Day45, 3016km: Brussels, Belgium.

VISIT WITH JEAN-FRANCOIS: We're sitting on cushy seats and wearing ripped jeans after riding 75km today. I just heard a champagne bottle open in the kitchen. We're showered and ready to hit the town. It's nice to be in Brussels, Belgium, the de facto capital of the European Union (EU). Outside, happy hour is brewing among the young professionals. This is the 7th country on our ride from Greece to England and we're here with good friend Jean-Francois (regrettably wife JC is back in the US). While we're here, John and I have promised not to use her 'gray bottle shampoo'. There is a pile of Ikea furniture in the living room, evidence of their moving in from Alexandria, VA earlier this summer. Earlier today, we crossed the 3,000km mark from Athens. We'll probably pedal another 1000km before arriving in London for the flight out on August 21.