Chips for salt

Hangry in Sweden

Not familar with hangry? Well if you ever get angry when you get
hungry then you know hangry.

In a post about Copenhagen I mentioned how things are open late and
there are a ton of people out. Just so you don't get confused, that
is ONLY in Copenhagen and not the rest of Denmark or Sweden. As I
biked through the countryside yesterday and today from Copenhagen to
Leberget, SE to Glimminage, SE it was impossible for me to find
anything to eat but a gas station pastry and a ferry pre-packed
sandwich. So last night when I got to camp I ate my pre-packed
sandwich with a few m&m's and went to bed hangry.

Then this morning I woke up early and decided to start pedalling. I
left camp at 6:30 and was hopeful I might find a good breakfast
place. Well, those hopes were crushed as I biked from town to town
where everything was closed and no one was outside except for an
occasional farmer or jogger.

Eventually I found my way to Rabocka camping in Angleholm where I
learned restaurants don't open until 11am on Sundays. I don't know
how the Swedish do it but I like my breakfast before 10 at the VERY
latest.

Fortunately Rabocka had a camp store. The choices were sparse like
might be found in communist Cuba but at this point food was food. I
got chips for the salts I sweated out, 3 pastries because those were
the only ones left, a bottle of mineral water because that was my only
choice and a little thing chocolate drink.

Mark
B.














http://oklacolo.blogspot.com

Powered by Nutella

Yesterday in Copenhagen at the hostel I had my favorite Nutella for
breakfast. If your not a fan of the creamy chocolaty hazlenut spread
then that's OK because it means I will not have to share with you.

In addition to the Nutella I had several coffees, orange juices,
cheeses, meats and hot fresh breads for my jam and Nutella. That may
sound like a lot of food and it was but if I had known it would be my
last meal for 26 plus hours and 100 miles of biking I would have
forced down a couple more servings.

OK ESN:0-7341053

Bike touring Denmark and Sweden from 240409 thru 030509.
ESN:0-7341053
Latitude:56.2455
Longitude:12.8545
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:04/26/2009 00:43:54 (US/Mountain)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.2455,12.8545&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

OK ESN:0-7341053

Bike touring Denmark and Sweden from 240409 thru 030509.
ESN:0-7341053
Latitude:56.2246
Longitude:12.6573
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:04/25/2009 23:27:19 (US/Mountain)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.2246,12.6573&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

OK ESN:0-7341053

Bike touring Denmark and Sweden from 240409 thru 030509.
ESN:0-7341053
Latitude:56.0322
Longitude:12.6158
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:04/25/2009 11:30:30 (US/Mountain)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=56.0322,12.6158&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

OK ESN:0-7341053

Bike touring Denmark and Sweden from 240409 thru 030509.
ESN:0-7341053
Latitude:55.9616
Longitude:12.4098
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:04/25/2009 09:33:38 (US/Mountain)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=55.9616,12.4098&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

OK ESN:0-7341053

Bike touring Denmark and Sweden from 240409 thru 030509.
ESN:0-7341053
Latitude:55.6648
Longitude:12.5295
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:04/25/2009 06:39:19 (US/Mountain)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=55.6648,12.5295&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

iJetlag continued

iJetlag continued

It's was 11pm in Copenhagen and 3pm in Colorado or 35 hours since
getting up in Colorado. During those 35 hours I at most slept 5 hours
because for some reason airline seats are designed for people a lot
shorter then me. Thus the thought of sleep was very exciting even if
we were in a hostel room with six other snoring travellers.

I fell asleep quick but by 2am I was up. I had not drank any water
since the airport 12 hours previous. I tried to ignore the thirst
because I had no water with me and I did not know where to find any.
Eventually the thirst won and I left the hostel looking for something
to drink.

Unlike Colorado, Denmark does not shut down at 9pm or even 2am. So
even though it was after 2am, the streets were still abuzz with bar
goers and bikers. After a couple quick blocks I came to a 7-11 and
bought myself some juice and water to drink. The next 15 minutes I
stood outside 7-11 enjoying my drink, watching the people and checking
my iPhone.

I then headed back to the hostel and that is when things went from
amusing to embarassing to vengeful. While walking back this short
little guy with dark skin and hair grabbed my arm and started
talking. He pretended to be drunk while he confused me with his
jibberish and stumbling. I continued walking and soon enough he let
go and was gone. Then 10 steps later I felt my pockets and noticed my
iPhone was not there. I quickly checked my other pockets but it was
not there either. In desperation I turned around hoping to see the
guy who just confused me but he was long gone and all I saw was a
street full of drunk bar hoppers.

Now let me ask you. Have you ever been swindled, taken advantage of
or down right robbed? If so, what kind of feelings ran through you?
I can tell you the feelings that ran through me. First it was loss
because something I owned was gone. Second it was embarassment for
being so foolish. Third it was vengence for being taken advantage of.

With vengence on my mind it was impossible for me to head back to the
hostel. Instead I walked up and down the street I had just been
robbed on. I looked in the bars, the restaurants and side streets but
pickpocket was no where to be found. I had no idea what I would do if
I found him but I had a similar experience in 2005 at the Zurich train
station which resulted in me confronting the local forgein pickpocket
who the police then arrested and found with almost $2000 in stolen
property.

However in Zurich, the theif only attempted and nothing of mine was
actually stolen. So while I was also vengeful in Zurich, my vengence
in Copenhagen reached a new unseen level. I was ready to confront the
guy on the street and fight him if necessary. But after several laps
up and down the street an hour had passed and I was convinced the guy
was long gone. I started heading back to the hostel and on my way I
flagged down a Danish police car. I told them what happened and
preceded to give them a description of the guy in hopes they might at
least prevent future pickpocketing. While I was doing that, I saw the
guy who robbed me cross the street and enter the 7-11 where I bought
my water and was later robbed near.

I pointed him out to the poilce and they followed him into the store
then brought him back out. I stood to the side while they questioned
then frisked him. It was not long before they started pulling things
out of his pockets and making a pile. Once they were done, they
called me over to look at what they had found. In the pile of stuff,
there 6 phones plud several IDs and credit cards. Obviously I was not
the guys only victim but I was the only one who knew what he did and
was not willing to let it go. So even with me standing there, the guy
still claimed my phone was his. But after unlocking it and showing it
to the police they believed my story and gave me my phone back. I
then hung around until the police arrested the pickpocket and hauled
him off.

With my iPhone back, I headed for the hostel hoping for some sleep.
Unfortunately I was so wound up from the nights events that I never
did go back to sleep. But to night, I am hoping to sleep well from
either complete exhaustion or the satisfactionn having my iPhone back
and helping the police arrest the pickpocket.

Many thanks to the men and women of the Copenhagen police. You ROCK!!!

=====================================
Mark B.

Software Engineer
Java, #C, Web Services, ...

Adventurer
Snow, Dirt, Travel, ...

http://oklacolo.blogspot.com

oklacolo@gmail.com
=====================================

iJetlag + iPhone + iPickpocket = iPolice

Before I begin the iJetlag story, let me tell you about Copenhagen
because it's a beutiful city even if I did have a miserable first night.

Brian and I arrived in Copenhagen yesterday afternoon from Denver.
Both of us were tired from the flight but we wanted to see Copenhagen
before heading to Sweden. After some initial confusion and the
purchase of three train tickets from the automated machine we were on
the train from the airport to Copenhagen city center.

The trains run every 10 minutes, allow bikes and got us downtown in 12
minutes. Both of us commented on how cool the train was and how we
would ride a train if Colorado had something similar.

Any reservations I had about bringing my bike were instantly
eliminated on my first step outside the train station. In every
direction you looked there were bicycles. There were new bikes, rusty
bikes, strap bikes, cart bikes... with equally unique riders. However
my favorite riders were the ladies in skirts, stockings and high heels.

Once my excitement from all the bikes subsided we made our way to the
CPH hostel. By the time we were checked in it was 5:30. I took a
quick cat nap then joined Brian on a four hour self guided tour of
Copenhagen. First we hit Christhaven which is a STRANGE wanna be
hippie commune. Second we walked the canals which were lined with
side walk cafes and people drinking beer. Third we walked through the
Kings fort which is a cool walled fortress surrounded by a huge water
filled moat.

After all that walking we were hungry and started looking for food.
There are a ton of restaurants but finding something to eat was
somewhat difficult. Many of the restaurants were to swank and
expensive for us. When we finally found one we ending up leaving
because the service was so bad. Then the next place we tried was
closing. Finally we found a popular mediterainan buffet with salads
and pastas. We ate our fill there then headed back to the hostel for
some much needed sleep.

Joi saves my bike

I sware, I did my homework. I called all the airlines looking for the
best deal including flight and bike shipment. Eventually I settled on
SAS because their flighs were comprable and they were the cheapest for
shipping a bike at $100 each way.

Well you can imagine my disbelief when checking in with United and I
was told it would be $200 each way. I argued, then I cursed and
eventually I walked away I was so pissed.

What do you do when the airline has you bent over the barrell? I
called SAS and then United but they were no help. Both told me the
shipping costs depend on the airline checking your luggage. So even
though I booked through United, SAS was checking my luggage and thus
the fee would be $200.

For several minutes I debated my options. Is biking in Denmark really
worth $400? Do I leave my bike and try renting? Do I forget biking
altogether?

I eventually decided I had done to much and come to far. So I went
back to the ticket counter hoping my return trip would be $100 since
SAS would be checking my bags.

Lucky for me, another ticket agent was now working the bike counter.
Her name was Joi and she booked my bike for only $100. Thanks Joi!!!
You saved my bike and made my day.

Sunny in Denmark and Sweden

There was some debate if late April and early May were to early for a bike trip to Denmark and Sweden but it looks like the weather gods are blessing me. The weather should be sunny with highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s. I think it sounds like perfect biking weather.

Bubbles are good

It's 9:02AM in Copenhagen or 1:02AM in Colorado and my bike is wrapped in bubble wrap and ready to go.

Everything seen in the picture is going in my "custom" cardboard box from Peak Cycles in Golden.

Boxed items include: 1) bike, 2) wheels/skewers, 3) pedals/wrench, 4) seat, 5) locks, 6) tools/pump, 7) camelback, 8) helmet/head gear, 9) gloves, 10) shoes, 11) spot?, 12) tape, 13) tent, 14) sleeping pad, 15) sleeping bag, 16)1st aid kit

36 hours to go... I am so READY!!!

Improve keg-hefting with tooth filing

Like most families, my families has it share of family stories. It can sometimes be hard to tell reality from fiction but this weekend I was reminded of several stories.


While waiting on breakfast at the "Orginal" Hard Rock Cafe in Empire, I looked around the cafe. In the west room they are building a new entrance and had several panorama murals. I remember the murals from childhood when they were located in Empire's Redman Hall. The murals depict life of the early Empire valley settlers and one mural was particulary interesting because it is about my Swedish relatives who I am visiting later this week.


The mural did not have a label, but I think "Tall Tales of Lindstrom" might be fitting. It featured the Lindstrom homestead/brewery, several men, an ox-team, a wagon full of beer and notecard about Lindstrom.

In case you can not read the postcard, this is what it says.

"Lindstrom's brewery, due west of Empire, made beer from hops imported by ox-team brom St. Louis. The brew was dispensed in five gallon kegs. These kegs, weighing approximately 60 pounds when full, challenged brawny miners and loggers who worked nearby at Lindstroms's saw-mill to lift them from the ground with only their teeth gripping the bung. Competition was keen. But Paul Lindstrom was the champion keg-hefter. He conditioned his small, but strong, teeth for the sport by using a carptenters's file to keep every tooth at the same level."

Smuk bla himmel dag - Beautiful blue sky day

Old man winter combined forces with spring moisture and blessed us
with 3 feet of late April powder. It's beautiful but my psuedo tele
legs are screaming mercy!!!

Skane and Beyond

Sweden is where one part of the family came from many generations ago and now it is my turn to visit where they came from.

Swedish Tourism

1. http://www.visitsweden.com/sweden/
2. http://www.skane.com/cmarter/cmarter.asp?doc=1367

Swedish Camping, Cabins and More

1. http://www.skanecamping.com/english
2. http://www.visitsweden.com/sweden/Accommodation/Accommodation-guide/Camping/

What's it cost... $, DKR, SKR, EURO

Both Denmark and Sweden are members of the EU but they still have their own currency.


http://www.exchange-rates.org

Danish Cookies and Such

Where the years go, no body knows...

But more years ago then I want to admit, I took a bicycle trip to England. That trip involved biking the canals of England and Wales while sleeping in canal boats. Then more recently I took another trip to Europe that involved bull dodging, bike cheering and camping in 11 countries.

This next adventure of mine, will combine biking and outdoor camping, two things I truly love. And as the adventure countdown turns from weeks to days, I continue to find new information that makes me even more excited about the adventure.

For anyone who wonders why someone might want to visit Denmark on a bicycle, then they probably don't know about Danish cookies and such.

Danish Cookies

1. http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=3Tzut&page_id=97060&v=3i

So it's been confirmed, Denmark does actually have Danish sugar cookies but where do you sleep and what do you see? Well, they make it easy in Denmark with an abundance of websites in English incase you forgot your Danish.

Danish Tourism - Free Your Dane :0

1. !!!CAUTION - bare Danish arses are best viewed at home !!!http://www.visitdenmark.com/uk/en-gb/menu/turist/turistforside.htm
2. http://www.visitcopenhagen.com/
3. http://www.cph.dk/CPH/UK/MAIN/

Danish Camping

1. http://www.visitdenmark.com/uk/en-gb/menu/turist/inspiration/kampagner/camping-in-denmark.htm
2. http://www.danskecampingpladser.dk/camping/camping.nsf/0/C0D5AA951AC4BCE6C1256FC8003351E2?OpenDocument

Danish Ferries

1. http://www.visitdenmark.com/international/en-gb/menu/turist/transport/faergeruter/faergeruter.htm

Hostels and BandBs

1. http://www.danhostel.dk/content/us
2. http://www.bbdk.dk/

My first day in Denmark will involve flying into Copenhagen, unpacking my bike and biking 40kms north to Helsingor, DK. In Helsingor I hope to camp(7.50 Euro) and catch a ferry(26 Euro) to Helsingberg, SE.

Helsingor camping and ferries

1. http://www.danskecampingpladser.dk/camping/camping.nsf/0/3a0809a9258b09aec1256d380076939d?OpenDocument&s=uk
2. http://www.helsingor.dk/campingpladsen/camping2_GB/index_gb.htm
3. http://www.hhferries.dk/Home-246.aspx

Other general tidbits

1. “vaerelse” signs are seen on farmhouses with rooms for rent
2. “dagensret” daily meal special

OK ESN:0-7341053

Biking to work with touring gear. Pre Sweden test ride.
ESN:0-7341053
Latitude:39.6021
Longitude:-105.1531
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:04/10/2009 08:59:40 (US/Mountain)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=39.6021,-105.1531&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

A Cold Test

My bike tour is less then three weeks away. The bicycle has been fit
with the help of Scott Geffre at Tri and Fit and now it is my turn to
get the bike loaded and tested.