Have a care with Garmin - they are starting to put data behind a subscription so you should assume in future it’s a subscription based hardware purchase. This means a) the hardware may now look overpriced and b) you can look at rideanalyze or strava or training peaks as alternatives to Garmin a connect plus. And they are stronger in some areas.

Thx Inxtx - evry day is a schoolday (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magneto-optical_drive)

What is the space underneath the floppy disk drive thing for? And how old is the picture do you think?

No idea about piracy …, but Kobo is definitely your go-to for any file format.

Cool cafe Also you are doing all this without suspension. I started a tour in Italy last year on my hardtail, but it was a bit punishing as the trails looked like yours. I’m going back in June. It taking my fully in touring-bike mode (tent on the front, drybag strapped below the saddle bag. I think it’ll be ok)( I just have to carry less)

Good call for the early rest day, and kudos for fessing up to the badass photo (although in truth the whole journey and all the photos are actually badass). Nice report. Please write more while you wait for food - it feels like one of my trips and the story is almost as good as being there. Except the beers.