My Blog
Script for Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC)
My name is Robert (Bob) Fletcher, and I am 79 years old; and I want to tell you a bit about myself and the adventure that I have planned to celebrate my next birthday. I spent thirty years as a teacher with the Edmonton Public School Board. I enjoyed every...
Review of Thule Easy Fold xt-2
I purchased this rack five weeks ago and have been a little disappointed with it. My main disappointment is that it rattles and is noisy. I put a clamp on the hitch which stopped the noise from there but it still rattles from the mechanism that lower and raises the...
Serendipity
A beautiful bay A couple of days ago, I was riding on a quiet country road here in Costa Rica. I have ridden and driven this road on many occasions. As I was cycling, I noticed a dirt road on my right. I wondered where it led, so I stopped to think about checking it...
Electric Bike, is it Cheating?
The other day I was cycling up a steep hill very slowly in my eco setting when a young, fit couple passed me quite quickly. As the climb progressed and got more vertical, gravity slowed them, and I decided to boast my power. I soon caught them and passed. As I was...
Costa Rica Coastal Ride
Now that I am back in Costa Rica, I want to share some of my training rides. From where I live, I have to ride on the Pan American highway if I want to depart from my home. However, that is not my favorite road to ride if I am heading north as the traffic can get...
The Mallorca Finish
This solo cycling adventure has concluded and after a long day of flying, I have arrived home. Thinking back on the past two weeks I really enjoyed the trip even though it starts d with a two-hour weather delay. The island of Mallorca is a special place with beautiful...
The Tramuntana Mountains
I have spent the last three days riding in the Tramuntana Mountains. They are rugged and hug the coast. The climbs are long but doable. The road surface I was smooth and the traffic was light. My days were not long as I wanted to stay in the beautiful towns of Port de...
Mallorca Classic Ride to Cap Formentor
On September 15, I headed off to Cap Formentor, one of the top five road rides in Mallorca. This route probably sees the most bikers because the views are spectacular, it is close to a major city, and 9 km are closed to cars. A few ebikes but primarily beautiful,...
Mallorca Photo Gallery
Days Three and Four Mallorca
As I cycle counterclockwise around the island, I am amazed at how many marvelous beaches I encounter. Even if the shore is rocky, the colors of the sea are spectacular. I made the day short as the hotel I selected was right on the beach, and I wanted to go for a swim....
Let the Journey Begin.
Today I leave the hotel and begin my solo unsupported excursion of Mallorca. My panniers are plenty big enough to hold everything I want to take as I navigate around what I believe will and has been a beautiful island. The bike shop, Embat, where I rented the bike...
Beaches and more Beaches
I arrived in Palma de Mallorca and spent two nights in a hotel across the street from the beach. The beach is vast, long, and clean. The water is turquoise, green and blue, and warm. This area is a significant tourist destination, and one of the main euro generator on...