Tim Lankford aka BT (Big Tim) and I (Mike Kneafsey) left O'Hare as excited as two kids on the trip to join up with John and Will Lankford and do one leg of their 5000 mile incredible bicycle journey across Europe to raise money for disadvantaged young men's education. Next stop London where we had a layover before our next flight to Vienna. The layover was long enough to meet with my cousin Jim Kneafsey. He was born in Ireland and now lives in London. He met us at the airport. It was a short meeting, unfortunately, before boarding the plane for Vienna. We arrived in Vienna and were met by John and Will. They immediately took out a bicycle chain and cut a bracelet size length to go around each of our wrist.---The Empowerment Bracelet--- which both of them were wearing. It symbolizes the reason for their trip which was to raise money for these young men. I must say when you spend a week on a bicycle and sleep in hostels at night you really get to know the people you are with. John and Will were a joy to be with and very determined young men. Their parents Tim and Sally have good reasons to be proud of them.
We un-boxed our bikes and assembled them and boarded a train into the old town of Vienna.It was our first afternoon in Vienna and it was raining. We had checked the weather forecast and had anticipated at least a few days of this weather but someone's prayers were answered because it was the last day of rain we saw during our trip.
We checked into a hostel in the old town of Vienna, cleaned up and went out for our first beer in Austria.
On our 2nd day in Vienna we got up early, had breakfast and headed out for a day of sightseeing. I had a friend who was with the Jewish Museum. Her name was Dr. Felicitas Heimann and she was director of the Museum. She was very happy to see us. We had a private tour of the Museum and a lecture which everyone enjoyed.
Day 3 We took off on our 1st day of biking heading toward the Czech border. The hills were more challenging for BT and I but we toughed it out.
It was a great trip and John and Will were very accommodating for the two old men they had under their charge.
Its also a trip I will remember for a long time because of John, Will and Tim. Thanks for including me.
No comments:
Post a Comment