“When everything is coming your way, you’re in the wrong lane”

Please watch the Relive video here: https://www.relive.cc/view/v1vjdgg1VJ6

Just like in the film Groundhog Day, the alarm goes off and I go down for a double espresso and a danish, then the usual juice, oatmeal, fruit and yogurt, eggs, bacon, cheese and toast and another double espresso. But today the script changes; the bags are now re-packed and move to a new hotel, the 71 Nyhavn! It’s actually only 300 metres from where I was staying, but there is a canal in the way that needs portaging around on cobbles. But this show is about to start!

Check-in, then unpack the bike, install the mounts for lights, phone, bell and GoPro, inflate the tires and put the bike up with rubber side down.

Meet my fellow riders, I know two already, friend Rae from Australia and fellow Canuck Barb from home! And two more Canadian expats, George originally from PEI and Janice originally from Nova Scotia. Homework assignment: memorize all names by 6pm. I keep telling myself I can do this.

Light lunch, hand out the T-shirts I carted over, kit up in our new purple and navy kits and finally, we hit the road! A short one today, 30+ km, to check that all bikes are in working order and adjusted. 21 riders, 5 guides, Sam, Henrick, Julie, Charlie and Christiana.

Above left: Christiana, Charlie and Henrick…Middle: Julie…Right and below: me and my buddy Rae….and to the left, some local came in a little too hot!

So, on the road today: only 30km/19mi I Elevation 76 metres/ 249 ft

A true Copenhagen local’s experience today as we took to the famous bike paths to head out to the island of Amager. Our first and last 5km were all bike paths, partly along the canal systems and we got a great taste of Copenhagen life, so dominated by the bicycle. This was an experience we will never forget, and we have to do it again tomorrow when we head away from the city centre of Copenhagen to our next destination. If you think you are experienced cycling with packs of cyclists on cobblestones, THINK AGAIN! I never seen so many bicycles being ridden, there is actually a bicycle rush hour!! (look at Relive above).

Then we reached Kalvebod Fælled, also known as Vestamager (a little easier to pronounce!). An area which consists primarily of reclaimed sea bed, it was dammed and drained during the 1940s to serve as an artillery training range but now is home to parkland, over 1200 deer, cows and horse and many bird species.  
Back to the 71 Nyhavn, shower, drinks and dinner, a routine we will follow for the next month.
Dinner tonight was at a Michelin star restaurant for a 5 course meal and 5 wine pairings

Would love to know how the pastry chef piped the meringue on all these desserts individually! It was delicious!
Bedtime will be earlier and earlier as we progress north, even though daylight will remain! Below photo is at 10:30 pm tonight and it was still light out ( and we haven’t started far north yet!!)

Life is still good in Copenhagen!