Al, I'm curious to know if Odyssey riders worked out plans to vote in the Presidential election. Did they have difficulties with the process? Is there very much conversation about the current situation
regarding the counting of votes?

--Kay McKnab, Emporia, KS

I haven't heard of a single soul who voted. We really didn't have access to the campaigns so maybe others felt as I did, that I was too uninformed to vote.

Is there a budding romance happening between you and Alan???? (Enquiring minds (ok, nosy ones) want to know...)

No, we're just good friends.

What is your high score after a "good" game of scrabble???

--Christa Scheibley

Anywhere from 275-360.

I was wondering how you handle the money thing? Is a VISA debit or ATM debit card with a checking account most useful to withdraw cash at ATMs? What brand of VISA debit is most useful? Cirrus, Plus etc? I would think most places in Europe have ATMs. Then, are U.S.D. travelers checks most useful in places that do not have ATMs?

I have used only one card, a VISA debit card which is a Check Plus. It is not a Cirrus card, but Cirrus is very popular. I have often thought that it would have been a good idea to have a back up card, but I have been lucky so far that my card has always worked in the ATM's. I've only had to go inside a bank once to get money. [At home, Craig reconciles my checking account, transferring funds as needed to maintain a reasonable account balance.]

Do you know of any people or organizations offering self paced tours? We cannot afford most (for profit) group tour bicycle trips we have found offered in Europe. We are planning a trip on our own now, but don't have much European travel experience and would like to find recommended bicycling routes and ways to reduce the hassles of language and of setting up accommodations.

--Marvin Butler, Racine, WI <mbutler@ttcsp.textron.com>
[Perhaps some of our readers might have suggestions for Marvin.]

I would suggest checking out the Lonely Planet guides. Everyone who has gone off route has used that and maps of the areas, some of which have very good bike path information. I can't really recommend any one person or way. Sounds like you are checking out lots of different resources and that's the advice I would have given you.

How did you get connected with Craig to do your web work?

--Phil Lawson, Minneapolis, MN

Before I left for the Odyssey trip, Craig convinced me that I should have a web page. I resisted a little, wondering, "Who could possibly care about me and what I did?" So being his idea, of course, he volunteered to set it up and maintain it.

I am not computer literate and really have no interest other than the basics and e-mail. I had no idea (and I don't think he did either) that it would become this popular.

At one time I asked him three questions:

1. Did you ever think my page would become this popular? No
2. Did you ever think it would be this much work and so time-consuming? No
3. Are you sorry you suggested it? No (Whew!)

I am extremely grateful for all the work he has done and I have met some pretty fantastic people through my web page.

Once again, thank you Craig for believing in me enough to encourage me to have a web page and for maintaining it for me.

Went out to my bike this morning and what do I see, a banana in my DRG holder. It never ends. I gave it to Alan, assuming he'd want it back. Of course, he pretended to know nothing about it.

I rode out of camp in a big bunch, not having anyone in particular to ride with. Hooked up with Ed and Willma for a couple km. Then Alan came along and I tagged on to follow for as long as I could. Ended up riding all the way in with him. He had to slow down a bit on the hills for me (last 40 km) but I did pretty darn well. He always rides alone and never waits for anyone so I felt honored that he'd wait for me.

The scenery improved today when we got into the hills. I actually enjoy riding the nice rolling hills because it allows me to use a variety of muscles and seat positions. I get bored on the flats.

We had our last real choir practice tonight. We had to have it in someone else's room because we had no air conditioning. It was cooler outside than in our room. After dinner, the resort moved us to another room. Thank goodness.

Several riders rode 225 km today but we bailed out at the 125 km bus ride point, as did most. Too darn hot to go that far.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.

Mileage: 77.7 / 9,254.0 (Today / Cumulative) [KM: 125.0 / 14,892.9]
Elevation gain: 1,650 ft 

Woke up to pouring down rain again. But by the time we left, it had stopped. I rode with Alan and Margherita to the ferry, fast and furiously. We were the 4th, 5th, and 6th ones there and soon after we arrived, it dumped again. We just lucked out. Once on the ferry we hooked up with Dave and played Euchre for the hour trip. Then we had another 5 km to the hotel. I cleaned 3 bikes and found the ATM and photo shop before checking into my room.

While on the ferry, one of the riders asked if Alan and I could sing a wedding song for her for the fashion show tonight. She wanted to model her wedding dress, complete with bridesmaids and wanted some music. (The choir had been scheduled to sing at her wedding in Hawaii before the trip came to an abrupt end.) So Alan and I had to come up with a song and practice. Poor Alan has had a scratchy throat for three days and today it cracked every once in a while so we had to play with keys to find just the right place so he could sing. It wasn't our best but we did OK.

Then I spent a little quiet time before the choir "run through" practice. I lost it at rehearsal and had a laughing fit when Alan's voice cracked big time on a solo. It was just too funny and I could not keep a straight face. However, he did fine at the performance. The choir was well received and they did a great job. I was proud of them. We even received a long standing ovation.

The fashion show was a hoot, not the usual to be sure. And dinner was good. We also got to see video number three, which in my opinion is the best so far. So most riders stayed up until the end of the festivities since this was the last night for all of Odyssey to be together, as we know Odyssey. Everyone seemed to have a good time.

Riders start leaving tomorrow as early as 6AM and will continue to trickle out of Singapore for the next three days. Sad for sure.

Mileage: 25.2 / 9,279.2 (Today / Cumulative) [KM: 40.5 / 14,933.4]

Again, Malaysia struck me as being more developed and 'less third worldish.' Very beautiful country and the people went out of their way to welcome us in every town or resort where we stayed. The people are proud of their country and had tours set up for us every day.

The beach resorts were very nice, many of them very new and definitely destination oriented.

As we traveled south, we got closer and closer to the equator so it became hotter and more humid every day. And the rain followed us. Places we had been became flooded just a couple of days after we were there.

Malaysia had more western world influence and it was much easier to find services and familiar food. Squat toilets disappeared, for which we were thankful.

We tried to sleep in but were unsuccessful. Hard to break old habits, I guess. Denise, Margherita, Organist Bill, Alan, and I took taxis to the mall for some quick shopping. Lasted less than two hours and we were so efficient. We even got there before most stores were open. We just needed a couple of things and soon got bored with the shopping scene.

Came home and tried to relax, used the internet, repacked our New Zealand bags which finally arrived mid-afternoon from Hong Kong in preparation for going home or wherever. Dinner was outside at a local restaurant. Then came back and wrapped our bikes in preparation for the commercial flights we are all taking now.

After waking up at 3AM, I never got back to sleep. When the alarm went off at 5:30AM, I was so glad to be able to get up. I went with Alan to the airport and said goodbye and then returned to the hotel. I did OK until my taxi driver started talking to me. He jabbered all the way to the hotel. I went to breakfast, thinking that being with other friends would make me feel better but I lost it temporarily.

My impression of Singapore is of a city that has its act together. Beautiful, clean modern buildings and not a piece of trash anywhere. Four million people there with a great bus and train system. I only wish I'd had more time to explore the city itself. The architecture was some of the nicest I've seen and definitely the best in Asia.

The area uses four different languages but English speaking people are everywhere making it a very friendly place to be.

There is such a contrast between Singapore and Hong Kong and I guess I expected them to be very similar. The only thing they have in common is the large number of people in the city.

We were finally served dinner on the plane about midnight. I was so tired, yet so keyed up. I am still missing my friends -- just knowing they aren't here to talk to. I had many late night discussions with Alan and could always talk about anything. It always helped me to relax.

I did get about three good hours of sleep and then they served breakfast. We lost three hours in time changes so the night was really short. I was feeling like a zombie when we landed at the new time of 7AM.

57 riders plus 12 staff flew into Sydney but we had to stand around and wait to get boarding passes to New Zealand (NZ). We were divided among four different flights from Sydney. We needed proof that we had a ticket out of NZ before we could get a boarding pass and for some reason, there was only a list showing we'd bought return tickets. We don't actually have the tickets themselves. So there was a delay in getting our boarding passes. Fortunately, most of us had a 10-12 hour layover in the Sydney airport so there was time to work out the bugs.

I was going to try to leave the airport and check out the town since I didn't get to do it when we were here before but it was such a hassle with customs and getting back for our tickets, etc., I just decided to stay in the airport and kill time. I played scrabble with Sandy and Elbert. Started nodding off and almost fell off my chair so decided to take a nap.

Used the free internet service available in the airport lounges. We got into Christchurch at 11:40PM, NZ time, and finally got all our bags and settled about 2AM. Denise and I took advantage of the free washers and dryers here at the university dorms and did laundry. We've both been doing our laundry by hand for the last 6-8 weeks so we figured they were due to be washed properly.

The weather is glorious here, cool and not humid. I'm excited to be here and back in our tents tomorrow.

Another short, short night with only four hours of sleep. Had to get up and go to breakfast and then load gear and be on the bus by 10:00AM. I tried to read but dozed a little but not enough to say I had any real sleep.

We had one big bus and a couple sag vans for transporting our small family of riders. When the bus voted to stop, the last person on was always cheered and made to feel like, "Where have you been?" The camaraderie is really close and no one dares to rock the boat. This is one tight group of people. The mood is good, people are smiling, and we're glad to be here in New Zealand.

I had a great night's sleep in my tent. It was cool and we woke up to clear skies and gorgeous views. Couldn't ask for much more.

How many riders are continuing along with you and TKA for the remainder of Odyssey 2000? How many will continue biking but not with the TKA group? How many decided just to fly home from Singapore?

--Margaret Kelly, Minneapolis, MN

57 riders signed on and paid to finish the year with TKA. There are only four couples continuing. I'd say about an equal amount went off on their own to see New Zealand or other parts of Asia. The majority went home early.

What is the status of the Rose Parade now? Is the group still going to lead it and are many that went home coming to do so?

--Pat Minshall

As far as we know, it is still a go, but in light of the fact that the entire group would not be there, there has been some speculation as to whether a small portion of the original riders would be welcome. We are still planning on it at this time.

There are a few people who have expressed their intent to return for the Burbank finale party and to ride the parade, but only a very few.

Since you're now a pro in "biking in the rain" what kind of rain gear do you suggest?

--Pat Shirley, Minneapolis, MN

Well, in Asia, I didn't use anything because it was so warm. But in cooler places like New Zealand, definitely good rain gear like Mountain Equipment Co-op jackets or other Gore-Tex jackets are a must. Cheaper ones just don't keep you warm.

I'd say if you are going to buy something and think you'll use it a lot, go for the best. My mistake was in trying to get by with cheaper (and inferior) gear.