make a first impression, and Copenhagen does not disappoint. It’s beautiful here! Even the SAS plane was gorgeous, flight attendants in crisp uniforms with pillbox hats throughout an…
Worrying, Waiting and Wondering
Things were going too smoothly…
Better Together
The part of this trip I’m looking forward to the most is traveling with an old friend.
The Big Question
The millions of questions swirling in our brains all support one big question.
Testing Travel Tech
This might be a disaster, but it’s only a test and better to know now!
Training Wheels
I must really want to go to Denmark, because I don’t sweat on purpose, and I have a very low tolerance for pain.
We Have a Map!
Planning this trip has been surprisingly easy, geographically speaking.
The Backstory
Pedal to the Past? What is that, anyway? Who’s doing all this pedaling and where are they going?
Pedal to the Past 
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