D -2 and still packing

In about 2 days from this writing our first flight will be leaving Madison for Chicago, en route to Spain. Three of us, Tom Rickner, Dan Graff and I are flying together
via Chicago and Madrid to Bilbao, Spain. There we will meet up with Pat Scheckel and Murray Schukar for what's been dubbed "The Basque Bros Road Trip." Over two short days we'll visit Bilbao, where we'll overnight in an AirBnB, then drive a rental to Gaztelugatxe, Guernica and San Sebastian, all on or near the
Bay of Biscay, or the inside elbow where the west coast of France meets the northern coast of Spain. We'll finally bus to Biarritz, France, where we check in with tour at our first night's hotel on Wednesday, Sept. 6. There we'll be fitted on our rented bikes, get our jersey and kit bag, and instructions for starting our ride the next morning. And once we commence cycling, our 6 days on the road will follow these route summaries:
A close look at the road itinerary will reveal some shocking daily distances and elevation gains-- yikes! Fortunately we have a guide riding with us, and two sag vehicles with food, water, mechanical support, and passenger seats to transport anyone unable or unwilling to make the mileage à vélo. 

But back in Madison, I'm nearly packed and ready to go. 

Crammed inside my regulation carry-on are two changes of cycling clothes, helmet and rain cover, bike shoes and covers, pedals, rain jacket, gloves for warm or cold weather, bike computer, front and rear blinkies, knee and arm warmers, shades, sunscreen, electronic devices and chargers, a change of street clothes and sandals, toiletries and meds, passport and id's, noise cancelling earphones, and all under 10 kilos. After packing, biking 700 km and climbing 12000 m will be easy(er).

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