MONDORF-LES-BAINES, LUXEMBOURG
Yesterday I traveled from Basil, Switzerland to the main airport in Frankfort, Germany. Travel was easy except for returning the rental car in Basil at the train station. Which train station, as they have two.
I took the Deutsch Bahn train from Basil. Somehow it lost an hour on the schedule to Frankfort but was an excellent ride. When I got off the train at the station I was dreading the walk to the hotel. I was pleasantly surprised to see when I got above ground that I wasn’t really in the airport itself but the extension where my Hilton Hotel was.
I checked it, took my luggage to my room, and went to find the Roosters who were already there. I reacquainted with some and met some new people, all part of Roosters Racing, an International cycling team dedicated to doing good, riding hard, and living well.
Rufus, Bill, Bob
My bike, which had been missing for a week, started moving yesterday. I first saw the movement on my phone tracking the AirTag. Shortly thereafter British Airways texted me like they “found” my bike which I knew where it was exactly for five days. But for the first time in a week I could fall asleep at least knowing my bike was found. They would send it to Luxembourg.
At breakfast I was able to recount my story for the Roosters. It was the first time in a week I was relaxed. I checked Twitter and saw a reporter, Julia Buckley, had commented on one of my tweets and told me to follow her so she could send me a direct message. I did, she deleted her comment, and then offered her help in finding my bike. I told her that the bike was moving and thanked her. We talked some and she offered to write an article about this once the bike actually makes it.
We boarded a coach for the three hour trip to Luxembourg. It was inadequate for our group plus luggage. We had to load some bike cases on the seats and I’m not sure where mine would have gone if I had a bike to transport.
I was tracking my bike and saw it was at the Luxembourg Airport and then it made it to the hotel.
We arrived and I immediately went and found my bike. I was anxious to open the case and make sure everything was still there. We all went and built our bikes but I was the only one to go for a ride.
I didn’t ride far. I could walk to France from the hotel which was about 100 meters away. By road it was about one kilometer to ride to the French border.
We met our leadership team and, in Rooster tradition, exchanged gifts.
After introductions and just a little time to get settled, we would have our first official team meeting.
We would have a team meeting each evening where Buffalo Court would be held. Anyone caught doing something stupid would be awarded a “Buffalo” and have to chug a beer. Exceptions were made for non drinkers.
At Buffalo Court there was the initial oath that pertained to never drinking alcohol with the right hand. Danny had everyone stand. “Now sit down if you have shaved legs.” The hairy legged monsters were left standing. And had a Buffalo.
Our week would be spent at the Mondor Park Hotel and Spa. We stayed here in 2019 and it was great to be back.
