It seemed to start well enough when i saw Monika off for OZ and caught up Kev for an early breakfast at the airport before we started assembling the bikes starting around 7.30 a.m.
By 8.30 with Kevs bike almost complete the trouble started, first a pump that would not work then nuts that would not thread on my front mud guard ... one kept Kev going for 15 minutes before he exclaimed take that you ... ℅±√€£¥ .. in ear shot of most of the airport !
Giving up on the mudguard I then focused on ditching clothes to help the pannier fit !
By 11.00 even the airport security guards were eyeing us suspiciously as we slowly dealt with problem after problem.
Finally we set off at 12.30 some 5 hours after starting to fit the bikes !
Within 2 kms my disc brakes were rubbing on the bikes disc plate requiring another stop !
After doing a lap of Schipol (not planned) we finally cycled a few kms before the piece de la resistance - my pedal falling off having stripped the crank (was difficult to seat when Kev put it on) !
We limped into Alsmeer a beautiful town on a lake with self pedaling the last 8 kms on one pedal after being told the town had a bike shop !
It was enough to make grown men cry and could have been much worse if not for a) the magnificent weather and b) the tremendously helpful dutch cyclists who pulled over to provide guidance !
To top a great day we have been told that the bike shop does not open till 1 pm on Monday meaning a likely second night not far from Amsterdam !
To make matters worse a short walk down town in search of food showed Schipol Airport not all that far away !
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