Super Mario to the Rescue

Yesterday Fabian had to throw in the towel and had to cancel his participation in the tour, he was just not fit enough. I am very sad.

By stroke of luck Mario - a friend of mine with whom I had already done my bike-tour from Aachen to Paris - was actually willing to jump in for Fabian. I had been chewing his ear off about the tour for months, and he had already signaled that was a bit jealous. I am surprised, but he agreed on a moment's notice - after calling his parents to tell them about the plan. He does not have the vaccinations and he does not have a valid passport, but we'll manage.

This morning he got the yellow fever shot and a new passport, and now we´re finally off on this great adventure. We are leaving in the next hour and hope to reach Bordeaux by night. Wish us luck!