About Us

Bike Riding Kyoto Japan March 2013
Peter riding on a street lined with Apple Blossoms in Kyoto Japan, March 2013

In 2013 we flew back to Chiang Rai Thailand and rode to outside Bangkok. Then we returned to Sri Lanka for a month and ended up with our bikes in Japan. In 2012, our trip was six weeks in the Philippines, then flew to Hanoi, Vietnam and rode to Chiang Rai Thailand via northern Laos for two months.

Our goal is to rate all our bike trips, describe the rating, include photos, route descriptions, road stories and “for what it’s worth”. We have finished the “25 best places to bike in the world” (except Morocco, can’t find our notes) and hope to start on the United States summer of ’07.

Peter & Sally in Dominican Republic 1979 (Note: flight bags bunged on back rack for luggage)
Peter & Sally in Dominican Republic 1979 (Note: flight bags bunged on back rack for luggage)

Our intention is to find the best bicycling throughout the world. We’ve been doing this for over 30 years, and have visited more than 60 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, South America and North America. Every time we encounter other bikers, especially on highly rated trips we always asked, “Where are your favorite places to bike?” and we go there. This method has proven successful. For example, who would independently come to the idea of biking in Uganda, Sulawesi, Sri Lanka or the Philippines? We’ve also suffered through Java and Namibia. Even there we discovered some good biking.

For more about our adventures, please navigate our Web site. Here you will find maps and useful information for use in cycle touring, wherever the road may take you.

Peter Blommer

2003 - December - Pacific coast of Chile.
2003 – December – Pacific coast of Chile.

Travel comes first and is still our motivation. Biking is just the means to a better experience. Before we biked we suffered through the vicissitudes of 3rd world transportation and now feel its more comfortable and rewarding on bikes. We’ve had our knees pressed against the bus seat in front of us and we’ve been 24 hours behind schedule (Afghanistan). We’ve fought back our urges to join the rest of the passengers in creating a flow of puke on the floor of a bus as the gleeful driver took it as a challenge to get a vomit quorum (Columbia). We found delays, discomfort, inactivity and no spontaneity. Finally for us, the world of backpackers and well-beaten paths is not mandatory. Yes, we see the highlights but in between we stay in out of the way places where seldom is seen a tourist or backpacker.

We are always looking for the best places to bike and generally we are touring for 30 to 90 days 3 times a year in different regions of the world. It’s become part of our lives and we love it.

Peter wrote Biking On Bike Trails Between Chicago and Milwaukee in 1997 (updated in 2003).

Sally Blommer

2004 - trip Santiago Chile to Florianopolis Brazil - Argentina from Aconguija (Buena Vista) to Concepcion
2004 – trip Santiago Chile to Florianopolis Brazil – Argentina from Aconguija (Buena Vista) to Concepcion

We spent a year, our honeymoon in 1970, hitchhiking around the world. We developed a rhythm and comfort with constant change. After we returned home, our vacations felt as if we were just looking, not participating in the travel experience until we discovered bicycle touring.

Our first bicycle tour, in 1979, we flew with bikes to Tupelo Mississippi, birthplace of Elvis Presley (we didn’t know this until we got there). We rode right out of the airport with small flight bags bungeed on racks over the rear wheels. We were treated to meals in cafés and invited to a wedding dance.

We were privy to information reserved for the locals. When we stopped at the general store we were told, “Old Hal’s still (bootlegged whisky) was hit by the Feds on Friday night, but Elmer’s is operatin.” A “tourist” would drive up and the locals stopped the banter, became silent and acted shy. Once the “tourist” was gone the banter picked up again, we were given messages for the next store “not three miles down the road” and backslapped off the porch.

We are independent travelers who have found that bicycling is a great way to experience the world.

Background

2004 - Argentina - Cachi (2280 meters) to El Carril  - A World Class Downhill
2004 – Argentina – Cachi (2280 meters) to El Carril
– A World Class Downhill

Peter graduated from Georgetown University in 1962. He and Sally married in November 1969. Together they traveled the around the world for the year of 1970. Since then, Peter and Sally have made their home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Peter went into the ice cream and restaurant business in 1973 and still owns and operates The Chocolate Factory restaurants in Milwaukee. Sally worked in the travel business as a travel agent and later as an owner of a successful travel agency in Milwaukee from 1971 to 2001. When a friend introduced them to cycle touring in the late 70’s it fit like a glove. This web site is the culmination of their 30 years of touring by bike all over the world.

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