OMG I can't believe how lucky I am

This via Francigena which I will be cycling later next week was original documented by the bishop Sigeric, who journey from Canterbury to Rome (via France/Switzerland over the St. Bernard pass) a thousand years ago. My journey is shorter and mainly from Rosalinda's house (a dear fellow pilgrim whom I had met on my Camino de Santiago in 2006) in Milan to Rome.

Tha would be 787 km instead of the 1900 km from Canterbury. I am so happy and honoured to be able to start from her house (or her albergue de peregrinos as she calls it).

When Rosalinda found out that I would need to get 2 things when I get to Milan, she went ahead and got me those ahead of time without my asking. The bike (with rear rack and bottle cage) and local SIM card is there waiting for me. I really owed her a lot, especially the effort on her part to get them. You are an angel Rosalinda!

 

Yes, it's the same budget MTB from Decathlon that I have already have here in Singapore (so no learning curve) which I plan to sell (or donate) upon my arrival in Rome. It's much easier for logistics than to bring one's bike on the plane and also cheaper than rentals.

Now all I need to do is to get off my a** and start packing. I keep forgetting that it's  different than packing for a walk.