9. RVYC Cyclist Quiz

By Don

“Dennis, the RVYC cyclists wouldn’t make it two days here in Estonia.”

“Geez Don, that’s a little hard, why would you say that.”

“Well, I find it painful, they wouldn’t be able to deal with it.”

OK RVYC cyclists, this is a quiz. Why would I say that? To make it easier lets cover the more obvious reasons so that they can be dismissed.

1. The cycling is hard with steep climbs. No, it is very flat.

2. The roads are poorly maintained with well worn asphalt, potholes and gravel sections. Nope. Roads are amazing. I wish the asphalt was this smooth at home.

3. No shoulder to ride on, heavy traffic and crazy drivers. Well, you do have to pay attention to the road you select to ride on, but other than a few short distances we have either had shoulders or so little traffic it didn’t matter. Also there have been bicycle paths to get in and out of the larger towns. The drivers are exceedingly polite. Even on roads busy with trucks they make sure you are given room.

4. The scenery sucks and there is garbage everywhere. Wrong. The greenery is lush. The small population means you are either going through forests or farmland. The ditches are clean, the farms are emaculate. It is a very beautiful country.

5. Paldiski turned out to be one of the better looking towns making it no fun to spends nights. Wrong again. I had Paldiski pegged. It was in a league of its own. The towns we have cycled through or stayed in have been attractive and interesting.

6. The distances are too long. No, how far you ride is up to you.

Give up? Well you can’t. Post a comment with what you think it is. If you figure it out the prize should be obvious.