Hi! I'm Cody Bahlau. I grew up in Michigan, studied geology at the University of Michigan, and now live in Colorado. I work as a marine science technician and expedition leader aboard the R/V Marcus G. Langseth, a research vessel operated by Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. My work has taken me around the world, on land and at sea.
This fall, I'm trading the deck of a research vessel for the seat of a bicycle. I'll begin in Casablanca, Morocco, travel north to the Strait of Gibraltar, cross from Africa into Europe, and continue through Spain toward Santiago de Compostela before heading to Vigo and the Langseth. Along the way, we'll experience the geography, landscapes, history, food, and cultures of Morocco and Spain. In Spain, we'll follow historic routes to Santiago de Compostela, meet modern-day pilgrims, collect stamps along the Camino de Santiago, and encounter Roman roads, bridges, and towns that show how long people have traveled these routes—long before bicycles, GPS, or modern maps.
Traveling this far by bicycle will bring plenty of challenges. Weather, hills, navigation, mechanical problems, food, water, and deciding what to carry will all be part of the expedition. We'll see what happens when plans change and how problems get solved along the way.
Eventually, we'll arrive in Vigo, where the Langseth will be waiting in dry dock. With the water drained away, the ship will rest on large blocks while crews work on parts normally hidden underwater. We'll get a rare look at the Langseth completely out of the water before the journey ends.
Over the coming weeks, I'll bring you along with photos, videos, stories, and live conversations from different places along the route. Bring your questions and curiosity. We know where we're starting and where we're trying to end up, but part of any good expedition is discovering everything in between!
