We ranged in age from 21 to 69. We hailed from New England and California, the Midwest, and the South. Every one of us was from a different background. Still, there was an instant bond because we were all gay, we loved being outdoors, and we enjoyed bicycling. This was not a surprise to any of us.
Shared interests lead to shared experiences.
And they also lead to great little finds on the antique store shelves of rural Europe. So we didn't end up with that amazing armoire for the guy from Philadelphia. But I did end up with a fabulous little enameled coffee pot and a couple of silver French teacups. And after that wine with lunch at a cozy little cafe along the way, I didn't even notice that it was difficult to keep the haul of antiques balanced on the handlebars. Then again, I wasn't trying to get a delicate birdcage home, either, like the guy from New York was.